Aims/priorities: Innovate UK is running a competition to support the deployment of digital cognitive assessment (DCA) technologies in dementia diagnosis. The programme will act as a demonstrator to accelerate high-maturity DCA innovations and assess their real-world application as part of the READ-OUT (REAl-world Dementia OUTcomes) blood-based biomarker study. These efforts will also contribute to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative System Preparedness project.
The University of Oxford will support the implementation of selected DCAs at READ-OUT clinical sites. Applicants must propose DCA solutions that demonstrate substantial accuracy and specificity in identifying and tracking diseases associated with dementia.
The competition seeks ‘first of a kind’ demonstrations that integrate proven DCA technologies into NHS settings. Proposals should show how these tools can be deployed within real-world clinical environments in preparation for wider market readiness.
Eligible DCA technologies should assess key cognitive domains, including processing speed, episodic memory, recognition memory, and executive function.
Who can apply? Organisations of any size can lead a project. They may work alone or with the subcontracted skills and expertise of others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations, or the third sector (charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups).
Contracts will be awarded to a single legal entity only. The majority of the project work and key deliverables must be completed by the applicant and be carried out in the UK.
Grant amount: Up to £1.2 million is allocated to this competition. The contract is for up to 20 months and IUK expects to fund two projects. Projects can range in size up to total eligible costs of £600,000 inclusive of VAT.
Application process: Applications are open between 14 April 2025 and 14 May 2025 (11:00).
Applications are made online.
More information is available at the IUK website.
Deadline: Wednesday 14 May 2025
Contact information: Email: support@iuk.ukri.org