Call to join the 2027 NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) program is now open in England

The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) is an award-winning program funded by NHS England and delivered in partnership with all 15 Health Innovation Networks across England, with UCLPartners serving as its host organization. The NIA supports the development of innovators (Fellows) and the nationwide adoption and spread of their innovations. 

On August 17, 2026, the annual application call opened for innovators seeking to join the NIA program in 2027. The application deadline is September 27, 2026.

The NIA supports individuals representing real-world, evidence-based innovations that have already demonstrated a positive impact in practice and are ready to scale further across the NHS. The program is seeking applicants who combine a compelling innovation with a clear and credible plan to deliver greater patient and system benefits at scale.

Selection is based equally on: 

• The Applicant – their values, and ability to drive change;
• The Innovation – its impact, evidence base, and readiness to scale.

The NIA focuses on innovations at the transition-to-scale stage, where targeted support can unlock significant additional impact.

Applicants may be the inventor of the innovation, the lead for it within their organization, or an authorized representative. They should have sufficient influence or decision-making input to shape the strategy for adoption and spread. Applicants may come from a range of sectors, including the public sector, universities and research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large corporates.

The final NIA Board decision on new NIA Fellows to join the program is scheduled for February – March 2027. Successful Fellows will receive bespoke support through a structured, three-year program aligned with their innovation, goals, and stage of development. This support combines expert guidance, national connections, and practical tools to accelerate adoption and spread across the NHS. 

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