Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland, 3 Dargan Crescent, Belfast (2026)

05/05/2026

Join Innovate UK at The Ebrington Hotel, Derry/Londonderry on 20th May for a programme shaped around real business journeys, expert insights, and the evolving needs of Northern Ireland’s dynamic innovation ecosystem.

What to expect?
Throughout the day, they’ll explore how innovation can directly support your business through:
- Clear growth pathways
- Understand the support, programmes and expertise available locally and nationally.
- Real-world stories
- Hear from businesses who have successfully innovated with support from the Innovate UK system.
- The evolving innovation landscape
- Get a concise picture of the agencies, networks and opportunities relevant to Northern Ireland.
- Financing innovation
- Learn how to access public and private funding through Business Growth, angel networks, venture partners and support organisations.
- Meaningful connections
- Meet the people and organisations who can help you take your next step.

Who should attend?
Businesses of any size, from any sector, based in Northern Ireland.
Whether you’re exploring innovation for the first time, scaling new ideas, or looking for specialist support, this event is designed to meet you where you are.

Why attend?
- Gain a clear understanding of the innovation support landscape in Northern Ireland.
- Hear practical business journeys from leaders who have grown with Innovate UK support.
- Explore funding routes across public and private sectors, access support from Innovate UK Business Growth, British Business Bank, angel groups and VCs.
- Build connections with regional partners, including growth hubs, ecosystem partners, catapults and local councils.
- Leave with actionable next steps tailored to your innovation journey.

This event is in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland.

Find out more and register: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/events/innovate-local-northern-ireland-2026/

30/04/2026

Following on from Health Tech Spring, we are mapping out our connections to help our region overcome barriers to cross-sector working for commercialisation and innovation. We would like to invite you to take part in a short survey as part of a project with the Academy of Medical Sciences. This is exploring how cross-sector collaboration in life and health sciences translates into real-world impact.

The survey takes around 10–12 minutes to complete and is open to anyone studying or working across academia, health and social care, industry, government, or the wider ecosystem.

We are keen to hear a broad range of perspectives, from those early in their career to those in leadership roles. The findings will provide evidence to shape future funding approaches, support programmes, and policy decisions aimed at strengthening cross-sector collaboration.

You can complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MiQjyAlriECz7xIVidJgBYic4G2TFPZDgao0RDYL3ilUQjBZMkJaUEpJMFVPSEQxWDVDWDU5N1NXSC4u&route=shorturl

Thank you for your time and contribution.

16/03/2026

The Future Medicines Institute at Queen's University Belfast are now offering apprenticeships, providing hands-on experience within a world-leading research environment.
💊 These roles offer a unique opportunity to develop practical skills, gain valuable industry experience, and contribute to innovative work in the life and health sciences sector.
💊 If you are a student or early-career candidates with an interest in science, technology, and research, apply and become part of the next generation of talent helping to advance future medicines apply here: https://www.futuremedicinesinstitute.com/apprenticeships

02/03/2026

💡 The 2026 Health Tech Spring conference 'Call for Pitchers' invites Northern Ireland life sciences innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers to present groundbreaking ideas, products, or projects that address real-world health challenges and inspire meaningful change.
💡 This event provides a platform to showcase visionary concepts, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable exposure and support.

💡 Who Can Apply
Startups and early-stage companies
Independent innovators and creators
Students and academic teams with a commercial product or service

💡 Submission requirements
A concise pitch deck (maximum 4 slides)
A one-page executive summary
Optional: short video (up to 2 minutes) introducing the idea or team

💡 Key Dates
Call Opens: March 2, 2026
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
Pitch Event: Friday 24th April, 2026

💡 Evaluation Criteria
Originality and innovation
Feasibility and scalability
Market potential and impact
Team capability and vision

💡 What you get:
Mentorship from industry experts
Media exposure and networking opportunities
Access to investors and potential partners

💡 How to Apply
Submit all materials to emma.mccarley@hira-ni.com before 12 noon on March 31st.
Late submissions will not be considered.

25/02/2026

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has developed a pilot programme offering clinical investigation application fee waivers to micro and small sized UK enterprises. The programme aims to support patient access to innovative devices by testing the impact of removing regulatory costs for smaller sized firms, where those fees might act as a barrier to growth or innovation.

Pilot programme details
Duration: The pilot programme will run from 5 January 2026 until 31 March 2026.
Waivers available: A total of ten waivers will be available during this period for Class I, IIa or Class IIb applications.
Effect: No clinical investigation application fee will be payable for applicants who are successful in receiving a waiver.
Innovative Device Criteria
To be considered an innovative device, the investigational medical device must meet all the following device acceptance criteria:
(a) The product is either new or a novel modification of existing technologies.
(b) There are no solutions that fulfil the same clinical need that have regulatory approval in the UK.
(c) The device can be scaled with the end goal of benefiting the system, patients and/or care providers.

The pilot will close on 31 March, or once ten waivers have been granted. This may occur before the scheduled end date.
At the end of the pilot, the MHRA will analyse the outcomes and publish a summary of next steps.

Email CI-applications@mhra.gov.uk if you have further questions regarding the fee waiver pilot.
For updates on an ongoing SME status application, please contact sales-invoices@mhra.gov.uk.

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e_8qs7Xd

18/02/2026

Join HIRANI and the Academy of Medical Sciences for their first cross-sector event of 2026; ‘Connecting Regional Strengths for Health System Impact.’

Northern Ireland has world-class health innovation assets from integrated health and social care with embedded solutions, strong academic and clinical research capability, and established public engagement structures, yet these assets too often stop at infrastructure or pilot stage.

This event focuses on how regional capability becomes something the system can actually use, with data infrastructure and data skills treated as means to adoption, not ends in themselves.

We will hear from speakers across areas including NIPACs+, Ulster University Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology, UU School of Medicine, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland R&D, Queen's University Belfast (Momentum One Zero), and those involved in running clinical trials.

Who should attend? We welcome individuals from all sectors and all career stages. We encourage you to invite colleagues and peers, especially those who are in the early stages of their research careers.

When: Tuesday 10th March

Location: Momentum One Zero, Queen's Titanic Quarter, BT3 9DT

Register: https://lnkd.in/eqU5gspH

16/02/2026

👩‍⚕️ Closing tomorrow 17th February - Don't miss out on early bird tickets for Health Tech Spring 2026 taking place on the 23rd and 24th April 2026!
Hosted by the Health Innovation and Research Alliance NI (HIRANI), the annual Health Tech Spring conference is a two-day event showcasing the region, supporting local innovators and promoting cross sector collaboration.

🧬 With over 20 fringe events, the conference will include a “Life Sciences, Life Support” event for businesses who provide support services to the life science industry and an industry skills workshop for further education students.

💡 With innovation zones, masterclasses, pitching competitions, patient engagement sessions, interactive forums, global keynotes and local thought leaders, Health Tech Spring 2026 promises to be another iconic conference hosted in the Titanic Building.

Get your early bird ticket here: https://hira-ni.com/health-tech-spring/

13/02/2026

The Patients Association are looking for women to take part in their focus group to help develop a Women’s Health Plan for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

As part of a wider initiative for reducing health inequalities, the MHRA is developing a Women’s Health Plan. The plan aims to encourage innovation in medicines and medical devices for women’s health and address different outcomes between men and women when using these, without adding unnecessary regulations.

The patients association will host a discussion with women on the early themes identified by the MHRA for this plan, and what is likely to have the biggest impact for them in their use of medicines and medical devices throughout their lives. The focus group will take place on Wednesday, 18th February, and patients will receive an £80 Love2Shop voucher for their contributions.

Find out more: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHRAWHP

05/02/2026

$200k challenge closing on 15th February - register now for an information session on 10 February https://luma.com/ttmtcpvr ! Join a global pitch competition offering emerging Medtech and Biotech startups access to a $200,000 pool of in-kind support plus significant cash awards to help bring breakthrough innovations to market.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell’ Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) have launched the 15th Annual M2D2 $200K Challenge, an opportunity designed to showcase the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of seed and early-stage medical device and biotech companies.
Secure your spot at the AwakenHub and University of Massachusetts Lowell info session on Tuesday, February 10 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM GMT, hosted online via Zoom https://luma.com/ttmtcpvr

The M2D2 $200K Challenge Program is sponsored in partnership with Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative Institute, Hologic, Inc., MPR Product Development, Mintz, RQMIS (Regulatory/Quality Management Information Source), Withum and UMass Chan Medical School.

Register now to find out exactly how your Medtech or Biotech startup can tap into the 2026 M2D2 $200K Challenge. Learn what judges are looking for, how international founders successfully use M2D2 as a landing pad into the Boston ecosystem.

What Is the M2D2 $200K Challenge?
Now in its 15th year, the M2D2 $200K Challenge is a global competition for early-stage medical device, diagnostic, and biotech startups. Finalists pitch at UMass Lowell’s iHub in front of industry judges and sponsors, competing for a share of in-kind prizes such as lab and office space, engineering and product development support, legal and regulatory guidance, and business services, plus cash awards that can meaningfully extend a startup’s runway.

03/02/2026

Calling Northern Ireland health innovators, researchers and spin-outs!

Digital Isle of Man is inviting innovators, researchers and spin-outs from Northern Ireland to enter the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2026 — a global competition focused on health and social care innovation.

This year’s Challenge explores how digital transformation, collaboration and new technologies can strengthen services, improve outcomes and support a healthier, more connected Island.

Innovators are invited to present solutions aligned to three core themes: Working Smarter, Wellness and Home First.

Applications close: 27 February 2026

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekqAaDnJ

02/02/2026

This weeks funding roundup! Ulster Bank has launched a pitch competition to offer entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to win a share of funding to fuel their growth. This is part of a wider prize pot of £1m to be given out over a series of competitions across the UK this year and will make a dedicated £60,000 prize fund available to businesses registered in Northern Ireland.

To mark 10 years of the bank’s accelerator programme, Ulster Bank has launched its biggest ever cash prize and, to be in with a chance of winning, entrepreneurs are invited to submit a 60-second video pitch on their business and making the case for how a share of the £60,000 prize pot would help them grow their business.

Twelve of the best submissions will be selected to compete in a live semi-final event where they will deliver a live pitch and Q&A infront of a panel of judges from Ulster Bank and other partner organisations and also participate in an online voting process on the Belfast Telegraph website.

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eK8bCKSj

Looking for further funding opportunities?

EUP OHAMR 2026 transnational call: New treatments to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), closes 2nd February https://lnkd.in/eHjvViGK

Pre-announcement: Future Leaders Fellowship: round 11, closes 2nd February https://lnkd.in/e_kjfHay

Horizon Europe - European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems - Joint Transnational Call 2026, closes 2nd February https://lnkd.in/eshzHHXE

Innovate UK Growth Catalyst – Investor Partnerships Round 2, closes 3rd February https://lnkd.in/e7YWVSdJ

Women in Innovation Awards 2025 to 2026, closes 4th February https://lnkd.in/e4eHs2sw

Application Development Award for Health and Care Professionals, closes 4th February https://lnkd.in/eVtYYbr9

Knowledge Transfer Partnership: 2025 to 2026 round five, closes 4th February https://lnkd.in/e9KPZufu

BBSRC 2025 Transformative Research Technologies (25TRT), closes 11th February https://lnkd.in/ea5vX5hF

Research for Patient Benefit - November 2025, closes 25th February https://lnkd.in/eCc42PkJ

Science Community Grant, closes 27th February https://lnkd.in/e4NzknP5

Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland

05/05/2026

30/04/2026

16/03/2026

02/03/2026

25/02/2026

18/02/2026

16/02/2026

13/02/2026

05/02/2026

03/02/2026

02/02/2026

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