What challenges does the competition aim to address?
Innovation Open Call 4 is looking for innovations that address two challenges:
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Improving productivity through managing demand or improving capacity on cancer care pathways - to support the NHS in meeting all Cancer Waiting Time standards by March 2029; and/or
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Driving the earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer (through novel screening, prompt presentation, case-finding, or diagnostic tools) - to help ensure three quarters of people diagnosed with cancer will be cancer-free, or living well with cancer after 5 years, by 2035.
All applicants are asked to consider the impact of their innovation on health inequalities.
Although an innovation may have relevance to both challenges, Innovation Open Call 4 applicants are invited to select the challenge for which they have the strongest supporting evidence, as the application form and assessment questions are tailored to the selected category.
What funding is available?
To address different stages of innovation maturity, and distinct barriers to adoption, the competition will support two complementary funding models:
1. Real‑World Implementation and Evaluation Fund
Aim:
Funding to support the real‑world deployment and independent evaluation of market‑ready innovations across multiple NHS sites, in England.
This model represents a continuation of the programme’s established and proven approach to generating robust service, patient, and health economic evidence to inform commissioning decisions.
Eligibility:
Application is open to single organisations based in the UK or EU from the private, public and third sectors, that have a demonstratable partnership with an NHS organisation in England and an independent evaluation partner. Additional engagement with Cancer Alliances and/or Health Innovation Networks is strongly encouraged.
Funding amount and timeframe:
Projects will be 100% funded up to the total value of £3M (excluding VAT) over a maximum of 24 months.
2. Innovation Spread Fund
Aim:
Funding to support the spread and embedding of mature innovations across multiple sites within at least one Cancer Alliance that have already independently measured and demonstrated positive patient outcomes and a favourable cost‑benefit or cost‑effectiveness profile across multiple sites in England.
This model is designed to “fund the change as well as the tech”, which is often crucial to enable the effective adoption and spread of proven innovations. This will be through an outcomes-based, matched funding agreement with Integrated Care Boards.
Eligibility:
Application is open to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) or Cancer Alliances (through their host legal entity) based in England as the lead applicant organisation.
The programme will accept a maximum of one application per Cancer Alliance region. Applicants are advised to prioritise projects with the widest achievable footprint and potential impact for patients and the healthcare system.
ICBs that relate to more than one Cancer Alliance may choose the Cancer Alliance through which to apply.
Projects delivered in partnership across multiple Cancer Alliances are permitted; however, each individual Cancer Alliance may only be named in one application.
To be eligible, proposals must include a partnership comprising, as a minimum:
- One or more ICBs as the strategic commissioners for their local population
- Multiple deployment sites
- One or more Cancer Alliances
- Technology vendor, where applicable.
Funding amount and timeframe:
Projects will be funded up to the total value of £5M (excluding VAT) over the first 24 months of a maximum 36 month project.
How do I apply?
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Challenge Brief: Please read the Challenge Brief pdf for full details on the two challenges and the two funding models
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FAQs: Please read the NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page
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Sign up to support Webinars
Briefing Webinar - Thursday 18 June 2026, 3.15pm-5pm, Register (Please use code: SBRI) -
Matchmake: If you are an innovator looking to apply for Real-World Implementation and Evaluation funding and want to team up with a Cancer Alliance and/or Health Innovation Network to support your application, please fill out this short form between 10 June – 24 June 2026 for the opportunity to be matched. Selected innovators will be asked to submit a short 3 minute video about their innovation and will be presented in a booklet sent to the Cancer Alliances and Health Innovation Networks with exchange of contact details.
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Timelines: Application is expected to open in September 2026, but this will be confirmed in due course. Applicant and Portal Guidance will be updated here soon
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Contact for all enquiries: sbri@LGCGroup.com