Launchpad: life and health sciences, Northern Ireland – Rd3 MFA

Overview

Innovate UK, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland, is investing up to £1.2 million through its Launchpad programme to support innovation-led SMEs working in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland. This funding aims to stimulate local economic growth by supporting projects that enhance innovation activity within the region.

Scope

The competition supports outstanding innovation projects that drive business growth and expand R&D capabilities within Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences sector. Projects should clearly demonstrate how they will continue contributing to innovation in the cluster beyond the funded period.

Key themes and topics

Projects can focus on one or more of the following areas:

Diagnostics, therapeutics, and biomarkers

• Multi-omics
• Medical imaging
• Liquid biopsy
• Biomarker or genetic testing
• Diagnostic or therapeutic development

Data, digital, and medical devices

• Point-of-care testing
• Wearable or ambient sensors
• Clinical trials decision support
• Augmented reality
• Digital health

Innovations in healthcare service delivery

• Health service productivity
• Integrated care platforms
• Remote rehabilitation

Enabling areas

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum technologies
• Advanced therapies, novel formulation or delivery
• Regulation or ethics
• Innovation in skills development

Project duration

Projects must:

• Start on 1 April 2026
• End by 31 March 2027
• Last between 6 and 12 months

Award value

Each project can request between £25,000 and £100,000 in grant funding.

Funding rates

Funding will cover up to 100% of eligible project costs, subject to Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) rules, with a maximum grant value of £100,000 per project.

Eligibility criteria

To apply, your organisation must:

• Be a UK-registered SME
• Be growing innovation activities in the life and health sciences cluster in Northern Ireland
• Demonstrate a clear ambition for business growth
• Carry out all project work in the UK and exploit results from or in the UK
• Not exceed the MFA limit of £315,000 over the current and previous two financial years
• Have not led a successful application to MFA Round 1 or 2 for the same Launchpad

Subcontractors are allowed but must be UK-based.