i4i–LeapX joint funding: UK–Singapore (October 2026)

This joint NIHR and National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC) opportunity helps late-stage healthcare innovations generate the clinical, regulatory and market-entry evidence required for adoption in the UK and Singapore. It supports clinical validation, real-world assessment, health economics, regulatory preparation and commercial translation in either or both countries.

Eligibility and partnership
Each proposal must have a UK lead and a Singapore lead, meeting their respective national funder requirements. A collaboration agreement must be put in place within three months of the project starting. Eligible products include medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and Tier C digital health technologies; biotechnology products are excluded. The technology must have reached at least TRL 5, supported by evidence of a functional prototype tested in a relevant clinical environment.

Funding and delivery
Projects may last up to 24 months. UK activities can receive up to £500,000 and Singapore activities up to S$750,000. Proposals should define which market-entry evidence is needed, how it will be generated, anticipated regulatory or adoption milestones and the roles of both leads.

Outline applications close at 1pm UK time on 2 December 2026. Shortlisted teams move to a full-application stage.

What is outside scope
The call does not support ideation or TRL 1–4 innovations, extensive fundamental redesign, core algorithm redevelopment, pharmaceutical or cosmetic development, or large pivotal efficacy trials. General wellness apps, administration software and Tier A/B digital technologies are excluded. Only minimal product refinement for the target market is supported.

Evidence required
For diagnostics, validation must use authentic samples from the intended patient population. Digital products need actual clinical data and workflow or usability testing with intended users. Invited full applications close on 1 April 2027 at 1pm UK time.