Bids open for £5 million funding for the Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund

For a £5 million fund to improve veterans’ healthcare, the Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund is now accepting bids.

For initiatives that will offer cutting-edge medical treatments to veterans, a new £5 million fund been opened today.

The money will support organisations trying to investigate and test innovative technology that might be able to assist veterans with complicated medical needs.

Veterans occasionally experience particular health problems as a result of their military service, and the Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund will encourage the development of new treatments that will eventually aid in the treatment of former service members who have been injured while serving the country.

Several areas are now eligible for the fund, including:

• Digital, data and technology, including through artificial intelligence, virtual reality and using data to predict long-term health outcomes
• Improvements in innovative surgical techniques, rehabilitation for blast injuries and intervention technologies for mid traumatic brain injury
• Trial interventions and treatments for the impact of pain, hearing loss and visual impairment
• Initiatives to help identify and provide solutions to disparities in female veterans’ health and healthcare

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

“Our military veterans deserve the very best physical and mental healthcare available. That’s why it is right that we invest cash in exploring how the latest innovation and technology can be used to help deliver that.

“I want to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran. That means ensuring we do all we can to help ensure better health and employment outcomes for those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the £5 million Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund in the Autumn Budget. The fund is intended to provide funding for a variety of initiatives to advance knowledge of how innovative medical procedures or new clinical pathways can be used to better meet veteran healthcare needs.

To help veterans fully enjoy civilian life, organisations will be awarded funds or contracts to conduct research on or test-drive cutting-edge therapies, approaches, and interventions for physical and mental health issues.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has provided support for the grant bidding process. The deadline for submitting bids is August 31, 2022.

The funds will also assist the government in fulfilling its obligation under the Strategy for the Veterans to ensure that all veterans experience good physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Those who are interested in applying can go to an engagement session to learn more about the bidding process.

Details on how to apply for a portion of the fund can be found here.