St John’s Innovation Centre Training (SJICT) is proud to be working in partnership with Health Tech Enterprise on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to deliver the training and mentoring element of the i4i THRIVE programme — a flagship initiative supporting healthcare innovators tackling health inequalities across the UK.
What is i4i THRIVE?
THRIVE — Translate Healthcare Research through InnoVation and Entrepreneurship — is a prestigious NIHR funding and training programme designed to accelerate the translation of early-stage healthcare innovations into real-world patient benefit. It combines meaningful financial support with structured entrepreneurial development, giving innovators everything they need to take their idea to the next level.
Successful applicants receive up to £150,000 over nine months, alongside a rich programme of training, expert mentoring, peer support, and networking. They will explore the market potential of their innovation and identify the most viable route forward — whether that is commercialisation through spin-out, licensing or developing their idea as an intrapreneur within an existing organisation.
Who Should Apply?
The THRIVE programme is aimed at academic and clinical entrepreneurs with innovations at prototype development level (Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3)) and above.
Research Institutes, NHS providers, charities and CICs with relevant technologies are eligible. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
Why This Programme Stands Out
This is a comprehensive development journey. Participants will build entrepreneurial skills and confidence, develop a costed 18-month roadmap for their innovation, and join a network of like-minded innovators and experts. The combination of financial backing and practical training support makes it one of the most well-rounded programmes available to healthcare innovators in the UK today.
SJIC Training’s Role
As the training delivery partner, SJICT will be at the heart of the programme — providing hands-on entrepreneurial training and expert mentoring specifically designed for the realities of translating healthcare research into impact. We have a strong track record of supporting innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop the skills that make a difference, and we are genuinely excited to bring that expertise to this cohort.
Ready to Apply?
Funding applications are now open. If you are an academic or clinical entrepreneur and have a healthcare innovation with the potential to reduce health inequalities and want the funding, training, and support to take it further, this is the opportunity for you.
Find out more and apply at the NIHR website: i4i THRIVE Programme