Health Innovation Funding Opportunities

2 May 2025

The latest funding opportunities and grants for innovation in healthcare.

We update this page frequently – check back for the latest opportunities or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Featured funding opportunities

Horizon Europe 2026-2027: Health, Cluster 1
Deadline
: various (inc. September 2026, April 2027, and September 2027.

The indicative amount of EU funding contributions for projects in this cluster is mostly between €1.5m and €10m. This can cover up to 100% of costs depending on the call. The European Commission has published all of the 2026-27 Horizon Europe Work Programmes, which list the funding opportunities under the 2026-27 call topics.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 2
Deadline
: 24 June 2026

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £10 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.

Tender notice: Healthcare AI Solutions (NHS Shared Business Services Limited)
Deadline: 07 July 2026

The Open Framework is intended to serve as a strategic vehicle for the efficient, legally compliant, and scalable procurement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies across the NHS and the wider Public Sector. This initiative recognises the transformative potential of AI in addressing current and emerging healthcare challenges, from improving diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making to streamlining operational processes.

General health innovation funding opportunities

Innovate UK
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, is a non-departmental public body, and is the largest UK public funder of non-medical bioscience. It predominantly funds scientific research institutes and university research departments in the UK.

BBSRC standard research grant 
You can apply for research grants at any time in any area within the remit of BBSRC. BBSRC funds research in plants, microbes, animals (including humans), and the tools and technology underpinning biological research from the level of molecules and cells, to tissues, whole organisms, populations and landscapes.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The National Institute for Health and Care Research is the British government’s major funder of clinical, public health, social care and translational research. Its mission is to “improve the health and wealth of the nation through research”.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)
UKDI aims to find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity.

Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Medical Research Council (MRC) improves the health of people in the UK – and around the world – by supporting excellent science and training the very best scientists.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. They are committed to supporting research that will benefit the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.

NC3RS
The NC3RS is a UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to helping the research community worldwide to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals for medical testing.


Trusts and Charities

The Health Foundation (HF)
HF’s aim is a healthier population, supported by high quality health care that can be equitably accessed. They work towards this by generating research and analysis, testing practical solutions, bringing people together through convening and partnerships, and developing networks and long-term capability.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF)
BHF provide personal support for clinical and non-clinical cardiovascular researchers at all stages of their career. They also provide grants for short and long term research projects, essential infrastructure, and strategic initiatives.

Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)
Over 30 years ago a small, diverse group of medical research charities form the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to unite the sector and provide it with a leading voice. Since then their membership has grown to over 140 charities. In 2018, these charities invested £1.3 billion in medical research.