Applications for the next NIHR Net Zero Catalyst are now open until Monday 1 February 2027
Complete the short application form before the deadline.
Introduction to the Catalyst
As new targets and measures for sustainability in healthcare come into effect, HealthTech companies have to increasingly consider the environmental impact of the products they develop. The Net Zero Catalyst is a bespoke training programme for HealthTech innovators to learn best practices in product design and development. Innovators learn how to embed sustainability as a commercial advantage, directly supported by academic, clinical and industry expertise.
The Net Zero Catalyst is delivered as a partnership between the National Institute of Health and Care Research and Pd-m, sustainability and product design specialists. In alignment with the UK government's Design for Life framework for establishing a circular economy of reuse, remanufacture and recycling in MedTech, the three-month CPD accredited Catalyst equips innovators with practical approaches and knowledge to help them create commercially viable, sustainable products.
A prize fund is awarded to exceptional innovators participating in the Catalyst to support future development and evidence generation for follow-on funding applications.
What we expect from you
Applicants to the Catalyst will be expected to:
- demonstrate a basic level of carbon literacy, including an understanding of Net Zero and carbon emissions
- be developing a physial medical device or diagnostic, at technology readiness levels 2 - 4 (later-stage innovations may be considered, by exception)
- be seeking funding for further development of the innovation
- have a commitment to embedding sustainability into practice
What you'll learn
By the end of the Catalyst, participating innovators will understand:
- how to integrate sustainability into their innovation
- NHS Net Zero targets, future Greener NHS strategy, and their implications on the company’s practices
- how to develop their sustainable value proposition for the NHS and the wider health and care system
Innovators will receive continued support from the Catalyst as their innovation progresses, including an expert panel feedback session. This support, alongside new knowledge, practical approaches and partnerships gained by innovators, will place them in a stronger position for future development funding. Successful completion of the programme is recognised with a CPD accredited certificate of attendance.
Course structure
March 2027, online, 2 hours - The Catalyst team will set the stage for the programme, provide an overview of sustainable healthcare, and task the cohort with a self-study activity on Net-Zero policy in the NHS.
April 2027, in-person (Leeds, UK), 7 hours - The cohort will learn about Life Cycle Mapping, Hot-Spot Analysis, and Circular Economy strategies. The Catalyst team will work with each member of the the cohort to identify specific approaches, opportunities and benefits of applying these theories in their HealthTech innovations.
May 2027, online, 6 hours - The cohort will reflect on their learning from the first three sessions with peers from the Catalyst cohort, learn the principles of developing a Sustainable Value Proposition, and how to target this specifically to NHS procurement processes, and analyse the HealthTech funding landscape. The cohort will start developing a pitch that integrates their Sustainable Value Proposition, in preparation for the next session (Innovation Showcase).
June 2027, 2-3 hours - Each member of the Catalyst cohort will develop and deliver a final pitch for their innovation, highlighting how they have integrated learning from the Catalyst. Awards and prize funds for exceptional innovators will be announced, and each member of the cohort will receive a 1-to-1 post-programme debrief with the Catalyst team.
Approximately 8 hours, across the Catalyst - The cohort will be asked to complete activites started in one session ready for following sessions. Tasks include background research, refining and digitising work from the in-person workshop and developing a value proposition and 3-minute pitch video. In completing self-study activities, the cohort will have the opportunity to intregate Catalyst teaching into their HealthTech innovation. Support will be available from the Catalyst team throughout self-study.
Frequently Asked Questions
The prize fund will be shared with innovators that have demonstrated the biggest progress over the course of the programme. The fund will be awarded under the condition that it is used to support innovators move towards their sustainability goals. Examples include funding design consultations, evidence generation or device assessment in research facilities. The prize fund for the most recent cohort was £5,000. The prize fund for 2027 will be confirmed at the beginning of the programme.
For the spring ’27 cohort we will not accept applications from 'digital-only' innovations as the Catalyst provides greatest benefit to physical products.
So long as there is a physical device this type of innovation is welcome. The programme focuses on manufacture, materials and related circular practices which aren’t relevent to a purely digital innovation.
The Catalyst is open to all; however, innovators from outside the UK should aim to bring their innovation to the UK market, either through introduction to the NHS or by seeking to access NIHR funding in partnership with UK collaborators to support further development. Please note that cohort members are expected to attend in‑person events in the UK, and travel costs are not covered by the programme. To date, we have had engagement in the Catalyst from organisations across Europe.
Applying circular principles early makes them much easier to implement, particularly when they relate to material choices or business model changes. While our primary focus is on innovations at TRL 1–4, applicants at higher TRLs are also welcome and will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. In these cases, having already completed some sustainability‑related work on your innovation will be viewed favourably, as it demonstrates a willingness to adopt sustainable practices such as those taught in this programme.
For more information watch our information session recording.
The Net Zero Catalyst is led by a partnership of the following organisations:
Pd-m: Founded in 2005, Pd-m is a Product Design and Sustainability consultancy with a focus on Health Technologies. The business works with a range of clients including boot-strapped start-ups to med tech multinationals, to embed sustainability into their organisations at a strategic and practical level.
NIHR Climate, Health & Sustainability (CHS): Responsible for NIHR’s mission to drive and promote sustainable health and care systems. The CHS team supports this mission by funding research, supporting knowledge mobilisation and building research capacity in climate, health and environmental sustainability.
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network: provides strategic leadership and coordination for NIHR’s 14 HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs). The Network’s ambition is to transform UK healthtech into a thriving ecosystem of industry, academia, and the NHS, bringing innovative healthtech solutions to patients more rapidly and driving economic growth.
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care: drives HealthTech innovation to deliver socio-economic benefit, through quicker diagnosis and treatment of surgical conditions. Sustainability and Net Zero is a cross-cutting research theme that focuses on the methods and technologies needed to reduce waste and promote sustainability.