We appreciate that “innovation” can mean different things to different people. Innovation activities within the region range from R&D- intensive fundamental science carried out through our leading universities, to agile SME product, process & service innovation. We are open to projects from any sector, speciality or technology (except those specifically excluded in the eligibility criteria).

We do not hold any pre-conceived ideas as to what proposed innovations look like, but we are clear that all proposals must look to:

• Develop a new product, process, service or application which responds to one of the challenge areas;
• Deliver clear transformational benefits for the applicant SMEs and LCR economy;
• Improve the health and wellbeing of the LCR

We will give priority to SMEs based, or looking to relocate to the LCR. We’re looking for digital/data led solutions linked to the following areas:

• Help us build our data commons by joining up the data – collect store or link data between organisations and across sectors.
• Help us explore novel data capture through a Community led data project
• Create a novel digital idea -Apps to facilitate response to upcoming trends – capturing emerging trends from personal data, communities and organisations working across sectors to allow workforces to respond.

An expert panel will review applications. Please ensure you answer the questions we’ve asked.

Your application will only be assessed on these questions.

Shortlisted projects to pitch live in the week of the 28th July.

Read the Panel scoring criteria to find out more.

Yes. We want to create a vibrant, internationally visible, civic data environment which will enable residents’ data to work harder for them to shape better care and fuel globally important innovations from the LCR.

We believe this is a virtuous cycle so it’s important to us that any funded innovation either draws from, or contributes to, the data and intelligence landscape. For example, you might be contributing to the data intelligence of the system through sharing your insights and engagement data which will inform future interventions, you might be targeting your solution based on live data that you are using to ensure best use of resources or you might be building valuable data that could be used to inform decision makers about what is working on the ground. We want to understand how you will use data and intelligence to make the best solution, operate effectively or contribute to the knowledge we hold collectively in the future.