A new competition to enable greater usage of technology in the care of kidney disease has been launched by two of the UK’s leading medical research organisations. Devices for Dignity, the NIHR’s HealthTech Research Centre in Long-Term Conditions have partnered with Kidney Research UK, the leading charity in the UK focused on funding and supporting kidney research developing from concept to patient benefit, to launch a joint competition.

There are estimated to be 7.2 million people in the UK currently living with chronic kidney disease, more than 10% of the entire population, and over half are unlikely to have been diagnosed. (1) There are life-saving treatments for kidney disease such as dialysis which can make patients very tired and nauseous, therefore innovations to improve patients’ quality of life are urgently needed.

The competition is seeking translational research projects focused on one of eight interconnected themes around long-term conditions, including kidney disease. Projects that cross over themes will be of particular interest.

Clinical themes: 

● Kidney Care
● Diabetes
● Long-Term Neurological Conditions (LTNC)
● Women’s Health
● Rehabilitation, Assistive and Restorative Technologies (RART)
● Mental Health

Cross-cutting themes: 

● Methodological Innovation
● Pathways to Implementation and Impact

This competition is targeted at projects ready to be tested in either a controlled setting (Technology Readiness Level 4), or a more realistic setting (Technology Readiness Level 5), and must be used to further the development of the product. There are four awards worth £10,000 each plus up to £5,000 in-kind support from Devices for Dignity which includes access to networks, PPI support, regulatory guidance alongside IP and commercialisation advice.

Liz Pryde, Programme Manager of Devices for Dignity said “We are extremely delighted to be opening this funding competition in partnership with Kidney Research UK. By joining forces we are able to combine our expertise and national networks which offers a great opportunity for industry and academics to develop their innovations in the kidney health technology space alongside broader expertise. We are excited by the possibility of supporting innovations that will benefit kidney disease patients with an overall goal of helping patients live their lives better, for longer.”

The competition is open to applicants from the NHS, HEIs (higher education institutes) and SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises). The project length must be six to 12 months. The competition closes on 15 May 2024.

Katherine Forbes, director of innovation and enterprise at Kidney Research UK said “Partnering with Devices for Dignity on this competition is a huge step in the right direction for innovation in medical technology (MedTech). At a time when cases of kidney disease are rising rapidly, we need to see innovation in medical technology which will slow the progression of kidney disease and help patients to take control of their own health. MedTech innovation is integral to driving earlier diagnosis, prevention and better treatment options, potentially offering new technologies that can grant kidney patients a better quality of life alongside greatly improved patient outcomes. I am looking forward to seeing what innovations are under development from researchers, start-up companies and the NHS in this round of awards, that have the potential to make kidney care better, safer, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”

About Kidney Research UK:
Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research and supporting the translation of research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Its vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research it funds has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making the charity’s work more essential than ever.

Kidney Research UK works with clinicians and scientists across the UK. It collaborates with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.

Over the last ten years the charity has invested more than £58 million into research. It lobbies governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that more than 7.1 million people living with kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.

Most importantly, the patient voice is at the centre of everything at Kidney Research UK. Patients, carers and families inspire the charity’s mission and push it forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.

For more information about the impact of Kidney disease see Kidney Research UK’s latest report: (1) (kidneyresearchuk.org)

Key Dates and how to Apply:

• Closing Date: Wednesday 15th May 2024
• Successful Applicants Notified: July 2024

For submission and more information please click the following link: Translational MedTech Grant – Kidney Research UK