Round two of the multi-million Health and Life Sciences Launchpad funding for Northern Ireland is now open and UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £4.3m for innovation activities in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland.
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with Invest Northern Ireland to invest up to £4.3 million in innovation projects. This funding is from Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme which supports the UK government’s goals for local economic growth. This Launchpad is also supporting Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) as the local cluster management organisation.
The aim of this competition is to support outstanding innovation projects led by businesses. Your business must use the funding to grow your innovation activities in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland both during and after your project.
This competition is split into two strands:
Launchpad: life and health sciences, Northern Ireland, Round 2 De minimis or Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) (this strand – £25k-£100k funding per project, single applicants only)
Launchpad: life and health sciences, Northern Ireland, Round 2 Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D) (£150k-£1m funding per project, must be collaborative)
If you would like advice about which strand is more appropriate for your project, or have other queries about this funding, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Health team https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/health/
Businesses are encouraged to register to attend Innovate UK’s competition briefing on Thursday 14 November at 1pm to learn more about the current application window.
Register now: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/launchpads/
A number of Northern Ireland regional clinics will also take place on Friday 15 November to help local businesses define their ideas and develop proposals. If your business is considering applying for the Northern Ireland Life and Health Sciences Launchpad, please book a slot at https://www.investni.com/support-for-business/innovation-research-and-development/innovate-uk/launchpad
The total £7.5 million Northern Ireland life and health sciences Launchpad is designed to accelerate innovation and growth in the local cluster of businesses connected with life and health sciences. The launchpad offers funding for businesses with an ambition for business growth and working in, or aiming to work in, the cluster.
The Northern Ireland Life and Health Sciences Launchpad is promoted by the Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) working with Invest NI, Belfast City council and across all Northern Ireland councils, working with the Department for the Economy, the Northern Ireland Office and other local partners.
The life sciences innovation cluster centred on Northern Ireland is looking to build on its strengths in areas such as diagnostics, MedTech, digital platforms and therapeutics. The funding will support projects that help drive innovation and business growth in this area.
Round Two of the competition closes on 11 December 2024 at 12 noon.
The Health Innovation Research Alliance NI (HIRANI) CEO, Joann Rhodes, welcoming this investment said: “With our drive and concentration of research and development strengths in life science, bio-engineering and innovation – it is little wonder that Innovate UK has chosen Northern Ireland for Launchpad funding.
“It is our distinctive capabilities in precision diagnostics, biomarkers and AI that help to set us apart from the rest – with world-class assets on our doorstep. These latest grants and support from Innovate UK will be transformational to help health and life sciences businesses of all sizes to unleash their full potential – and create quality, highly skilled jobs, growth, and training opportunities for our region.
“However, this is just the beginning when it comes to our ambitions for our area: this is the fastest growing sector in NI, worth 25% of NI economic output, with >£200M infrastructure investment and >£1B pipeline of new projects still to unlock. We are well positioned between the UK-EU with strong relationships in the US – and are ready to seize every opportunity that comes our way.”
Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Growth at Invest NI added: “Invest NI is committed to innovation and supporting innovative companies within the Life and Health Sciences cluster to encourage the creation of good jobs; growth opportunities and higher productivity; outcomes which the Economy Minister outlined in his Economic Vision for Northern Ireland.”
The life sciences innovation cluster centred on Northern Ireland is looking to build on its strengths in areas such as diagnostics, MedTech, digital platforms and therapeutics. The funding will support projects that help drive innovation and business growth in this area.
Successful companies could receive funding to develop innovation projects under two categories: for a single company (between £25k and £100k) or larger-scale collaborative research and development projects (between £150k and £1m) as part of a consortium. The funding will support outstanding innovation projects led by businesses which are active, or growing their activities, in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland.
The NI Launchpad for Health & Lifesciences is open to all businesses with a focus in Northern Ireland in the Health & Life Sciences sector who meet the eligibility criteria. Projects can focus on a range of areas including:
- Diagnostics, therapeutics and biomarkers
- Data, digital and medical devices
- Innovation in skills development
Businesses can also apply for projects that will focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum and advanced therapies, or novel formulation or delivery.
Innovate UK National Launchpad competition briefing
How to apply?
Interest companies must complete their application online on the Innovate UK Innovation Funding Service Platform
Innovation competitions – Innovation Funding Service (apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk)
This is one of eight regional Launchpads funded by Innovate UK this year, following successful pilots in the Liverpool City Region and Tees Valley clusters in 2022. The regional Launchpads align with the Government’s goals in the Levelling Up White Paper.
Under the life and health sciences Launchpad, companies can apply for funding for projects focusing on a range of subjects including:
Diagnostics, therapeutics and biomarkers
- multi-omics
- medical imaging
- liquid biopsy
- biomarker or genetic testing
- diagnostic or therapeutic development
Data, digital and medical devices
- point-of-care testing
- wearable or ambient sensors
- clinical trials decision support
- augmented reality
- digital health
Innovations in healthcare service delivery
- health service productivity
- integrated care platforms
- remote rehabilitation
Your project can also consider the following enabling areas:
- artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum
- advanced therapies, novel formulation or delivery
- regulation or ethics
- supporting innovation in skills development
