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Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme
i4i online and on the road
What is i4i?
Launched in July 2008, i4i has introduced new funding opportunities such as the i4i Future Product Development (FPD) funding streams to provide investment in, and improved identification of, promising healthcare technologies in order to accelerate the development of new healthcare products for the 21st century.
Read the i4i launch programme
View i4i launch presentations
i4i funds translational research, extending between basic research and pre-clinical trials or health technology assessments. This part of the innovation process is an area of high technological and business risk, and the projects funded by i4i reflect this.
Closer links are being established between the existing product funding streams and a range of ‘ideas generators’ - including the Research Councils, Biomedical Research Centres, the NHS National Innovation Centre, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), healthcare companies, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) - and with organisations who can take products to market including individual companies, UK Trade and Investment (UKT&I) and venture capital groups.
Two pre-existing product development programmes – New and Emerging Applications of Technology (NEAT) and Health Technology Devices (HTD) – have migrated to i4i.
(NB Closed for new applications.)
i4i online and on the road
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme is running four regional workshops between November 2008 and March 2009 with the Health Technologies KTN. The purpose of these workshops will be to provide information on the i4i Programme, including advice on submitting a proposal, and to allow delegates from a wide range of disciplines to network with a view to developing new partnerships and opportunities for subsequent calls.
Regional locations and registration details
Structure of i4i
Activities under the umbrella of i4i include:
i4i Future Product Development (FPD)
FPD is the main funding activity of i4i and is positioned at the “upstream” part of the innovation process – that is close to “ideas generators”. Other organisations and funding streams are more focused on the “downstream” part, commercialisation and exploitation, and i4i will work with them.
Key features of FPD:
- Flexibility of entry points; depending on the maturity of the idea investigators can apply for funding from any of three streams and if appropriate proceed from stream to stream.
- Co-ordination between streams through having one secretariat.
- Supportto projects that meet milestones and show promise to move onto the next funding stream with minimum delay and to accelerate them along the innovation pathway.
- Rolling programme of calls for proposals to fit better with the innovation process.
FPD funding streams
In order to match the innovation process as closely as possible and to accommodate innovation from different sources, FPD is divided into three funding streams: FPD1, FPD2 and FPD3. In turn FPD3 is divided into streams (a) and (b).
1) Future Product Development Stream 1 (FPD1) - Feasibility study
Up to 1 year investigation led by a clinician or an academic research group, to determine first if prior basic research or an innovative use of an existing technology can be used to meet an existing or emerging healthcare need, and then to identify the barriers that would need to be overcome before implementation. There must be a potential for any device based on the technology investigated to be developed through further applied R&D. The study must also identify the barriers that would need to be overcome before implementation. Funding to a total of £100K is available.
2) Future Product Development Stream 2 (FPD2) - Applied research project
A detailed investigation of up to 3 years led by a clinician or an academic research group that builds on the results of a completed assessment of the feasibility to produce a medical device or product through technological improvements or developments and that provides further evidence of its capacity to deliver improved healthcare outcomes and commercial opportunities. Funding of the order of £150K - £250K per year is available.
3a) Future Product Development Stream 3a (FPD3a) – Commercial Viability Study
Investigations lasting up to one year involving collaboration between at least one industry and one research (academic or clinical) partner aimed at determining whether an innovative use of an existing or emerging product or technology can be used to meet a healthcare need and identifying the barriers that would be need to be overcome. Funded projects serve primarily as the first stage of a full collaborative applied research project.
Deliverables are expected to include: analysis of the clinical need, proof of concept, identification of the technical risks, robust plan for commercialisation, formation of a strong consortium to take the commercialisation plan forward.
Project costs can be no more than £100K in total, and 75% funding is available.
3b) Future Product Development Stream 3b (FPD3b) – Collaborative applied research project
A detailed investigation of up to 3 years involving collaboration between at least one industry and one research partner (academic or clinical) that builds on the results of a completed assessment of feasibility. This will provide further evidence of the capability to deliver improved healthcare outcomes and commercial opportunity, delivering an advanced prototype along with plans for commercial and intellectual property exploitation. Funding to a maximum of 50% of the total project costs, and £100K - £300K per year is available.
Tabulated summary of FPD funding Streams
For guidance on completing an application to FPD please follow this link.
To apply to FPD please follow this link.
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