European Health Programme

The European Commission has approved funding for a new programme for health. This programme could be of interest to researchers in the University involved in health based research. The objectives of this fund are to:

  • strengthen action to promote health and prevent diseases;
  • be better prepared to protect citizens against health emergencies and to coordinate action at European level to address them;
  • increase the up-take of innovation in health; and
  • improve people’s access to medical expertise and information for specific conditions; and improve healthcare quality and patient safety.

It is expected that the first calls for proposals will come out by early May 2014. It is expected that they will launch an annual call for proposals.

The funders will cover between 60-80% of project costs, so projects will require a degree of match funding.

Universities are eligible to apply. The fund will include action grants that contribute to the cost of joint transnational projects; and plus tenders for public procurement contracts.

More details on this programme can be found here http://ec.europa.eu/health/programme/policy/2014-2020/state_of_play_en.htm

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Info Day: http://ec.europa.eu/health/programme/events/info_day_2014_en.htm

2014 Fast Forward Competition opens

2014 Fast Forward Logo

Entries for a competition to turn innovative ideas into reality have opened for eligible universities and research establishments. As part of the 2014 Fast Forward competition they are now able to compete for a pot of the £750,000 funding available.

The closing date for entries in the competition (electronic and paper) is Friday 13 December 2013.

Since 2010, the competition has provided £2 million worth of funding and inspired 35 innovative UK projects.

Universities and public sector research establishments are encouraged to work collaboratively with businesses and local communities on projects that best use innovation and Intellectual Property (IP). Last year’s projects were in the areas of healthcare and social enterprises, clean technology construction and aerospace.

• Bloodhound@University project which is involved in the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC) world land speed record project. Based at the University of the West of England, Bloodhound@University secured £80,000 in funding.

• ITALIA project from Buckinghamshire New University. The project was awarded £70,000 to bring together a variety of medical experts, university academics and Buckinghamshire County Council to develop new telehealth solutions to connect patients and doctors

How to enter

Download an application pack MS Word Document(463Kb) and a copy of Terms and Conditions PDF document(233Kb) and submit the form either by email (IPO preference) to competition@ipo.gov.uk or by post:

Fast Forward Competition
C/O Matthew Larreta (GY05)
Freepost CF 4185
Newport
NP20 1ZZ

 

Wellcome Trust launches new investment company

On January 3rd the Wellcome Trust launched a new healthcare venture capital fund through a subsidiary investment company, Syncona Partners LLP (“Syncona”).  Syncona is looking to develop a portfolio of investments in healthcare devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, information technology, and services.  Syncona will support early- and late-stage companies, as a majority investor or as part of a syndicate.  Syncona has starting capital of £200 million and will be looking to support investments between £1m and £20m to support the creation of sustainable healthcare businesses.

Further information is at http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2013/WTP041359.htm.