Newcastle University said it has been awarded £22 million by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research to continue research identifying emerging medicines, diagnostics, devices and digital technologies..
The five-year award boosts the work of the NIHR Innovation Observatory, which provides strategic insights and intelligence to inform national health and social care policy, guide investment decisions, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
The award begins in April 2026 and builds on nearly a decade of NIHR funding that has underpinned pioneering work at Newcastle, this new phase continues to empower researchers, industry leaders, policy makers, and health and care professionals to identify and harness technologies that can transform population health and revolutionise care delivery.
The new award will allow the Innovation Observatory to expand its methods, strengthen its technical infrastructure, and further develop foresight outputs. The funding award reinforces the UK government’s long-term commitment to horizon scanning as a vital tool in planning for the future of health and social care.
It will allow the NIHR Innovation Observatory to work closely with key government departments including the Department of Health and Social Care, and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, as well as national and regional stakeholders, charities, SME’s, and potential inward investors across the health and life sciences sector.
Professor Dawn Craig, Director of the NIHR Innovation Observatory, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in this competitive funding award. The award will further enhance our ability to turn data into rapid, actionable insights – driving smarter decisions, faster innovation adoption, and deeper collaboration with industry and national partners.
“By strengthening our analytical capabilities and fostering cross-sector partnerships, we are not only looking to improve care but also to play a role in positioning the UK as a global leader in health tech and innovation-driven growth.”