SBRI funding isn’t just about innovation. It’s about NHS readiness. Here’s how to prove it

Why SBRI Healthcare grants are about more than just technology

For MedTech companies looking to scale within the NHS, SBRI Healthcare funding is one of the most powerful routes to adoption. But here’s the reality: a groundbreaking idea isn’t enough.

Unlike many other funding sources, SBRI Healthcare isn’t about backing innovation for innovation’s sake. It’s about solving urgent NHS challenges with solutions that are clinically validated, patient-backed, and implementation-ready.

"If your application doesn’t demonstrate NHS demand and real-world viability, it won’t make it past the first round.”

Too many MedTechs stumble here. They focus on technical brilliance without proving their solution is NHS-ready. To succeed, you need more than a great product, you need proof that the NHS needs it, wants it, and can realistically adopt it. In this article, we take a look at why gathering the right patient and staff insights is key to making a successful application.

Understanding SBRI Healthcare’s unique focus

SBRI Healthcare is a national, award-winning programme that funds innovations addressing critical NHS and social care needs. To secure funding, MedTech companies must demonstrate:‍

Direct engagement with NHS clinicians, commissioners, and frontline staff, not just a theoretical understanding of the problem.‍

A strong application goes beyond market research and generic problem statements. It requires direct input from NHS professionals who understand frontline challenges, workflow constraints, and procurement barriers.

Engaging with clinicians means more than a few conversations, it involves co-developing your innovation with NHS partners, gathering usability feedback, and proving how your solution integrates within existing NHS pathways. Commissioners, who control budgets and service design, must see clear evidence of cost-effectiveness and operational fit before backing new technology.

Real-world validation from patients and caregivers, not just assumptions about user experience.‍

An innovation that isn’t tested with real NHS patients and caregivers is a gamble. SBRI Healthcare expects robust evidence of patient need, usability, and outcomes, including qualitative insights from patient focus groups, observational studies, and usability trials in real healthcare settings.

Patient and caregiver input can expose overlooked barriers, such as accessibility issues, digital literacy concerns, or practical implementation challenges, that could make or break NHS adoption. Engaging diverse patient populations is essential, as the NHS prioritises solutions that address health inequalities and work across varied demographics.

Common pitfalls of SBRI Healthcare applications‍

Many MedTech applicants struggle because they:

Lack concrete evidence of demand

Identifying a problem isn’t enough; you need NHS professionals backing your solution as the right fix.

Successful applications require demonstrable engagement with NHS professionals who validate your solution addresses a pressing issue. NHS procurement is risk-averse and driven by evidence. Strong applications feature letters of support from clinicians, feedback from Integrated Care Systems (ICS), and documented needs assessments proving frontline staff endorse your solution.

Haven’t tested in real-world settings

‍Theoretical benefits must be supported by real-world data from clinical environments and patient use.

SBRI Healthcare isn't interested in untested prototypes. Decision-makers must see that your solution works under real NHS conditions, including data from pilot studies, feedback from real-world deployments, and usability insights from NHS sites. Without real-world evidence, claims of efficacy seem speculative.

Can’t articulate an NHS implementation pathway

SBRI backs solutions deployable in NHS settings. Your application must clearly outline integration.

A major failure point for applicants is an inability to demonstrate precisely how innovation will be adopted, including clarity on reimbursement models, integration with NHS IT systems, and compatibility with clinical workflows. Outline clearly:

Deployment timelines detailing NHS implementation stages.
Key NHS stakeholders involved.
Cost-benefit analyses aligning with NHS efficiency goals.
Regulatory approvals needed (e.g., NICE guidance, MHRA compliance).

Overlook health inequalities

NHS prioritises solutions addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Lack of diverse population input weakens applications.

Health equity is core to NHS priorities. Innovations must demonstrate inclusivity by engaging diverse demographics. Testing on narrow populations leads decision-makers to question broad NHS applicability. Including health inequality impact assessments and diverse patient feedback strengthens your application.

Simply put, strong technical cases aren’t enough. You need deep NHS stakeholder engagement proving real-world demand and feasibility.

"Simply put, strong technical cases aren’t enough—you need deep NHS stakeholder engagement proving real-world demand and feasibility.”

How Thiscovery helps MedTech companies secure SBRI Healthcare Funding

Thiscovery specialises in generating practical evidence required by SBRI Healthcare, including:

Generating patient and clinician insights for viable NHS adoption.
Supporting health equity by connecting with diverse patient groups.
Providing rapid, scalable evidence generation to strengthen your application.

Don’t let your innovation remain ‘promising but unproven’.

‍SBRI Healthcare isn’t just about funding innovation—it’s about backing solutions proven to work within the NHS. That means demonstrating clinical need, patient value, and real-world viability.

At Thiscovery, we help bridge that gap. With fast, scalable, and targeted research that validates demand, engages stakeholders, and gathers the evidence SBRI evaluators need.