Apply

You can be the inventor of your innovation, the lead for it within your organisation or simply the representative of an innovation you find compelling, and as such, wish to scale it across the NHS.

Applicants, nationally and internationally, can be clinicians; academics; from a public-sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisation; from a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME); from a large corporate.

You should apply if:

• Your innovation addresses one or more of the following priorities: mental health, urgent and emergency care, primary care
• Your innovation demonstrates, in practice, significant outcomes for significantly lower cost
• Your innovation is supported by an evidence-base and is ready to be diffused across the NHS
• You have a passion for learning and for sharing your insight widely
• You are committed to scaling evidence-based innovations for patient and population benefit

Applications are now closed. Details of a 2018 Call will be listed here when available.

How to apply

• The Call for Applications document provides a useful starting point for learning more about the NIA.
• Read the Guide for Applicants
• Review the wording of the contract, which both you and your organisation will need to sign should you be invited to join the NIA

Once you are assured that you and your innovation meet the criteria specified, that you can commit to the time requirements – including attendance at all quarterly events – and that you have the written support of your employing organisation, please visit the Application Portal and:

• Complete the application form
• Develop a one minute ‘elevator pitch’ video and insert a link to this pitch on your application form (guidance as to how to film your elevator pitch and upload it is available on the Application Portal)

The premise behind the NIA is that if we can wrap bespoke support around great individuals with compelling evidence-based innovations, the innovations will be taken up at pace across the NHS.

As such, the support and development provided through the NIA will be tailored to your needs and aspirations, and your innovation.

Benefits of being an NIA Fellow

Bespoke support is delivered predominantly through the following mechanisms:

• Access to mentorship from a range of experts and high profile mentors, representing a broad skills base
• Pairing with an Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) to provide local networking, navigation, showcasing, constructive challenge and support
• Regular meetings with the NIA core team based at UCLPartners
• Peer-to-peer support from the NIA Fellows, those recruited in 2015 and in 2016, enabled through an online forum, regular newsletters and:

1. Quarterly events that bring all Fellows together to share learnings, access specialist support, and collectively problem solve;
2. Workshops, webinars and networking meetings with key stakeholders, e.g. panel sessions with key stakeholders, AHSN specialist-leads, business-case development, business model development, leadership development, mentoring and coaching;
3. Ad-hoc events and briefings on topics of interest; previous sessions have included NHS procurements, marketing and communications, behavioural economics, NHS Commissioning, Legal and Intellectual Property etc.

• Access to a bursary that can be used to support the scaling of your innovation and for travel and subsistence for your participation at NIA events

Additionally, we continue to build partnerships with a range of complementary organisations to augment the support offer available to Fellows. For example:

• Existing NIA Fellows are all paired with an Innovate UK buddy
• The Digital Catapult has provided desk space and networking opportunities to Fellows, where required
• The European Enterprise Network offers IP and funding advice for all NIA SMEs
• NESTA has offered the provision of mentoring
• Further organisations who have directly supported Fellows include, for example, Genomics England, Health Education England, NHS Leadership Academy, NICE, The Health Foundation and AVIVA

Whilst on the NIA you can expect to benefit from a range of support including:

• Insight into the changing policy context of the NHS
• Introductions and showcasing opportunities to relevant NHS commissioners, leaders etc.
• Navigation of the innovation and research infrastructure both within and outside the NHS
• Critical challenge and support to refine plans through access to expert advice
• Branding: Association with the NIA brand and its partners
• Influencing national policy: Opportunities to share experiences with senior leaders at NHS England to explore how to unlock systemic barriers to adoption. One mechanism for this is via the NIA Programme Board, chaired by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director, NHS England.

“From the process of application to interviews and eventual acceptance and implementation, you will learn a huge amount – about patients’ needs, the NHS needs’ and your own needs for development. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
Sophie Bostock, Sleepio (2016 Fellow)

“Access to any healthcare market with innovations is known to be time consuming and resource intensive. With the NIA, you will have the insights and network to really target your efforts to maximum effect.”
Francis White, AliveCor (2015 Fellow)

“The NIA raised the profile of our work, opened doors to investment, and introduced us to other international innovators.”
Bernadette Porter, NeuroResponse (2015 Fellow)

For more insight on the benefits of being an NIA Fellow, take a look at our Twitter campaign @NHSAccelerator or search #NIA17call

Details about upcoming information events will be posted here when available.

Information events offer potential applicants the opportunity to learn more about the NIA, and meet the team and current Fellows.

These face-to-face events are designed to:

• Provide an overview of the NIA and the application process
• Information as to the support available via the NIA and the benefits of being an NIA Fellow
• Give insights as to what makes a strong scaling plan in the NHS

Call for Applications document
Guide for Applicants
FAQs