Grow MedTech activity update in light of COVID-19

We know that the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the medtech community.

We want to reassure you that we are working hard to understand the challenges of this changing landscape, and that we will continue to provide you with innovation support as safely and effectively as possible. Our work on this matter is already in motion, and we will provide regular updates as the situation evolves.

Please see below for more specific updates on activities and previously advertised opportunities:


Active Grow MedTech-funded projects

We are fully committed to continual support for our ongoing projects. We are aware that given current circumstances, research across our partner universities is being halted, and clinical and industry partners may be prioritising other activities in the short term. This, in turn, could have a knock-on effect on Grow MedTech-funded projects.

We urge all project teams to maintain contact with your Technology Innovation Manager, who can be reached using the contact information listed on their website profiles. In the first instance, inform them of the impacts that the current situation may have on your projects, if any, and the implications.

Your Technology Innovation Manager can aid you in identifying work packages that may be more suitable for remote working and can help you update and amend the agreed project plans accordingly.

We can grant short no-cost extensions until March 2021 for projects that are currently underway. If this is an option that you’re considering, inform your Technology Innovation Manager as soon as possible. 

Where no-cost extensions aren’t a viable option, inform your Technology Innovation Manager of your challenges so that they can work with you to determine the best way forward.

If you have received Proof of Feasibility or Proof of Concept project funding and your project has not started already, we suggest that you delay the start date, again informing your Technology Innovation Manager of your plans and any implications that this may cause. 


Proof of Feasibility funding calls

We have made the difficult decision to pause all active Proof of Feasibility calls.

We understand that this will be a huge disappointment to those of you that have already spent time developing projects and drafting applications.

However, we recognise that many of you will be facing unknown delays as a result of lab closures and project partners will potentially, at least in the short term, be prioritising their focus elsewhere in response to the crisis.

We need to have an understanding of what is required for us to complete existing projects – and what will be possible to deliver – before confirming the start of new projects.

However, our Technology Innovation Managers are still on hand to work with you to understand your technology development and innovation needs and identify the right partners within our regions to help you build a successful collaboration for the future – click here to view their profiles and obtain their contact details.


Proof of Market funding call

We are continuing to run our Proof of Market funding call at present. If you are interested in applying, please contact a Technology Innovation Manager in the first instance to discuss further – click here to view their profiles and obtain their contact details.

Application forms will continue to be reviewed monthly and should be emailed to info@growmed.tech by 12 noon on the 15th of the month for review in that month’s review meeting.

Further details on the call can be found here.


Translate MedTech secondment scheme

The Translate MedTech secondment scheme is still going ahead, with the deadline for applications being extended until 12 noon, 3 April 2020.

We will be urging all awardees to follow government advice and only start their secondments when appropriate to do so. If you have any questions, queries or concerns, please get in touch with Mohua Siddique.


Translate MedTech training courses

We are currently exploring whether all remaining courses can be delivered online after having successfully delivered our Business Case Planning and Pitching course this way.

You can still sign up for a place on any of the remaining courses via our events page, and anyone that has registered will be kept informed about their delivery.


We will continue to monitor and review our activities in these unprecedented times and will ensure to communicate any updates through our usual channels – please ensure you are signed up to our mailing list to get the most up-to-date information.

If you have any questions or concerns that aren’t covered by the above and relate to disruptions you’re experiencing while engaging with one of our services, please get in touch with us by emailing info@growmed.tech.