“The NIA supports selected healthcare innovators by accelerating the spread of their high-impact proven products and services across the NHS.“
Cheryl Scott, Industry and Innovation Lead - Senior Programme Manager

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) – an NHS England initiative delivered in partnership with England’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks and the Accelerated Access Collaborative – has launched its call for applications representing high impact, evidence-based innovations.

The call is open to local, national and international healthcare innovations supported by passionate individuals from any background, including SMEs, clinicians, charity/third sector and academics.

For the 2023 intake, the NIA is seeking innovations that align with the NHS Core20Plus5 manifesto while addressing key theme areas of elective recovery and operational challenges post-pandemic. Therapy areas of interest, as outlined in Core20Plus5, are:

  • Maternity
  • Mental health and severe mental illness
  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease
  • Hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Additionally, the NIA is looking for innovations that address urgent and emergency care. All applicants must be able to demonstrate how their innovation actively alleviates health inequalities in practice.

Successful applicants will become NIA Fellows and supported to scale their innovations up across England’s NHS for the benefits of patients and staff.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) places a unique dual focus on both development for individuals (‘Fellows’) through a bespoke learning programme as well as bespoke support to spread their innovation nationally.

If you are interested in applying, visit the NIA website here to learn more about the application criteria and process, find dates for informational webinars, and access the online application portal.

The West of England AHSN is available to support you in completing your application. Email cheryl.scott11@nhs.net or weahsn.innovation@nhs.net.

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