Applications are now open for UK technology companies to apply to join our Grow Digital Health Midlands 2026 programme.

Delivered in collaboration with Health Innovation West Midlands, this ambitious programme, now in its second year, supports companies with the scaling of innovative digital solutions within the NHS and care sector.

Applications officially open on Friday, 6th March 2026 and will close on Tuesday, 7th April 2026.

Formerly known as the East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator, which launched in 2018, this programme builds on this success and invites innovators to bring forward their digital solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges within the NHS and care system.

The programme offers unparalleled support to companies wanting to drive transformative change in healthcare delivery. Successful applicants to the programme receive support to enable the adoption, spread and scaling of their innovation within the Midlands health and care system.

Companies accepted onto the programme will have the opportunity to access an intensive and free package of expert support, including:

• Monthly one-to-one business coaching
• Group workshops, training and development
• Showcasing to NHS and care system stakeholders across the NHS Midlands region
• Connections to relevant third-party subject matter experts
• Exhibitions at significant digital health conferences and events
• Showcasing to NHS and care system stakeholders across the NHS Midlands region
• A funding opportunity exclusive to the Grow Digital Health Midlands cohort to support trialling and adoption in the NHS / care sector in the Midlands

A key priority within the NHS Health Plan for England is the productivity challenge. Following the success and demand for last year’s programme, the 2026 cohort will continue its focus on enhancing NHS productivity and communication. The programme is seeking technology companies that can:

• Release time to care and support for the NHS workforce
• Increase productivity, through initiatives such as
  • Did Not Attend (DNA) identification, easy rescheduling and cancellations of appointments
  • Demand and capacity planning
  • Intelligent rostering and demand prediction
• Enable patient self-management in the community
• Build capacity for neighbourhood health, bringing care closer to home

Local NHS leaders and patient representatives will play an active role in selecting candidates for the programme, ensuring that the chosen innovations align with regional priorities and have the highest potential for adoption.

Tim Robinson, Health Innovation East Midlands Commercial Director, said:

“We’re delighted to be delivering Grow Digital Health Midlands for its second year in collaboration with Health Innovation West Midlands.

While this programme aims to identify innovative technologies that have the potential to spread across health and care organisations in the Midlands, many of the innovators on this programme gain visibility and exposure at a national level. Health Innovation Networks are part of a network of 15 across the country. We can support the spread of these technologies that perhaps wouldn’t have been possible without being on this programme. Our 2025 cohort is a strong reflection of that.

Our health and care system needs innovation more than ever, so I encourage innovators to apply who have technologies that can enhance productivity and communication within the NHS.”

Judith Stewart, Health Innovation West Midlands Director of Economic, Commercial and Business Development, added:

“We are proud to continue Grow Digital Health Midlands as a truly collaborative programme with our colleagues at Health Innovation East Midlands.

Last year’s programme supported eight innovative companies to accelerate their adoption within the NHS, and we look forward to expanding the programme’s impact further in 2026, helping the local and national transition from analogue to digital.

This year’s focus on improving productivity and strengthening communication across the NHS reflects some of the most pressing challenges facing our health and care system.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of impactful innovators and supporting their journey to adoption.”

How to apply and more information

Applications are now open and will close on Tuesday, 7th April at midnight. All applications must be submitted via our portal here. 

Q&A briefing sessions will be held on the 12th and 17th March 2026, to allow potential applicants to engage directly with the programme leads and ask any questions.

Find out more about the programme, the previous cohort, and how to join a Q&A session to support an application here:www.healthinnovation-em.org.uk/growdigitalhealthmidlands

For queries on the programme, email  healthinnovation-em@nottingham.ac.uk