This guidance outlines the application process for applying to call 6 of the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Connect funding stream, including how to prepare and submit a business plan and video presentation.
You must complete an online application via the Research Management System (RMS). The deadline for submission is on 28 February at 1 pm.
Section 1. Application Process
Application deliverables
As part of the i4i Connect Stage 2 Application, applicants are required to submit a business plan of 15 pages maximum (the minimum font size should not be less than 10pt), a SoECAT form and a 3 minute video pitch.
Business Plan
The content of the business plan must address the assessment criteria provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) guidance document. The business plan can be in your own format but it should provide the following information which can be arranged using the following suggested headings:
Technology Overview
Include a description of the proposed technology, its intended use, the unmet patient need, the value proposition, details of the associated Intellectual Property (IP) ownership and management arrangements.
Business Opportunity and Objectives
A description of your business, outlining the different products and/or services you offer (or value proposition) and business aims.
Market and Competition
Details of the intended market and competitor analysis for your technology.
Sales and Marketing Plan
Details of your sales strategy/channels, pricing strategy, route to market, commercialisation strategy, business model, risk analysis, market validation and marketing plans.
Operating Plan
Details of any suppliers or business relationships that are critical to delivering your products/services or otherwise running your business (e.g. strategic partnerships, manufacturing etc.) and any project risks.
Research Plan
Details of your research plan for this Connect award, outlining work packages and deliverables, and relevant milestones, building on your brief plan provided in the Expression of Interest form.
Management Team
Details of the team members and their role and responsibility in the project should be explained. Founders, key executives, shareholders etc should be included in the body of the business plan also. A maximum of 7 co-applicants is permitted.
Finance Analysis
Full details of the spending plan for the i4i Connect project (to be included within the “Detailed Budget” section ) and details of the company's cash flow forecast and funding strategy.
Video Pitch
The 3 minute video should complement the business plan and be in MP4 format. We do not expect professionally produced videos (you can use your smartphone), however, please ensure the visual and audio are of good quality. Please ensure that your video submission is not longer than 3 minutes, as it will otherwise be truncated at exactly 3 minutes and only the first 3 minutes will be played at the Funding Decision (Committee) meeting. Please upload the video to a file sharing platform (i.e. not a streaming service) of your choice and provide the downloadable link within the application form.
Creating and Submitting an Application
Business plans are to be uploaded to the Research Management System (RMS) as part of your Connect Stage 2 application.
The lead applicant must create the application. Co-applicants can be added to the application at any time and will receive an automatic email from the RMS which will prompt them to accept their inclusion. All co-applicants must accept their invitation to participate in the application by the submission deadline for the application to be successfully submitted.
The 3 minute video must be uploaded to the file sharing platform of your choice and the downloadable link provided within the section ‘Business Plan and Video Pitch Upload’ provided in your online application form.
Both the business plan and 3 minute video pitch are to be submitted by no later than 28 February 2023, 1 pm.
Section 2. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)
The NIHR expects active involvement of patients and the public in the projects it supports. It is anticipated that i4i Connect projects make reference to PPI. Plans for PPI must be clearly and fully described throughout your business plan. Applicants should identify the relevant patient/user group(s) for their application and engage those groups at an appropriate stage. To make the contents of your application and the implications of your project clear to members of the public reviewers and the Funding Decision Committee, a plain English summary is required.
There are a number of organisations that may be able to provide useful resources, advice and support on patient and public involvement in research:
The Research Design Service (RDS) provides advice and support to researchers developing research proposals for submission to the NIHR and other national funding organisations for health and social care research.
The NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination (CED) provides advice and a range of resources on patient and public involvement in research.
Learning For Involvement provides a wealth of training programmes and resources for public involvement in research.
For best practice in PPI please see UK Standards for Public Involvement.
Section 3. Detailed Budget
Prior to completing the project spending plan, it is important that applicants have familiarised themselves with the Attributing costs of health and social care Research and Development (AcoRD) guidance. The AcoRD guidance clarifies the distinction between the three categories of costs associated with non-commercial research studies:
- Research Costs
- NHS Support Costs
- NHS Treatment Costs
It is important to note that the NIHR will only fund activities attributed to Research Costs. Therefore, NHS Support and Treatment costs cannot be claimed in your application for funding. Further information on NHS Support and Treatment Costs can be found in the Invention for Innovation - Finance Guidance.
The NIHR covers 100% of the costs for SME and NHS bodies including other providers of NHS services in England. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should determine the Full Economic Cost (FEC) of their research using the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) methodology - up to 80% ?of FEC will be paid. There are no set rules on the split between collaborators, however, the contracted organisation will receive funding payments and will be required to distribute the funds to co-applicants/contractors, where applicable, as will have to be set out in the collaboration agreement.
Section 4. Key Dates
The key dates for i4i Connect are shown below:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Call Launch | 6 December 2022 |
| Stage 1 (Expression of Interest) Deadline | 18 January 2023 |
| Stage 2 (Business Plan) Launch | 7 February 2023 |
| Deadline for Submission of Business Plan and Video Pitch | 28 February 2023 |
Section 5. Contact Details and Further Information
We wish to ensure that potential applicants fully understand what is needed in their applications before they submit them. We encourage discussion of proposals prior to the deadline, although we cannot advise on the specific content of an application. Enquiries may be made by email to i4i@nihr.ac.uk. We aim to respond to your query within 72 hours.