FAQs

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) sits at the intersection of the NHS and the wider healthcare innovation ecosystem, enabling proven innovations to scale nationally and improve outcomes for patients, staff, and the wider system. 

Funded by NHS England, delivered in partnership with the 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) and hosted by UCLPartners, the NIA provides intensive, tailored support to innovators through a three-year fellowship programme. This makes it one of the NHS’ flagship vehicles for spreading high-impact, evidence-based innovation. 

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) team run the programme’s learning and innovator support, work with system partners to connect innovations to the NHS, and do communications and events. This includes:  

• Administering the recruitment, selection and contracting process of the NIA fellows. 
• Working with partner organisations (NHS England, HINs) and supporting organisations (The Health Foundation, Department of Health and Social Care, Healthcare UK) to optimise the value of the NIA for fellows and the wider NHS. 
• Coordinating launch events, quarterly events, and additional learning sessions. 
• Connecting fellows to HINs and Mentor support. 
• Identifying and meeting any gaps in the support package offered to fellows. 
• Providing secretariat for the NIA Programme Board. 
• Engaging with NHS England to optimise opportunities for the fellows and to address systemic barriers. 
• Coordinate and manage communication and engagement activities to support NIA aims. 
• Providing day-to-day support to the fellows. 

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) is distinct from other accelerators and initiatives because it supports both the individual fellow and their innovation, with a national focus on spreading proven health and care innovations across the NHS.

Unlike programmes that focus on a specific type of solution, company stage or professional group, the NIA is open to all types of health and care innovation, including digital, medtech, workforce and models of care. It supports innovators from any professional background and from anywhere in the world, provided they are seeking to scale in England’s NHS. 

The NIA is not designed for start-up or early-stage innovations. It supports innovations that are already in use in at least one site, can demonstrate positive impact, and are ready to spread widely. 

By comparison, the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator and HIN regional digital health accelerators typically work with earlier-stage companies that need closer local NHS engagement to trial products or build evidence. These initiatives focus on digital solutions and support the company, whereas the NIA supports the individual fellow and the innovation, and is not limited to digital health. 

It differs from SBRI Healthcare as they provide funding to develop innovations that address challenges facing the healthcare system. Our fellows may apply to SBRI for funding, but the NIA itself is an accelerator focused on adoption, spread and fellow support rather than a funding programme. 

The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) is also distinct from the NIA because it is specifically for clinicians and supports entrepreneurial development during clinical training.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) is commissioned by NHS England and is delivered by England’s 15  Health Innovation Networks (HINs). Each of these partners provides funding for the NIA.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) aligns closely with the Health Innovation Networks (HINs) by helping identify, support and spread proven healthcare innovations across the NHS.

Key ways the NIA supports HINs include:

• Driving innovation and economic growth: NIA Fellows and their innovations contribute to HIN goals by attracting investment, creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
• Providing high-quality innovations: The NIA rigorously assesses and selects evidence-based innovations that address both local healthcare needs and national NHS priorities.
• Helping innovations scale nationally: Working with HINs, NICE and NIHR, the NIA strengthens the evidence base for innovations and helps prepare them for wider NHS adoption through business support and implementation planning.
• Generating evidence on adoption and spread: The NIA conducts research and evaluations to understand what helps innovations succeed, scale and reduce health inequalities, providing valuable learning for HINs and the wider NHS.
• Sharing knowledge and best practice: The NIA promotes regular learning and collaboration across the innovation ecosystem.

The programme is open to innovators from any background, organisation or country, provided their innovation has proven results in real-world settings and aligns with the programme’s priority themes.

Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Better outcomes at lower cost
• Strong evidence showing the innovation is ready for wider NHS adoption
• Passion for learning, collaboration and sharing knowledge
• Commitment to improving patient and population health through innovation
• Focus on reducing health inequalities and improving equitable access to care

The NIA welcomes applications from clinicians, academics, charities, public sector organisations, SMEs and large companies, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We hold an annual call for applicants, this year opening on 17 August 2026 and running to 27 September 2026.

When the NIA call opens, applicants are asked to submit an online application form detailing information about themselves and their skills, experience and competencies to spread an innovation as well as their innovation, the problem it addresses, the evidence as to its effectiveness and their strategy for scaling in the NHS.

Please visit our Apply  page for more information.

Applications undergo a rigorous selection process. Each application is reviewed by multiple assessors with expertise in areas such as clinical practice, patient experience, commercial development and implementation. Assessors consider the strength of the innovation, the applicant’s ability to lead its adoption, and whether there is a clear need for NIA support rather than a simpler local route to scaling.

Applicants who are shortlisted are invited to attend a panel interview. Following these assessments, a final decision panel reviews all recommendations and decides which applicants will be offered a conditional place on the programme.

Before joining the NIA, successful applicants must complete several final checks. These include providing two references, one from their employer and another from an organisation currently using the innovation, completing due diligence requirements, and, where relevant, supplying company and financial information.

Please visit our Apply  page for more information.

The Health Innovation Network is uniquely placed to identify and support the spread health innovation at pace and scale, driving the adoption and spread of innovative ideas and technologies across large populations. There are 15 across the country and these should be your first port of call for support with your innovation.

An NIA Fellow is an individual selected through the NHS Innovation Accelerator’s highly competitive annual programme to help scale a proven healthcare innovation across the NHS.

Fellows come from a variety of backgrounds, including healthcare, academia and industry, and are chosen because they have developed or lead an innovation with the potential to improve patient care and NHS services. Both the Fellow and their innovation undergo a rigorous assessment process before being accepted onto the programme.

As part of the NIA, Fellows receive support to help spread their innovation more widely and are expected to share their knowledge and experience with others. They are committed to improving patient outcomes, supporting innovation adoption, and helping the NHS implement effective new solutions.

To successfully spread innovation in the NHS, our experience has found that you need: an inspiring leader who can engage effectively and lead the scaling of a health innovation, and a great innovation, at the right level of maturity, supported by evidence and the right business model.

The NIA’s dual focus on personal development for individuals (‘Fellows’) and bespoke support to spread an innovation recognises that both are critical to scaling in the NHS.

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) does not provide funding, but it offers tailored support to help Fellows overcome barriers to adopting and spreading their innovations across the NHS. While being part of the NIA does not guarantee national adoption or preferred supplier status, it provides valuable expertise, connections and learning opportunities.

NIA Fellows receive access to mentors, networking opportunities through the Health Innovation Networks (HINs), quarterly learning events, peer support, and specialist guidance on topics such as procurement, commissioning, health economics, business case development and media engagement. The programme also helps Fellows connect with other local and national innovation initiatives.

By the end of their first year, Fellows are expected to have developed a clear and practical plan for scaling their innovation, expanded their network of key stakeholders and decision-makers, improved their understanding of NHS innovation pathways, and addressed important knowledge gaps with support from mentors and the NIA team.

Fellows can access support from the NIA for up to 3 years, after which they will be offered the opportunity to become an NIA Alumni.

An NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) Mentor is a high-profile expert with a broad skill base. Their support is predominantly in the form of advice, guidance and networking. Our pool of Mentors is regularly expanded to support the experiences and identified needs of the Fellows.

Meet our current Mentors.

If you are interested in becoming an NIA Mentor, email us at [email protected].

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) sets high expectations for its Fellows and the innovations they lead. Fellows must actively participate in the programme and commit significant time and effort to scaling their innovation across the NHS.

As part of the programme, Fellows agree to spend around two days per week on NIA-related activities, attend launch and quarterly events, submit progress reports, and work with the NIA team to develop and deliver a scaling plan. They are also expected to complete agreed activities and milestones during their first year.

Failure to meet these requirements can result in a Fellow leaving the programme. This may happen if they breach their contract, do not follow the NIA code of conduct, miss key events, fail to deliver agreed activities, or behave in a way that is inconsistent with the values and ethos of the NIA.

If a Fellow is no longer able to maintain their commitment to the NIA, for example if they are no longer working for the company supporting their innovation, they are able to put forward a permanent replacement candidate, who will then go through a formal application process. Replacement Fellows are carefully assessed and must attend an interview with NIA stakeholders before a recommendation is ratified by the NIA programme board.

If for any reason a Fellow is no longer able to participate in the NIA and does not wish to be replaced, they are offered the opportunity to become an Alumni early.

Innovations on the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) are adopted by support of the fellow and innovation through a bespoke learning programme, mentorship and networking opportunities to equip Fellows with critical knowledge, relationships and skills to scale innovation in the NHS.

The NIA does not offer a guaranteed route to widespread adoption across the NHS. Being on the NIA does not offer preferred supplier status.

All NHS sites remain accountable for their decisions and care provision/ safety, and as such undertake their own scrutiny of NIA innovations before they decide through their local governance structures whether to use them or not. The NIA does not seek to duplicate, circumvent or replace these local decision making processes. NHS sites are not mandated to take up NIA innovations.

The NIA does not perform independent scrutiny of the evidence base put forward by the applicant.