Stage 1: i4i - LeapX joint funding opportunity
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme and the National Health Innovation Centre Singapore (NHIC) LeapX programme are jointly funding late-stage healthcare innovations toward critical clinical and commercial inflection points in both countries. Projects must have two joint leads (one UK, one Singapore) and generate target-market evidence — including clinical validation, regulatory clearance, health economics and real-world evaluation — to support adoption in the UK and/or Singapore. Eligible products are medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and Tier C digital health technologies a…
- Funding
- £250k-£1m
- Up to £500,000 for the UK component and SGD $750,000 for the Singapore component, to deliver work in the respective country, for a project of up to 24 months. The UK component is funded by DHSC via NIHR; the Singapore component is funded by NHIC. The NHIC supplementary form states the SGD $750,000 cap is inclusive of a maximum 30% indirect costs where applicable. The UK intervention rate (funding rate %) is not stated on the official NIHR listings, the 14 October 2026 launch webinar, or the NHIC page.
- Closes
- 2 December 2026
- Applicants
- Collaborative
- Two joint leads are mandatory, one UK lead and one Singapore lead. The UK lead must be an eligible UK organisation, such as an NHS body, higher education institution or SME. Large enterprises cannot lead the UK component. The Singapore principal investigator must hold a primary appointment in a public healthcare institution and be salaried by that institution.
What this competition funds
- Collaborative late-stage productisation, clinical validation and commercial implementation of medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and Tier C digital health technologies.
- Development of products at a minimum of TRL 5 in their country of origin, with a functional prototype validated in a relevant environment using intended end-users and authentic clinical data.
- Generation of target-market evidence, including clinical validation, regulatory clearance, health economics and real-world evaluation, to support adoption in the UK and/or Singapore.
- Joint UK and Singapore projects lasting up to 24 months, progressing innovations towards critical clinical and commercial inflection points.
Who can apply?
- Lead applicant
- Two joint leads are mandatory, one UK lead and one Singapore lead. The UK lead must be an eligible UK organisation, such as an NHS body, higher education institution or SME. Large enterprises cannot lead the UK component. The Singapore principal investigator must hold a primary appointment in a public healthcare institution and be salaried by that institution.
- Partners and collaborators
- The project must be a UK and Singapore collaboration. Applicants should confirm eligibility rules for any additional partners in the official brief.
- Worth checking
- Only the specified product categories at TRL 5 or above in their country of origin are eligible. Confirm organisational eligibility and the UK funding rate in the official brief.
What assessors look for
01
Clinical need and target-market challenge
Explain the clinical need in the intended UK and/or Singapore market. Show how the proposed evidence will address barriers to adoption in that market.
02
Innovation and product maturity
Explain the product's innovation and demonstrate its starting maturity with evidence from relevant-environment validation. Identify the intended end-users and authentic clinical data supporting the minimum TRL 5 position.
03
Impact and value for money
Connect the planned clinical, regulatory, economic or real-world evidence to specific clinical and commercial inflection points. Justify each country's budget against the work delivered there and the intended adoption outcomes.
04
Delivery and joint team
Give each joint lead clear responsibilities and show how the country workstreams depend on one another. Build a credible plan within 24 months, with milestones for the evidence needed to support adoption.
Where applications usually lose marks
- Proposing an excluded product or activity, such as pharmaceuticals, general wellness apps or large-scale pivotal clinical trials, or failing to evidence the minimum TRL 5 starting point.
- Treating the overseas collaborator as optional or failing to demonstrate that both joint leads meet the stated eligibility requirements.
- Presenting a development plan without clear target-market evidence needs, adoption outcomes or a justified allocation of work and costs between countries.
How GrantUp can help
Our specialist bid writers build the scoring case, budget and narrative with you, with an over 82% success rate per engagement and over £190m secured for clients. Grant funding engagements have a minimum upfront setup fee starting from £1,750, plus a success fee payable on award. The scope and success fee are agreed before work starts. We do not take equity.
Discuss this grantFrequently asked questions
How much funding is available?
Projects can receive up to £500,000 for UK work and SGD $750,000 for Singapore work, over up to 24 months. The Singapore cap includes a maximum 30% indirect costs where applicable. The UK funding rate and total programme budget are not stated; applicants should confirm these in the official brief.
Which applicants and products are eligible?
Eligible UK organisations include NHS bodies, higher education institutions and SMEs, but large enterprises cannot be the UK lead. The Singapore lead must meet the public healthcare appointment and salary requirements. Products must be medical devices, in vitro diagnostics or Tier C digital health technologies, at least TRL 5 in their country of origin.
Is international collaboration mandatory?
Yes. Every project must have two joint leads, one in the UK and one in Singapore. Funding supports work in the respective countries, with evidence supporting adoption in the UK and/or Singapore. Applicants should confirm rules for additional collaborators in the official brief.
How do we apply at Stage 1?
Check the official brief for the Stage 1 submission route, required documents and responsibilities of each joint lead, as these details are not stated in the listing. Prepare evidence of product maturity, lead eligibility, country-specific work and budgets, and the clinical and commercial inflection points the project will address.
Programme at a glance
- Funding
- £250k-£1m
- Funder
- NIHR
- Region
- International
- Partners required
- Yes
- Next deadline
- 2 December 2026
Why GrantUp
- Over 82% success rate per engagement
- Over £190m secured for clients
- Specialist technical bid writers
Considering Stage 1: i4i - LeapX joint funding opportunity?
Talk through your project with a specialist and find out whether this is the right competition before you invest time in an application.