Kidney Research UK: Kidney MedTech Competition

Kidney Research UK’s Kidney MedTech Competition aims to accelerate the development and availability of transformational technologies to improve the lives of kidney patients. Kidney Research UK is seeking opportunities that can:

• Improve diagnostics for earlier detection
• Advance the treatment of kidney disease through the use of novel health technologies
• Develop testing devices to help patients to self-monitor and self-manage their health (at home or in the community) in a way that is safe and reliable, which will empower all patients, particularly poorly-served groups of people
• Improve our understanding of kidney disease through better use of health technologies
• Provide an alert to clinicians, supporting prompt decision-making which leads to the appropriate intervention 
• Be used easily by those without technology skills
• Improve services for kidney patients, including those with multiple health conditions who experience fragmented care pathways

Examples would include: imaging, artificial intelligence approaches, MedTech with associated data, service improvement research incorporating MedTech, diagnostics, apps and wearable devices.

This competition will identify products and people who can help to realise this ambition, by taking their research in technologies from the discovery stage through investment and collaboration, to use in the clinic or in the community.

Projects which are out of scope: Drug discovery research and qualitative research

The Competition Process

The Kidney MedTech Competition offers six prizes, worth £30,000, to accelerate research and make research count for patients sooner, through the use of health technologies. Each prize will consist of £25,000 funding and attendance for two representatives, per project, on the ‘academy programme’ (worth £5,000). The academy programme consists of: 

• Pioneer – a series of 6 x 1-hour sessions: The practical knowledge and understanding of how to drive forward innovation
• Spark – 1-day workshop: One-day ‘crash course’ in spotting opportunities
• Ignition – 2-day workshop: Business-building bootcamp
• Start Up Experience – 5-day residential workshop: Immersive experience of life in a startup

The academy programme will commence in April 2022 and will be completed within six months from the prize being awarded. Successful applicants will be awarded £12,500 on winning the competition and the balance of £12,500 on completion of the academy programme.

How to Apply: The lead researcher must be UK based. Please download this Application Form to apply. To submit your proposal, please visit our website, discover.in-part.com, register, and submit as a Research Project under the appropriate Discover campaign.