NIHR i4i FAST

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) FAST programme is designed to accelerate the adoption of innovative healthcare technologies by embedding them into community care pathways. This funding opportunity specifically targets solutions that are already proven in relevant environments and are ready to move beyond pilot testing into routine use across community and primary care settings.

The programme focuses strongly on prevention, supporting technologies that can help identify risk earlier, improve patient outcomes and reduce pressure on healthcare systems. It also emphasises real-world integration, ensuring that innovations work seamlessly with existing workflows, users and healthcare records.

What the programme is looking for

The call is aimed at innovators with technologies that are already developed and tested but require support to achieve adoption in community care environments.

Projects should:

• Demonstrate a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 with prior validation in a relevant setting
• Focus on prevention, either primary or secondary, such as early diagnosis or risk identification
• Show clear plans for integration into community care pathways and workflows
• Engage with end users such as clinicians, pharmacists or community health providers
• Address real-world healthcare challenges, particularly in underserved or high-need populations

Strong applications will clearly demonstrate how the innovation connects the technology, the end user and the healthcare system or pathway.

Key focus areas

The programme encourages solutions that can be deployed in a range of community care environments, including:

• Neighbourhood health hubs and community diagnostic centres
• Community pharmacies and GP practices
• Mobile or outreach healthcare services

Projects should focus on enabling preventive care through scalable and accessible solutions, particularly those that improve reach and reduce health inequalities.