The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Invention 4 Innovation (i4i) Programme is a translational research funding scheme aimed at medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and digital health technologies addressing an existing or emerging health or social care need. The i4i FAST (Funding At the Speed of Translation) Awards scheme is aimed at innovators in need of a small amount of funding to answer a single specific question to address an evidence gap in developing an innovation. FAST funding opportunities are usually themed and projects should align with the research specifications detailed in each FAST call.

The spring 2025 call, launched in partnership with the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health, invites applications to support the development of health technologies to reduce community and hospital waiting lists for children and young people, including those with learning disabilities, seeking mental healthcare or requesting neurodevelopmental assessment.

Proposals must clearly align with the Department of Health and Social Care’s area of research interest 1 to take early action to prevent poor health outcomes by developing effective prevention, early diagnosis and intervention strategies that specifically support children and young people (up to 18 years of age) to enable the transfer of care from hospitals to the community and alleviate long-term burden on the NHS and social care system.

Innovations incorporating or employing a game-changing technology (artificial intelligence (AI), quantum sensing, engineering biology, genomics or wearables including smart phones) are particularly welcomed.

The lead organisation must be based in the UK and must be one of the eligible organisations listed below:

• Higher education institutions (including universities and research institutes).
• NHS and social care service providers (including Trusts, primary care and community care providers, and tertiary care centres).
• Not-for-profit organisations (including charities and community interest companies).
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a staff headcount no greater than 250 and annual turnover no greater than €50 million. This includes start-up or spin-out companies.

Collaborators based abroad are allowed, however, their participation must be justified and the benefit to the NHS or broader UK health and care system must be specified. All activities must be carried out in the UK (with the exception of specific sub-contracted services).

Between £50,000 and £100,000 is available for projects lasting 6-12 months.

A live Q&A session will be held for interested applicants on 26 March 2025 (10:00 to 11:00). Advance registration is required to attend.

(This Bulletin article was the subject of a ResearchConnect news alert.)