NIHR launches £45m funding for health research partnerships

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched a £45 million Strategic Infrastructure Partnerships (SIPs) programme to address challenges within the English health and care system. This initiative supports large-scale collaborations designed to generate evidence, accelerate innovation, and improve patient outcomes. Funding is directed toward two primary areas: technologies that enable independent living at home and methods to reduce demand on urgent, emergency, and primary care services. Individual partnerships can receive up to £15 million over three to five years.

In a related regional development, the Applied Research Collaboration Thames Valley (ARC: Thames Valley) has launched a £17.8 million, five-year partnership. This collaboration aims to connect research with local priorities by involving community organisations, healthcare staff, and the public. The project focuses on health across all life stages, utilizing digital tools, data, and social care to improve decision-making and support services within the region.