2025-26 Funding Applications Open Now!

We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including:

• Identification of relevant funding opportunities. 
• Strategic guidance on eligibility and competitive positioning. 
• Expert review and refinement of funding applications. 
• Best practice advice for business case development. 
• Ongoing support throughout the application and evaluation process.

How to Develop a Winning Funding Application:

• Understand the priorities and expectations of the funding body. 
• Clearly articulate your value proposition and intended health outcomes. 
• Provide robust evidence of need, impact, and scalability. 
• Demonstrate strong leadership, clinical, and commercial expertise within your team. 
• Showcase previous achievements or pilot results, if available.

Here are ten essential principles to guide the development of a compelling and successful funding proposal, particularly within the health and public sectors.

• Align with Strategic Priorities: Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with the stated priorities of the funding body, such as the NHS Long Term Plan, local health system objectives, or specific government initiatives. Explicitly reference these strategies to show your project provides a direct solution to their goals.
• Define a Compelling Problem and Solution: Begin with a concise, powerful problem statement backed by data. Clearly articulate the gap, need, or issue you are addressing. Follow this with an equally clear description of your proposed solution, explaining how it directly tackles the problem.
• Present a Clear, Costed Implementation Plan: Break down the project into logical phases with clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables (a Gantt chart can be very effective). Provide a detailed, transparent, and realistic budget that justifies every cost. This demonstrates that you have thoroughly planned the project's execution.
• Outline Benefits and Return on Investment (ROI): Quantify the anticipated outcomes wherever possible (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, improved patient outcomes). Also, describe the qualitative benefits (e.g., improved patient experience, better staff morale). Frame this as a clear return on the funder's investment.
• Demonstrate Robust Governance and Team Expertise: Showcase the skills, experience, and track record of the project team and its leadership. Outline the governance structure, including oversight and decision-making processes, to reassure funders that the project will be managed effectively.
• Build on a Strong Evidence Base: Reference existing research, pilot data, or best practice guidelines to prove that your proposed solution is credible and evidence-based. This shows your approach is well-researched and not just based on assumptions.
• Show Strong Stakeholder Engagement and Support: Provide evidence that you have consulted with and gained the support of key stakeholders, including patients, clinical staff, and operational managers. Letters of support can be a powerful appendix to your application.
• Highlight Risk Management and Sustainability: Identify potential risks to the project's success (e.g., technical, operational, financial) and present clear mitigation strategies. Crucially, explain how the project's benefits will be sustained after the initial funding period ends.
• Establish a Clear Evaluation Framework: Describe how you will measure success. Outline the key performance indicators (KPIs) you will track, the data you will collect, and your methodology for evaluation. This demonstrates a commitment to accountability and learning.
• Write a Clear, Concise, and Persuasive Narrative: Use plain, accessible language and avoid jargon. Structure the application logically and ensure it tells a compelling story. Have someone outside the project review it for clarity, grammar, and spelling before submission.

Before dedicating resources to a funding application, it's crucial to ensure your project is built on solid foundations. Answering these ten questions will help you assess your readiness and strengthen your proposal.

1. Is your innovation addressing a clearly defined, real-world problem?Can you articulate the specific pain point for patients, clinicians, or the health system? You need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the problem, supported by data and insights from the front line.
2. What evidence do you have for the effectiveness or impact of your solution?This could range from early-stage feasibility data and user feedback to pilot studies or peer-reviewed research. Funders need to see proof that your concept is not just an idea but has credible potential.
3. Is your team equipped with the necessary skills and experience for delivery?Does your team have the right mix of clinical, technical, and commercial expertise? Highlight the track record of your key members to build confidence that you can execute the project successfully.
4. Do you have a well-articulated value proposition for the NHS or healthcare providers?Clearly explain the benefits. How does your solution improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, reduce costs, or enhance patient/staff experience? Quantify this value wherever possible.
5. Are you ready to scale, pilot, or evaluate your solution as required by the funder?Understand what stage the funder supports (e.g., proof-of-concept, validation, scaling). You must demonstrate that your project is at the right level of maturity for the specific funding call.
6. How have you addressed clinical safety and information governance?For digital health, this is non-negotiable. Are you compliant with standards like DCB0129 (Clinical Risk Management)? How do you handle data privacy and security in line with GDPR and healthcare regulations (e.g., DTAC in the UK)?
7. Have you genuinely involved patients and clinicians in the development?Meaningful patient and public involvement (PPI) is a hallmark of a strong application. Show how feedback from end-users has shaped your technology and your implementation plan.
8. How does your solution fit into the existing clinical workflow?A brilliant technology that disrupts workflow is unlikely to be adopted. You must demonstrate a clear, practical plan for how your solution will integrate seamlessly into the daily work of healthcare professionals.
9. What is your long-term plan for financial sustainability?Grant funding is temporary. What is your business model? How will the solution be funded and supported after the initial grant period ends? Funders want to invest in solutions with a future.
10. Do you understand the competitive landscape?Who are your competitors, and what makes your solution different or better? A thorough market analysis shows that you are commercially aware and have a unique place in the market.