Opening for applications 1 August – 19 September 2025  

The West Midlands Health Innovation Fund provides grant-based funding to support the adoption and spread of innovation across the Midlands health and care system. The fund is being delivered in collaboration with South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Aston University and Keele University.

The innovation must: 

• Support one of our four strategic priorities (health infrastructure, health inequality, integrated care and workforce productivity). 
• Support one of the three national NHS shifts (Analogue to Digital, Hospital to Community, Treatment to Prevention). 
• Include a clearly defined innovation (process, service, pathway or product). 
• Include a minimum of one local health and/or care service provider. 
• Be deliverable within a 12-month period (activity to commence December 2025 – January 2026). 
• Innovations must be fully developed, market-ready, and capable of immediate implementation. (Projects still in the pilot or development phase will not be eligible for funding. Proposals should demonstrate measurable impact and outline a clear, sustainable plan for continuation beyond the funding period). 

Eligibility: 

• Commercial entities that own or have developed the proposed innovation in collaboration with a healthcare partner, with demonstrable benefits for the West Midlands region. Preference will be given to companies with a trading history of at least three years to ensure operational stability and mitigate risk. However, early-stage or younger companies may also be considered where the innovation addresses a clearly defined need and delivery partners can demonstrate confidence in the company’s governance, capability, and potential for successful implementation. In such cases, additional due diligence may be required. 
• A social enterprise or voluntary/community organisation established and operating in the West Midlands. 
• A (CQC registered) health or care service provider based in the West Midlands region. 
• An academic institution based in the West Midlands region. 

Funding available
Grants of up to £50,000 are available per project. Most awards are expected to range between £10,000 and £35,000.  

Application requirements 

All applicants must provide the following, via a completed Microsoft Teams form:  

• An outline of the proposed activity including a logic model and project plan.  
• A clear list of expected and measurable outputs, outcomes, impacts and benefits realised.  
• A clear plan including milestones.  
• A clear budget explaining costs and financial assumptions.
• Details of the lead organisation, activity lead and (if different) the health and care system lead. 
• A video (maximum length of three minutes) outlining the project and expected impact.  

Contact and more information 

For full guidance and to apply, please visit the Health Innovation West Midlands website or contact the Innovation Fund team at: innovationfund@healthinnovationwm.org