The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has launched a new funding call offering up to £55 million to enhance NHS research infrastructure across England.
The initiative, part of NIHR’s annual capital investment programme, will provide specialist equipment, associated building refurbishments, and modular buildings. It targets NHS organisations to strengthen their capacity for innovative commercial research in both hospital and primary care settings. The aim is to improve patient access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials while reducing geographic inequalities in research participation.
The funding is delivered in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry’s Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme. The VPAG scheme supports the UK’s life sciences sector by accelerating commercial clinical trials, expanding NHS research capabilities, and promoting sustainable innovative medicine manufacturing to drive economic growth.
This funding round addresses persistent barriers to commercial trial delivery, such as limited access to specialist equipment and space constraints, particularly in primary care. By investing in diagnostic and treatment infrastructure, it aims to enable high-value commercial studies and unlock growth potential in community-based research.
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative approaches that broaden research access, improve recruitment across diverse communities, and reduce inequalities in trial participation throughout England.
Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and chief executive officer of the NIHR, said: “In line with the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, the NIHR is committed to investing in the NHS’s ability to deliver innovative commercial research in both hospital and in primary care settings near where people live. This latest round of capital investment funding will bring treatments closer to people living with the greatest burden of disease through research, fund equipment and facilities to help deliver research and boost economic growth, helping to build an NHS that’s fit for the future.”
The call aligns with the Government’s Growth and Health Mission, which emphasises reducing health inequalities and shifting treatment, care, and research from hospitals into community settings. Applications from primary care organisations with clear potential for growth in research capacity are particularly welcomed.
Eligible applicants include NHS trusts and primary care organisations delivering NHS-funded services in England.
Full details on eligibility, application processes, and requirements are available on the NIHR website. The call closes on 7th May 2026.
This funding builds on previous NIHR capital investment rounds and complements broader efforts under the VPAG programme to position the UK as a competitive hub for life sciences and clinical research.
Recent awards, including £47.8 million distributed in early 2026 to 51 NHS trusts and 79 primary care organisations for equipment and facilities, demonstrate ongoing commitment to these priorities.
By equipping the NHS with modern infrastructure, the initiative aims to support faster delivery of commercial studies, enhance equity in research opportunities, and contribute to long-term economic benefits through a strengthened life sciences ecosystem.