Innovate UK and the Office for Life Sciences have launched a £25.4 million funding competition to support technologies that could help diagnose cancer earlier.

The competition will fund the clinical validation and evaluation of diagnostic technologies and devices, with projects addressing less common cancers particularly encouraged.

Applications must be collaborative and led by a UK-registered business, academic institution or NHS organisation. Each consortium must include at least one UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized business claiming grant funding.

Eligible projects must have total costs of between £1.5 million and £4 million and can focus on areas including diagnostic devices, imaging, biosensors and healthcare photonics.

The opportunity may be relevant to NETPark businesses and research partners working across life sciences, medical technology, diagnostics and photonics.

Applications close at 11am on 28 October 2026.

Find out more about the competition and how to apply.