Innovation kickstarter programme
Training for NHS innovators
Do you have an idea that could solve a healthcare challenge and become a thriving business?
The Innovation Kickstarter Programme supports NHS staff with new, early-stage ideas that could improve patient care, healthcare services, operational delivery, or staff experience.
You don’t need previous innovation experience or a fully developed business case. The programme will give you practical tools, knowledge and support to develop your idea, understand its potential and explore how it could be developed into an innovation that creates value across healthcare.
All you need is a good idea for a real challenge, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to learn.
Across three in-person training days, you’ll work on the problem your idea is trying to solve, explore the market and potential business model, and learn how to build and communicate a compelling case for your idea.
You’ll learn alongside other NHS staff developing ideas of their own, with support from course faculty, innovation specialists, peers and group mentors.
The programme is delivered through a collaboration between UCLPartners and UCL Global Business School for Health.
Have a question?
Please get in touch via our contact form.
We recommend you refer to our application guide when you complete the application.
Is this programme for me?
The programme is for all NHS staff working at the five trusts listed below, who have identified a healthcare problem or opportunity and have an early-stage idea for addressing it.
The five NHS Trusts are:
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Your idea could have the potential to:
- improve patient care or outcomes
- improve patient, carer or staff experience
- improve the way a healthcare service or process works
- address a wider healthcare problem or opportunity
You do not need previous experience of innovation. Your idea can be at an early stage, but it should not already have been commercialised. If you have already secured investment or obtained a patent for your idea, UCLPartners may be able to .
The programme is open to clinical and non-clinical staff, at all levels.
The Innovation Kickstarter Programme is for you if…
… You work in one of the participating trusts…
… You have an idea that could potentially improve patient care, a service, or addresses a wider healthcare problem…
…Your idea is at an early stage, but not yet commercialised…
What will the programme help me do?
The programme will give you practical tools and frameworks to develop, test and strengthen your idea.
You will learn how to:
- define the problem your idea is addressing and explore whether it exists beyond your own setting
- understand the potential market for your idea
- consider regulatory, clinical safety and financial requirements
- understand how decisions are made and navigate governance within the NHS
- identify potential customers and routes to market
- build and communicate a compelling business case
- understand different funding options and their implications
- explore how innovative ideas can be developed, adopted and scaled across healthcare
You will apply this learning to your own idea throughout the programme, supported by course faculty, your peers and group mentorship.
After the programme, there will be opportunities for those with the most promising ideas to connect with expert teams in UCLPartners to continue to develop their solution.
What does the programme involve?
The programme consists of three in-person training days over five weeks, with additional online training and mentoring.
Attendance at all three training days is essential. Each training day will last around six hours.
There are two cohorts: Cohort 1 in January and February 2027, and Cohort 2 in April and May 2027.
The in-person sessions will take place at UCL East in Stratford.
This is a fully funded course, meaning all fees have been met and there is no cost to individual participants. Travel and other expenses will not be covered by UCLPartners or UCL Global Business School for Health, so you should check your organisation’s local expenses policy.
There will be an expectation of undertaking pre-reading before the course starts, and some work between sessions to help you apply your learning and continue developing your idea.
Cohort meeting dates
Cohort 1
- 11 January 2027
- 25 January 2027
- 15 February 2027
Cohort 2
- 15 April 2027
- 29 April 2027
- 20 May 2027
Learn alongside other NHS innovators
Each cohort will bring together up to 50 people from across the five participating NHS trusts.
You will take part in group activities, peer learning and group mentorship designed to help you test your thinking and strengthen your idea.
We are aiming for approximately 10 places from each participating trust in each cohort, although this may vary depending on the applications received.
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form and tell us about:
- yourself
- the problem or opportunity you have identified
- the idea you would like to develop
You do not need to submit a fully developed proposal or business case.
Applications close: 27th November 2026 (Cohort 1), 8th March 2027 (Cohort 2).
[Apply now – button linked to application form]
What happens next?
Applications will be reviewed. You will be contacted with the outcome of your application by 11th December 2026 (for Cohort 1), 19th March 2027 (for Cohort 2).
If you are offered a place, you will be sent further information about joining the programme.
Attendance on all days is essential. Before applying, please ensure that you will be available to attend.
What happens after the programme?
The Innovation Kickstarter Programme forms part of UCLPartners’ wider work to support NHS innovation and invention.
By the end of the programme, participants will have developed a clearer understanding of their idea, the problem it seeks to address and the potential next steps for further development.
There may also be opportunities for promising ideas to connect with further expertise and support through UCLPartners.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous innovation experience?
No. Previous innovation experience is not required.
Do I need to attend all three training days?
Yes. You need to be available for all three in-person training days for the cohort you join. The training will take place at the UCL East campus in Stratford.
Can clinical and non-clinical staff apply?
Yes. The programme is open to people in clinical and non-clinical roles, at all levels, at the five participating NHS trusts.
Does my idea need to relate to my current role or service?
No. As long as you are able to evidence that your idea is solving a genuine healthcare need that you understand well, it can address a wider healthcare problem or opportunity.
Is there a cost to take part?
This is a fully funded course with no cost to individual participants. Travel and other expenses are not covered by UCLPartners or UCL Global Business School for Health. Please check your organisation’s local expenses policy.
Will I work on my own idea?
Yes. You will apply the learning to the real-world problem or opportunity your own idea addresses, alongside learning from other participants.
Will I receive mentoring?
The programme includes group mentorship and peer discussion. These will give you opportunities to test your thinking, receive feedback and strengthen your idea.
Can I apply as part of a team?
We encourage applications from individuals. If you think a joint application would be more appropriate for your idea, please contact us before applying.
I have another question. Who can I contact?
Please get in touch using our contact form
About the partnership
The Innovation Kickstarter Programme is delivered through a collaboration between UCLPartners and UCL Global Business School for Health.
It forms part of wider work to strengthen innovation capability across our partner organisations. By supporting NHS staff with promising ideas and connecting them with the skills, expertise and networks they need, we aim to help more innovations emerge from within the NHS and ultimately improve healthcare for patients and staff.
Ready to develop your idea?
If you have an early-stage idea that could improve healthcare, the Innovation Kickstarter Programme can help you explore its potential and take it further.
Applications close: 27th November 2026 (Cohort 1), 8th March 2027 (Cohort 2).
If you have a question please get in touch via our contact form.
We recommend you refer to our application guide when you complete the application.
