ORUK Innovation in Musculoskeletal Health Co-Funding Call

Co-funding to support applications to the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Product Development Awards that focus on the application of emerging health technologies to transform musculoskeletal health outcomes.

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) is seeking to co-fund applications to call 29 of the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme, to support the research and development of advanced technology solutions to improve operational efficiencies and clinical outcomes in people with poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health.

The i4i programme provides funding for translational research aimed at developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and digital health technologies addressing an emerging or existing health or social care need. Proposals submitted for the i4i Product Development Awards or Challenge Awards that aim to apply emerging technologies to transform MSK health outcomes will be considered for co-funding by ORUK.

Proposals submitted for round 29 of the i4i programme that fall within the following areas of focus will be considered:

• Prevention, improving public health awareness and MSK literacy.
• Early diagnosis and intervention.
• Self-management.
• Treatment optimisation.
• Monitoring.
• Risk stratification.
• Optimising clinical pathways
• Health economics.
  

Applicants will need to demonstrate:

• The novelty of the technology application – which can include the use of well-established technologies in novel ways to address new needs.
• What the unmet need is that the proposed technology solution addresses.
• How project outcomes lead to improved MSK care and offer significant added value over current or alternative solutions.
• How they ensure the acceptability of the technology to people with MSK conditions, their families, healthcare professionals and providers.
• How the proposed innovative solution could impact or integrate into patients’ daily lives and NHS care pathways.
• Consideration of potential commercialisation routes for the technology solution which will inform the clinical and health economic evidence that needs to be generated.