Current opportunities
The opportunities listed below are in order of closing date. If you are looking to apply for one of the opportunities listed below, we can assist with grant applications. Visit our grant writing page to find out more.
NIHR Innovation Catalyst – June 2026
Closing: current round closes 14 July at 1:00 PM
The NIHR Innovation Catalyst is a translational funding programme supporting early‑stage health technologies as they move from prototype toward clinical use. It targets innovations at TRL 3 and above and combines funding of up to £150k with a structured nine‑month entrepreneurial programme, including mentoring, market assessment, and commercialisation planning. The scheme is open to UK‑based academics, clinicians, NHS organisations and non‑profit research bodies, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and supporting innovators from under‑represented groups. SMEs are not directly eligible.
In addition to financial support, the programme provides access to investor networks, peer learning, and training designed to accelerate translation and adoption in the NHS. It focuses on technologies such as medical devices, diagnostics and digital health solutions, with a clear route to clinical implementation. The overall aim is to bridge the gap between early innovation and real‑world healthcare impact while building entrepreneurial capability within the UK research and health system.
NIHR NICE Rolling Funding Opportunity
Opening: now
Closing: 2 September 2026 (next outline deadline) at 1:00 PM
This NIHR and NICE partnership call funds research that addresses priority evidence gaps identified in NICE guidance published within the last five years. Delivered through the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme and related NIHR streams, it supports a wide range of study designs including clinical trials, diagnostic evaluations, systematic reviews, and real‑world evidence studies. Funding is not capped, with budgets expected to reflect the scale and design of the proposed research.
The scheme is particularly valuable for generating evidence that can directly inform NICE recommendations and support NHS adoption of new interventions. Applications follow a two‑stage process from outline to full proposal and must demonstrate strong health‑related outcomes and methodological rigour. It is well suited to multidisciplinary UK research teams and organisations seeking to align research activity with policy and clinical decision‑making priorities.
EIC Pathfinder Challenges
Closing: 28 October 2026
The EIC Pathfinder Challenge supports early‑stage, high‑risk research aimed at developing breakthrough biotechnologies to address healthy ageing. With funding of up to €4M per project and a 100% funding rate, it focuses on proof‑of‑concept work in areas such as novel therapeutics, biomarkers, and advanced research methodologies. Projects typically start at low technology readiness levels and aim to establish feasibility for future development.
The programme encourages innovative approaches, including alternatives to animal testing and human‑relevant experimental models, and is managed as part of a portfolio approach by the EIC. Successful projects benefit not only from funding but also from additional support such as booster grants and pathways into later‑stage EIC programmes. It is ideal for academic and early‑stage collaborative research teams pursuing transformative scientific ideas.
Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Call 13
Opening: Expected summer 2026
Closing: To be confirmed (two‑stage call)
The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Call 13 is a large‑scale EU public‑private funding opportunity supporting collaborative research across the life sciences sector. With significant industry co‑investment and total project budgets often ranging from €10M to €60M, this programme requires multinational consortia spanning academia, industry, and healthcare stakeholders to address complex health challenges.
The call focuses on ambitious, system‑level innovations such as AI‑enabled drug development and understanding disease mechanisms, with topics evolving through consultation prior to launch. UK organisations remain eligible through Horizon Europe arrangements, making this a key opportunity for international collaboration. Projects must demonstrate strong scientific ambition alongside clear pathways to impact across healthcare systems and industry.
Longstanding opportunities:
BBSRC Standard Research Grant: applicant-led mode
The BBSRC Applicant‑Led Grants scheme provides flexible, ongoing funding for investigator‑led research across the biological and biotechnological sciences. Following a move to an always‑open model, researchers can submit proposals at any time for Standard Research Grants or New Investigator Awards, with funding available up to £2 million full economic cost for projects lasting up to five years. SMEs can be included as project partners.
This scheme supports a wide range of fundamental and applied research, including multidisciplinary projects and industry collaborations through defined partnership routes. It is particularly suited to academic researchers seeking to develop independent research programmes or establish new lines of inquiry. The emphasis is on scientific excellence and innovation, with flexibility to respond to emerging research priorities without the constraints of fixed funding rounds.
Visit the UKRI website for more information.
EIC Accelerator
Opening: Rolling (short proposals)
Closing: Multiple cut‑offs; next full deadline 2 September 2026
The EIC Accelerator provides substantial funding for high‑risk, high‑potential deep tech innovations led by SMEs and startups. UK-based SMEs can apply for grants of up to €2.5M, supporting technologies from late development stages through to market deployment. The programme operates on a rolling basis for short applications, with several full proposal deadlines throughout the year.
Beyond funding, successful applicants gain access to extensive business acceleration services including coaching, mentoring, and investor engagement. The scheme targets innovations with strong commercial potential in areas such as AI, advanced materials, and clean technologies. It is particularly competitive and suited to companies aiming for rapid scale‑up and international market entry.
For more information, visit the EIC website.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF)
EIC STEP Scale-Up
The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme, part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), provides equity-only investments of €10–30 million to startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps aiming to scale breakthrough innovations in strategic sectors like digital, deep tech, clean tech, and biotech. With a 2025 budget of €300 million, the scheme targets high-risk, high-potential companies that have already secured at least 20% of their funding round from a qualified investor. The programme supports innovations in areas such as AI and advanced biotechnologies, including critical medicines, DNA/RNA, proteins, cell engineering, gene vectors, bioinformatics, and nanobiotechnology. Successful applicants gain access to Business Acceleration Services and may receive a STEP Seal, enhancing visibility and access to further funding opportunities.
TheHill is always open to collaborations and keen to partner with other organisations as consortium member on collaborative projects, if you are interested please complete our triage form.