Life and Health Sciences Northern Ireland
Award: Share of up to £1.2 million
Programme: Innovate UK
Closes: 26 November 2025
Overview
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is partnering with Invest Northern Ireland to invest up to £1.2 million in innovation projects through its Launchpad programme, supporting the UK Government’s agenda for local economic growth.
This Launchpad focuses on developing the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland and supports Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) as the local cluster management organisation.
The competition aims to help UK registered businesses expand their innovation activity within this cluster—during and after project completion.
Funding will be awarded to outstanding, business-led innovation projects that contribute to the growth of this regional ecosystem.
Innovate UK may adjust allocations under exceptional circumstances, and funding is competitive, with similar Launchpads historically funding around 50% of high-quality proposals.
Eligibility
Projects must help grow innovation activity in the life and health sciences sector in Northern Ireland.
Eligible proposals should focus on developing or scaling innovation that supports cluster growth, attracts investment, and enhances regional capability in health and life sciences.
- Open to UK registered businesses.
- Project activities must grow innovation within Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences cluster.
- Your project must request a grant between £25,000 and £100,000.
- All funded work must be carried out in the UK and must benefit the Northern Ireland cluster.
- This is a competitive grant process under Innovate UK’s Launchpad scheme.
Award & Project Duration
- Award: A share of £1.2 million.
- Project Duration: Between 6 and 12 months.
Key Dates
- Closes: 26th November 2025
