Skip to content
Close menu

SBRI HEALTHCARE

NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call Overview

NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call Overview

In 2021, the NHS Cancer Programme at NHS England joined forces with SBRI Healthcare to identify and implement mature innovations into front-line NHS settings to benefit patients by detecting cancer earlier and improving the efficiency of diagnostic services. The support of Cancer Alliances plays a key role in enabling spread and adoption.

In February 2026 NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care published the National Cancer Plan for England. The plan sets ambitions for the next 10 years to make England a global leader in cancer care. Two of the key ambitions are:

• The NHS will meet the Cancer Waiting Time (CTW) standards by 2029
• Three quarters of people diagnosed with cancer will be cancer-free, or living well with cancer after 5 years by 2035

Innovation is a central part of the NHS Cancer Programme’s strategy to achieve the National Cancer Plan ambitions.

Read about the awardees of NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call 3

Read about the awardees of NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call 2

Read about the awardees of NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call 1

NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call

“There has never been a more exciting and inspiring time to work in cancer research and treatment. The NHS is an incredible organisation, providing joined-up healthcare to an entire nation through a single system. This affords us with a unique opportunity to partner with experts in academia and industry, and bring the latest innovations in early cancer diagnosis and intervention to patients quicker. The projects supported by these awards are the first of many new devices and diagnostics that we hope will bring us closer to the day when no patient dies of cancer.”

Professor Richard Gilbertson, Chair of the NHS Innovation External Advisory Board

"The companies and hospitals pioneering these innovative ideas are leading the way, and will help us to diagnose cancer earlier when it is easier to treat – potentially saving thousands of lives. Our Open Call initiative is just one of many opportunities to attract and fast-track high quality innovations into the NHS, supporting the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan and vitally, improving care for our patients."

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer

Subscribe

Subscribe to the SBRI Healthcare newsletter and receive the latest competition information & latest news updates.