Diagnosing cancer earlier and faster: apply for funding

25 Jul 2017 01:55 PM

A total of up to £1.1 million is available to UK businesses for projects that transform screening and speed up the diagnosis of cancer.

NHS England is to invest in new innovative ideas to:

• transform cancer screening
• enable earlier and faster diagnosis of cancer

Improving patient outcomes

Cancer affects more than one in 3 of us in our lifetimes. The UK already has high survival rates. Better screening and diagnosing cancer earlier and faster will further improve this.

Since the early 1990s, the incidence rates of all cancers in the UK have increased by 12%. In 2014, there were 357,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed. By 2035, there will be an estimated 500,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year.

While more than half of people receiving a cancer diagnosis will now live 10 years or more, there is more that could be done to improve patient outcomes and long-term quality of life.

What you need to know

This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).

There are 2 phases to the competition. In phase 1 applicants can receive up to £100,000 for feasibility projects. A further £1 million could be available to develop their solutions in phase 2. These solutions must meet the needs of the NHS.

Competition information

• the competition is open, and the deadline for applications for phase 1 is 6 September 2017

• SBRI is open to any type of organisation
• successful projects will attract 100% funded development contracts
• there will be briefing events for potential applicants in:
  • London on 25 July 2017
  • Leeds on 26 July 2017
  • Nottingham on 26 July 2017
  • Manchester on 27 July 2017

Find out more about this competition and apply online.