NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call

NHS Cancer Programme — Innovation Call 4

Funds companies deploying market-ready cancer detection and care innovations across the NHS.

NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call 4 is a grant run by SBRI Healthcare on behalf of NHS England’s NHS Cancer Programme. SBRI Healthcare buys innovation through fixed-term development contracts, and this round helps the NHS put already-proven cancer products into real, everyday use across the health service.

The round has two separate pots. The Real World Implementation and Evaluation Fund pays a single company up to 3 million pounds (excluding VAT), covering 100 percent of project costs at market value, over a maximum of 24 months — this is the route for companies. The Innovation Spread Fund pays up to 5 million pounds over the first two years of a three-year project, but its lead applicants must be NHS bodies (Integrated Care Boards or Cancer Alliances in England), not companies.

There are two challenges, and an applicant picks the one they have the strongest evidence for: improving productivity by managing demand or adding capacity on cancer care pathways, or driving earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer through new screening, case-finding, or diagnostic tools. Eligible products include medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and AI tools that are already market-ready, with evidence of safety and clinical use.

It is open to single organisations based in the UK or EU. Companies applying to the Real World Implementation Fund need a real partnership with at least one adopting NHS site. To apply, read the Round 4 Challenge Brief, register on the RMS application portal at least seven days before the deadline, and submit when the portal opens. A briefing webinar was held on 18 June 2026 and a matchmaking form was open until 24 June 2026. Applications are expected to open in September 2026; the exact closing date had not yet been published when this page was built, so no deadline is shown.