The National Institute for Health Research’s Surgical MedTech Cooperative invites applications for its proof-of-concept and principle funding. This provides pump-prime or clinical session funding for researchers, clinicians and industry working in colorectal, hepato-pancreato-biliary or vascular surgery. This call comprises the following two themes: •technology driven theme, titled convergence of technologies, aims to explore the tools and technologies headed for surgery in the next three to five years, and the unmet needs they address; there is value in shaping these needs early and identifying the economic case for development, especially for those that promise the greatest level of disruption; •clinically driven theme, titled the future of surgery, aims to explore and identify the innovations that will most likely affect surgical treatment and the delivery of surgical care; applicants will need to consider the demographic changes, the burden of disease and how the delivery of clinical care is changing. All applications must have a clinical collaborator. Industry-led applications must include matched funding which can be financial or in-kind support. Successful applicants will work in conjunction with the NIHR Surgical MIC and its extensive network in order to successfully prototype or validate their ideas and show proof of concept or principle. Industry involvement is recommended where possible. Projects leveraging industry or third-party funding to translate research for clinical impact are also important to the NIHR Surgical Medtech Cooperative. All applications should have a strong emphasis on patient benefit with plans for patient and public involvement. Grants are worth up to £10,000 each. 

Website: https://surgicalmic.nihr.ac.uk/support-available/funding-competitions/