i4i Product Development Awards – October 2025
Award: No maximum (ambitious projects encouraged)
Programme: NIHR (Invention for Innovation – i4i)
Closes: 3 December 2025
Overview
The NIHR i4i Product Development Awards (PDA) support collaborative projects that de-risk medical and care innovations through early product development and real-world evaluation, making them attractive for follow-on funding and adoption in the NHS/social care. This is a two-stage call (outline → full if invited). Separate tracks are open for: researcher-led (2025/405) and several commissioned routes (JLA 2025/406; NICE 2025/407; Workforce 2025/408).
Scope & stages:
- Entry: experimental proof-of-concept / lab-validated tech (or, for RWE, already has regulatory approval or equivalent safety/efficacy).
- Exit: lab and/or clinically validated tech, or technologies evaluated in real-world settings for adoption.
Eligibility
- Lead org (UK-based): HEI, SME, NHS or social care provider, or not-for-profit.
- Team: minimum two co-applicants (collaborative projects).
- Project duration: 24–36 months.
- Funding level: no maximum; SMEs & NHS/social care may receive up to 100%; HEIs up to 80% FEC (see finance guidance).
- Projects must include patient & public involvement (PPI) and end-user engagement and present a commercial strategy (regulatory pathway, IP, health economics, route to market) and a plan for NHS/social care adoption.
- AI projects are eligible (include details requested in the call guidance).
- If proposing a clinical trial, at least one partner must be an NHS or social care provider acting as the evaluation site(s).
Award & Project Duration
Award & Project Duration
- Award: No maximum (budget to fit ambition and impact).
- Duration: 24–36 months.
Key Dates
- Closes 3 December 2025
