Major funding opportunity opens for early cancer diagnostics
pharmafile | September 4, 2026 | News story | | Innovate UK, NHS, Scotland, cancer research funding
Up to £25.4m in funding is available for collaborative projects developing technologies to improve the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, with Scotland’s life sciences community being encouraged to apply.
Innovate UK, on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals programme, is offering grants of between £1.5m and £4m for industrial research and experimental development projects. The competition has a particular focus on less common cancers and is open to collaborations led by organisations across the NHS, academia and industry.
The funding will support the clinical validation and evaluation of early diagnostic technologies and devices, with projects expected to generate evidence that could support regulatory approval and future NHS adoption.
Eligible work includes clinical validation and evaluation studies, early-phase clinical trials, safety and efficacy testing, technology demonstration, regulatory planning and product development.
InnoScot Health is encouraging Scottish organisations with relevant expertise to consider applying, with applications open from 1 September to 28 October.
Frances Ramsay, Head of Business Development at InnoScot Health, said Scotland already has expertise across approaches including rapid-access clinical pathways, AI-supported imaging and technologies developed by university spinouts that could potentially be applied to less common cancers.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration between the NHS, industry and academia in developing technologies that can demonstrate both clinical and health-economic value.
Scottish consortia must include at least one UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise claiming grant funding, alongside evidence of relevant clinical experience.
Related Content
Scots neonatal innovations target hearing loss and earlier care
Scottish healthcare teams are introducing a range of innovations aimed at improving outcomes for newborns, …
Agentis Health Group acquires Clinical Pharmacist Solutions
Agentis Health Group has acquired Clinical Pharmacist Solutions (CPS), strengthening its pharmacy and digital health …
NHS spends £240m storing patient records as digital reforms gather pace
The NHS spent almost £240m storing patient records in 2024/25, according to analysis by The …
