Innovation Challenge: neurological healthcare

The N-CODE Innovation Challenge seeks early-stage ideas that could transform neurological care in the NHS. Proposals may focus on bringing care closer to home, moving from analogue to digital services or preventing deterioration through earlier detection and proactive monitoring. Wearables, digital biomarkers, AI and mathematical modelling are of particular interest, but proposals are not restricted to these approaches.

Who can apply

There are two routes: an industry-led route for UK-registered businesses offering up to £12,000, and an academic-led route for UKRI-eligible applicants offering up to £30,000. Applications are welcomed from multidisciplinary teams including technology developers, academics and healthcare professionals. Projects do not need to start with a finished product.

Activities and expectations

The proposal should define the clinical or service problem, explain the proposed innovation and set out the benefit it could deliver. Feasibility work, co-design, adaptation of existing technology and practical development are potentially suitable. Successful projects must run for no more than eight weeks and finish by 14 May 2027, with an opportunity to present at the June 2027 London showcase.

The deadline is 5pm on 18 November 2026. Applicants should download the route-specific guidance and application pack.

Choosing your route

The £30,000 maximum applies to the academic-led route. Businesses should use the industry-led route and its £12,000 ceiling. The call expects 3–5 industry winners and 3 academic winners. Read the relevant route-specific guidance before costing the work, and explain the problem, proposed solution and difference it could make. The award supports a short development step rather than an eight-week clinical rollout.