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

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

28/01/2026

👀Open call for health tech collaborators. 🏥The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) HealthTech Research Centre Devices digital and robotics (NIHR HRC-DDR) collaborates with innovators to accelerate the development of health tech by generating evidence to support the future acceptance of their technology.

🩻They are seeking collaborative project proposals from innovators across the health and care sectors (including health care professionals, researchers and SMEs).

⚕️Join an upcoming webinar to find out more:
Register: https://lnkd.in/eT7geAau

27/01/2026

The Applied Partnership Awards – Women’s Health 2026 call is designed to bring knowledge users and researchers together to develop applied research projects that address a documented need within the Irish health or social care system in the area of women’s health. Research findings will have a direct impact on decision-making in the knowledge user organisation.

Two million euro of dedicated funds are being made available to the HRB from the Department of Health, under the aegis of the Women’s Health Taskforce, to fund up to ten research projects (a maximum of €200,000 per project) over 12–24 months.

As with all applications to the APA scheme, along with a Lead Applicant – Researcher, each proposal requires a Lead Applicant – Knowledge User. The level of co-funding commitment from the knowledge user partner(s) must be equivalent to a minimum of 10% of the total amount requested from the HRB (assessed as direct or “cash” contributions only).

Applications in any aspect of women’s health research are eligible for funding.

Applications in the following four priority areas are especially welcome:
· Postpartum Mental Health, with a particular focus on Traumatic Births
· Endometriosis
· Menstruation
· Research on Culturally Sensitive Healthcare/Intersectional impacts on Women’s Health

Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dk4TN3Na

26/01/2026

Matrix, The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, in collaboration with the Department for the Economy NI (DfE), has commissioned a strategic research project to map Northern Ireland's engineering biology landscape and identify opportunities for sectoral development.

Northern Ireland has distinctive strengths in manufacturing, life sciences research, and agri-food innovation. Your expertise is essential to identifying our unique competitive advantages, understanding capabilities and gaps, and shaping realistic recommendations that will inform government, academia and industry.

The project is being delivered by IfM Engage, University of Cambridge, from November 2025 to March 2026, with leading experts and academics.

Engineering biology applies engineering principles to biological systems, including combining biology, manufacturing, data science, and computational expertise. This emerging discipline has transformative potential across four priority sectors, which will be covered in the project:
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Agri-Food and Environment
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Environmental Solutions

This study aims to:
• Map Northern Ireland's current engineering biology capabilities and strengths
• Conduct SWOT analysis across the four priority sectors
• Benchmark Northern Ireland against international engineering biology initiatives
• Develop strategic roadmaps identifying opportunities
• Provide recommendations for policy and investment

The project employs Cambridge's strategic roadmapping methodology (S-Plan), which involves:
• Literature review and international benchmarking
• Stakeholder interviews with leaders across academia, industry, and government
• Comprehensive sector survey and analysis
• Strategic roadmapping workshop on 3rd February 2026 at Belfast Metropolitan College

For more information and to get involved, contact Anthony Donnelly Email: Anthony.Donnelly@economy-ni.gov.uk

23/01/2026

6D-Dementia is a clinically developed digital workforce development platform that supports health and social care staff and family caregivers to better understand dementia, recognise and respond to distress, and deliver consistent, person-centred support.

The company was independently developed by Dr Frances Duffy, informed by insights gained through years of frontline clinical practice supporting people living with dementia. “After more than 15 years working in older people’s mental health services, I repeatedly saw people living with dementia experience distress not because of dementia itself, but because their needs were misunderstood or responses were shaped by pressure, fear or risk. Staff and carers wanted to help, but often lacked a shared framework, confidence or practical tools to guide their decisions.

“6D Dementia was created to bridge that gap, translating psychological theory and evidence into practical, accessible training that supports real-world care. While early delivery focused on in-person training and consultancy, it quickly became clear that digital delivery was essential to achieve scale, consistency and sustainability,” said Frances.

The company has been supported through a combination of clinical networks, academic partnerships and innovation programmes, including the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, Invest Northern Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Innovate UK, national Health Innovation Networks, regional support through HIRANI, and Awaken Hub. This support has provided both practical and strategic insight to enable platform development, evaluation and sustainable growth.

Find out more here: https://hira-ni.com/creating-an-informed-dementia-framework/

22/01/2026

Our Chief Communications Officer, Caroline McEvoy, was excited to be at Ulster University this week to celebrate the official launch of the Health Frontiers–Technology Innovation Centre, a flagship €9.1M project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) - European Funding.

The project is designed to accelerate next-generation digital health and medical technology innovation across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Scotland.

Delivered under Ulster University’s Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology, the Health Frontiers project will drive cutting-edge research and development in medical devices, artificial intelligence, and digital health systems, supporting clinicians and health systems to embed technology-driven care pathways.

Department for the Economy NI Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said:

“By driving commercially focused research, supporting SMEs and building skills, Health Frontiers will boost productivity, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and create high-value jobs, positioning the north as a key player in MedTech innovation.

“I congratulate all partners on this achievement and look forward to the lasting benefits it will deliver for our economy and health outcomes.”

The Health Frontiers initiative will transform healthcare by bringing together 11 leading academic and clinical partners, including Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI), to tackle real-world challenges. Through collaboration with 25 MedTech small-medium enterprises (SMEs), the project will drive innovation that directly benefits patients, developing more than 25 new products and processes designed to improve care and outcomes.

Beyond advancing medical technology, Health Frontiers will create jobs, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and foster long-term economic and social growth, ensuring that breakthroughs in research translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Health Frontiers will focus on three interlinked areas of innovation:

🩻Next Generation Medical Device Technologies – Designing and validating innovative, user-centred devices focused on key clinical challenges.

⚕️Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health Systems – Harnessing data science, machine learning, and AI to enhance clinical decision-making and care delivery.

🏥Digital Transformation of Clinical Practice and Culture – Supporting clinicians and health systems to adopt, trust, and embed technology-driven care pathways.

20/01/2026

PulseAI, a rapidly emerging leader in AI-enabled cardiac diagnostics, last week announced the closing of its seed funding round, led by INNOVATION ULSTER LIMITED, with participation from The Mortara Group and The Francis Crick Institute. The investment will enable PulseAI to scale deployment of its AI-ECG technology and advance its pathway through US FDA 510(k) clearance.

Over 300 million electrocardiograms (ECGs) are performed annually worldwide. However, despite the critical importance of the ECG as a frontline diagnostic tool, its interpretation remains highly dependent on specialist training and manual analysis. This often leads to delays, diagnostic variability, and missed opportunities for early intervention. PulseAI's AI-ECG platform is designed to address this challenge directly by delivering high-performance clinical decision support in both primary and acute care settings.

As part of the round, Dr. Justin Mortara, Ph.D. , an experienced innovator in ECG technologies and former CEO of Mortara Instruments, will join PulseAI as Chair of the Board, strengthening the company's strategic alignment with global leaders in cardiac monitoring, diagnostics, and hospital systems.

PulseAI's technology, trained on large-scale ECG datasets and validated in partnership with some of the world's leading institutions across Europe and the United States, promises to bring the power of AI to one of the most widely used diagnostic tests.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/e969UTgf

14/01/2026

💊Join an event to explore how the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast uses cutting-edge research and education to improve health and tackle disease.

💉From developing new medicines and medical devices to enhancing patient care in hospitals and communities, discover pharmacy in action through practical experiments, immersive experiences, and insight into training the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.

Where: School of Pharmacy, QUB 97 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7BL

When: Thursday 19th Feb, 7:00 pm

Find out more and register: https://nisciencefestival.com/event/the-wonderful-world-of-pharmacy/

13/01/2026

NI company ARC Regulatory has been recognised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as a Health Institution Lab for EU & UK Clinical Trial Testing🩻

💊The MHRA is a the UK Regulator for Medicines and Medical Devices and has announced that ARC Research Laboratories can conduct testing of EU and UK patient samples for Clinical Trials under the IVDR Health Institution Exemption (Article 5(5)).

🏥After their alignment with the MHRA in 2025, ARC Laboratories now meets the definition of a Health Institution as outlined in the IVDR, which applies in Northern Ireland.

⚕️This designation enables faster, more flexible start-up and ex*****on of clinical trials that involve EU patients, helping sponsors expand their trials in to Europe, reduce timelines, manage costs, and accelerate precision medicine programmes more efficiently within the EU.

08/01/2026

Join an online funding workshop for SMEs trying to get research funding for a health or life sciences innovation. This workshop is geared towards those applying to schemes such as the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Invention for Innovation (i4i) scheme, and Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst.

This free-to-attend online workshop is hosted by the NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) and the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) – Community Healthcare, supported by the NIHR Research Support Service National Collaborative.

Aims:
• Understand the funding landscape for the health and life sciences industry
• Understand what is involved and what is expected in a funding application
• Understand how to pitch your project in a clear and convincing way so reviewers can see its importance and how you plan to do the work

Outline of the day:
• The Context of Innovation Funding, New Developments & the Funding Process
• Building a Team Who Can Deliver
• Evidence to Support Your Product’s Development – Competing Technologies, Proof of Concept, Prior Work and Previous Applications
• Defining Your Aims and Objectives
• Research Plan – Typical Workpackages
• Project Planning: Milestones, Deliverables, Gantt Charts and Flow Diagrams
• The Importance of Public Involvement and Research Inclusion
• Demonstrating the Potential for Impact
• How to Write and Pitch an Application
• Funding Success Stories
• The Industry Ecosystem and Who Can Help
• Q&A Panel

Full programme here:
https://lnkd.in/ehMNtcc3

Enquiries to nihr-rss@soton.ac.uk

Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland

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