Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland

Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland HIRANI connects & acts as a single voice for Life & Health Sciences in NI

As a recent Co-CREATE partner, we joined day one of the Co-Create Ireland Summer School recently, as the programme welco...
23/06/2026

As a recent Co-CREATE partner, we joined day one of the Co-Create Ireland Summer School recently, as the programme welcomed eight newly recruited PhD researchers who will be joining the Co-Create network across the National College of Art & Design, Belfast School of Art, University of Limerick, and Atlantic Technological University over the next four years.

🖌️ The day connected researchers, partners and collaborators from across sectors to explore collaborative approaches to research and innovation.

Through interactive sessions, shared learning, and practical discussions, the programme focuses on co-creation methodologies, inclusive research practices, and building sustainable partnerships that generate meaningful impact. It offers a space to exchange ideas, develop new skills, and strengthen connections across the research and innovation community.

The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Academy partnership awards schemes are open now for NI applic...
23/06/2026

The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Academy partnership awards schemes are open now for NI applicants:
Find out more and apply 👇
• Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) award - closes 15 July - https://lnkd.in/e3mjgiYp

The DSE award is a postdoctoral-level funding opportunity. If you are an early to mid-career researcher, it can support you to gain specific skills and experience to underpin the next phase of your research career.

A DSE award must help you to develop the relevant and required skills to make a competitive NIHR personal award or NIHR research grant application.

What funding is available through a DSE award?
The DSE provides funding for:
the salary of the award holder for up to 2 years
training and development costs, including any related travel and subsistence, up to ÂŁ5,000 per year FTE
conference costs up to ÂŁ1,000 per year FTE
mentorship costs up to ÂŁ3,000, which may include working with people and communities

• Pre-Application Support Fund (Cohort 9) – closes- 16th July
https://lnkd.in/e6y5hdxZ

The Pre-Application Support Fund offers extra support to prepare a competitive application for an NIHR career development award and is open to all career stages and offers extra support to those who need it.

It’s designed to help you prepare a competitive application for an NIHR career development award, with up to 12 months of flexible funding available. We normally expect funding through this award to last a minimum of 6 months.

This funding enhances the opportunities and support available to those who otherwise may not be able to apply for one of our career development awards. You can enhance your skills and knowledge through bespoke training, placements and mentorship.

We were so excited to be at the QEII Centre in London yesterday for the 10th NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Big Pit...
09/06/2026

We were so excited to be at the QEII Centre in London yesterday for the 10th NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Big Pitch! 🥳 .

đź’Š The programme has made a significant contribution in Northern Ireland since its delivery began in 2022.

đź’‰ Its impact has been both economic and systemic. Participants have secured funding, created jobs, and contributed to wider UK innovation success. Just as importantly, the programme supports workforce retention by giving healthcare professionals alternative career pathways within the health and social care system.

🥼 To date, the programme has supported more than 30 entrepreneurs across the workforce, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals.

🧬 This year we have welcomed nine new Northern Ireland NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs, funded jointly by the Department of Health NI and the Department for the Economy NI.

The programme aligns closely with Northern Ireland’s wider reform agenda, particularly the HSC Reset Plan and the Neighbourhood Model of Care, both of which aim to create a sustainable, neighbourhood-centred system focused on prevention, tackling inequalities, and improving long-term outcomes.

Key links:
HSCNI Reset Plan - https://lnkd.in/ebt-_CJa
Neighbourhood Model of Care - https://lnkd.in/eCBY8h9A

We were also delighted to hear from Preet Kaur Gill MP in her first speech since becoming UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety and from Samantha Jones OBE, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Join Innovate UK at The Ebrington Hotel, Derry/Londonderry on 20th May for a programme shaped around real business journ...
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/

Following on from Health Tech Spring, we are mapping out our connections to help our region overcome barriers to cross-s...
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.

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