NIHR i4i & OLS Real World Evidence Programme

Key Features

This document provides information on the call specification for an application to the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) and Office for Life Sciences (OLS) Real World Evidence Programme.

Programme:     NIHR

Award:     Share of up to £10 million

Opens: 31st Jan 2024

Closes: 27th Mar 2024

! This scheme is now closed

Overview

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme, in collaboration with the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), invites applications to the NIHR i4i & OLS Real World Evidence Programme.

Scope

The aim of the call is to support consortia to address real world evidence gaps to accelerate widespread adoption of technologies recommended for early use in the NHS through NICE Early Value Assessment (EVA). Funding will be deployed to generate real world evidence for product(s) to achieve a full NICE evaluation, generate further evidence required by commissioners to increase uptake, and to capture generalisable learnings to support future innovators. Applications that align with the Life Sciences Vision, published in July 2021, are particularly welcomed.

The NIHR i4i & OLS Real World Evidence Programme is a one-stage call inviting applications for projects up to 36 months in duration,with no upper funding limit.

The call will be open to consortia consisting of:

  • An analytical partner (lead applicant) – which will lead and coordinate the generation of evidence required (must be a UK legal entity).
  • The technology partner(s) – which will provide the EVA products for which evidence must be generated
  • Adopting site(s) – which will give access to sites, or services, for testing of the products.

This call will be open to organisations which are UK legal entities, including large enterprises, small/medium commercial entities, NHS and social care providers, universities and research institutions, as well as not-for-profit organisations including charities and Community Interest Companies. For this call, the lead organisation should be the ‘analytical partner’ as described above.

Eligibility

The call is open to consortia consisting of

  • An analytical partner (lead applicant) – who will lead and coordinate the generation of evidence required
  • The technology partner(s) – who will provide the EVA products for which evidence must be generated
  • Adopting site(s) – who will give access to sites, or services, for testing of the products.

Analytical partner

The analytical partner must act as lead applicant and will coordinate the project. They could be an academic institution, a Health Innovation Network (formerly AHSN), MIC/HRC, ARC or other organisation experienced in real world evidence study design, conduct and analysis. To note the lead organisation must be a UK legal entity.

Technology Partner(s)

Products provided by technology partners for this funding competition must be recommended for early use in the NHS through NICE EVA, have generated appropriate levels of clinical safety and effectiveness, and have CE mark or equivalent.

Adopting Site(s)

The adopting sites, or services, must be identified and be part of the application as co-applicants to ensure the delivery of the study. Clinical partners can be based anywhere in the UK.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants are welcome from organisations which are a UK legal entity and include:

  • Higher Education Institutions (HEI), including universities and research institutes.
  • NHS and social care service providers, including Trusts, primary care and community care providers and tertiary care centres.
  • Commercial organisations including large enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs with a staff headcount no greater than 250 and an annual turnover no greater than €50 million, including start-up or spin-out companies).
  • Not-for-profit organisations, including charities and Community Interest Companies.

Specialist services or expertise may be brought into the team through consultancy or sub-contract arrangements with appropriate justification. Collaborators and sub-contractors may be based outside of the UK if the required expertise or service cannot be reasonably contracted from within the UK. Involvement of international companies as subcontractor and/or collaborator, if working with a lead UK partner, are welcomed if justified.

Applicant organisations can be based anywhere in the UK, and the proposed research must take place in the UK and show potential, and be appropriate, for rollout across the UK.

Consultation with individuals who have current or lived experience is expected.

Multidisciplinary project teams, involving relevant collaborations between technology developers, data scientists and clinical staff, are particularly welcome.

For this Call, applications should be made by consortia with an analytical lead as described above. The lead organisation should have full access to the background IP required for the project.

Exclusions

Technologies that have NOT been recommended for early use in the NHS through NICE EVA and have negative or research-only recommendations from NICE are excluded from this call.

Funding Costs

There is no upper funding limit. Proposed projects may be up to 36 months in duration. Each proposal will be judged on its merits and value for money.

NIHR funding covers 100% costs for commercial entities, not-for-profit organisations, local government bodies, and primary care providers, 100% of the direct research costs for NHS service providers, and 80% FEC for higher education institutions. Large enterprises are expected to provide some in-kind contribution.

Interested in applying for this competition?

Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.