Biomedical Catalyst 2025 Round 1: Industry-led R&D
Award: Share of up to £25 million
Programme: Innovate UK
Opens: 10th November 2025
Closes: 10th December 2025
Overview
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £15 million to support SMEs developing innovative solutions to major health and healthcare challenges.
The competition aims to accelerate the development of innovative biomedical products, technologies, and interventions that improve human health. Projects should demonstrate the potential for significant economic impact and patient benefit through innovation, collaboration, and commercialisation.
Scope
The competition supports industry-led R&D projects that address key health challenges, including:
- Experimental evaluation and proof of concept studies
- Prototyping and product development planning
- Safety, efficacy and clinical validation (including Phase 1 and 2 trials)
- Regulatory planning and IP protection
- Demonstrations of clinical utility and effectiveness
Projects may target any health or healthcare sector, including:
- Advanced therapies (gene and cell therapy)
- Biosciences and preclinical technologies
- Diagnostics and precision medicine
- Medical devices and digital health
- Therapeutic and medicine development
- Independent living and assistive technologies
Eligibility
Your project must:
- Have total costs between £150,000 and £4 million
- Request no more than £2 million in grant funding
- Last between 6 and 36 months
- Be carried out entirely in the UK
- Involve at least 50% of project costs by SMEs (if collaborative)
Award & Project Duration
- Award: Share of up to £25 million.
- Project duration: Last between 6 and 36 months.
Key Dates
- Closes: 10th December 2025
