InnovateNoW - The NHS Regional Innovation Fund for the North West
InnovateNow

Frequently asked questions

If you do have a query about the InnovateNoW programme you may well find the answer here – if not please email us at info@innovatenow.org.uk.

  • Q. Will there be any further rounds of funding available in 2011/12?
  • A. There is currently (Dec 2010) no plan for further rounds of InnovateNoW funding. However, if any additional funds are made available by NHS North West, then these will be advertised to all NHS organisations in the region, and will also be announced to all people who have subscribed for updates from InnovateNoW (you can do this on the homepage - bottom right of page).
  • Q. My proposal will need to be implemented in two stages. Shall I apply for stage one funding now and another round later?
  • A. We have anticipated that some projects will involve more than one stage, for example, a pilot followed by wider implementation. If this is the case, you will need to apply for all the funding at the same time, making it clear within your application that it will be a staged process.
  • Q. Do we need to have matched funding from our own organisation to apply for an award?
  • A. No - you can apply for the entire amount of funding you require for your project, and do not need to provide matched funding from other sources. However applications with matched funding may be favourably viewed.
  • Q. Can we enter more than one project from our organisation, and can we enter more than one award category?
  • A. There is no limit to how many projects you can enter, and you can apply for as many award categories as you wish.
  • Q. Can GPs apply for an InnovateNoW award?
  • A. GPs are able to take part but as independent practitioners, they will need to apply for funding with their Primary Care Trust as the main applicant.
  • Q. We are a private company which has an innovation that may be suitable for an InnovateNoW award. How do we take part?
  • A. Private companies based anywhere in the UK can participate but you will need to find a partner organisation from within the NHS in the North West to act as the main applicant.
  • Q. I am using the Word version of the application form to gather information and share the draft application with others before submitting the final application via the online form, and I am having trouble checking the tick-boxes.
  • A. If you double-click on the relevant tick-box, a pop-up menu will appear, and if you select ‘checked’ from this menu, a cross will appear in the box.
  • Q. What is the maximum duration of a project funded by the awards?
  • A.The maximum duration of a project is 12 months although the project can span two financial years where appropriate.
  • Q. How will I be notified if my application has been successful?
  • A. For an Innovation Sharing or Innovation Bursary Award, if you have been successful, you will receive a letter from NHS North West via your Chief Executive's office. The winners will be listed on the website two weeks after these letters have been sent out.
  • If you have been unsuccessful in your Innovation Sharing or Innovation Bursary Award application you will be notified via the e-mail address provided on your application form.
  • For an Enabling Change Award outline (stage 1) application, you will be notified by e-mail using the email address provided on your application form) whether you have been invited by the judges to submit a full (stage 2) application.
  • If you have been successful in your Enabling Change Award full (stage 2) application you will be notified via the email provided in your application form if you have got through to the final round and if so, will be given details of the Dragons' Lair event where you will be required to pitch your idea and where the final decision on whether your application is funded will be made.
  • Winners will be posted on this website shortly after the Dragons' Lair event.
  • Q. When will I hear if my application has been successful?
  • A. The dates are listed in the calendar.
  • Q. If my application is successful, how will I receive the funding?
  • A. It will be paid from NHS North West via a PCT allocation. If the main applicant is based in an NHS Trust, the payment will be made via an allocation to their local PCT, and the PCT will then pass the funding on to the Trust.
  • Enabling Change Awards are likely to be made in staged payments via this process.
Q. Who should I ask if I have a query about the funding for my InnovateNoW award?
A. You should contact David Lewis, Assistant Finance Manager for NHS North West: david.lewis@northwest.nhs.uk.
 
Q. If my application is successful, will I have to provide reports on progress?
A. Yes, you will be required to provide a report on progress every six months using a template that will be provided by TrusTECH.
 
Q. I have won an award, can I use the InnovateNoW logo?
A. To ensure that the logo is being used correctly, please contact TrusTECH (info@innovatenow.org.uk) with the text you wish to use and where you plan to publish it. TrusTECH will check the wording is appropriate and then provide the logo.
Please note that the logo cannot be used with the phrase 'InnovateNoW award winner'.
Q. I applied for funding in a previous round, can I re-apply?
A. You may resubmit an application if you think that it meets the award criteria. However, please note that the criteria may change from one funding round to the next and therefore you should check the current criteria on the website. In addition, the application process is continually being refined with each funding round, so you should also read the current guidance on completing the application. If you decide to resubmit an application, please mark the title of your innovation with 'Resubmission' first (e.g. 'Resubmission - personalised care for patients with long term conditions').
Q. I have already received an InnovateNoW award - can I apply for another one?
A. A previous InnovateNoW award winner may only apply for another award if the application is for a new innovation in an unrelated area to the previous application, or if they wish to share or adopt an innovation in another area/sector (e.g. from primary to secondary care).
 
Q. What is the success rate for the different award categories?
A. Based on the numbers from rounds 1 and 2 held in 2009/10, the success rates are as follows:
  • Innovation Sharing Award - 33%
  • Innovation Bursary Award - 20%
  • Enabling Change Award - 2%
Q. If the total costs of implementing and evaluating an innovation are greater than the amount of award funding available, can I still apply for an award?
A. Yes you can, as long as the additional funding required can be gained from another source (e.g. your organisation, charity donation etc).

 

Q. I would like to know more about one of the projects that has been awarded InnovateNoW funding - how can I get further information?
A. Please contact us and we will put you in contact with the lead applicant of the project, who will provide you with more information. As InnovateNoW-funded projects are completed and their outputs known, these will be made available to everyone (either via this website or with a link to another site). Some information will also be pulicised in NHS North West's Annual Innovation Report.

Q. Will there be funding beyond Round 4 (i.e. from April 2011 onwards)?
A. At the time of writing (August 2010) this seems to be unlikely. However, we will keep people informed via this website if any new information becomes available.

 

Q. What is AQuA (Advancing Quality Alliance)?
A. AQuA is the NHS North West Quality Observatory that has been established in response to Lord Darzi's 'High Quality Health Care for All' report (published in June 2008). AQuA will provide co-ordinated quality improvement support and access to best practice for clinical teams and member organisations in the North West by:
  • helping to align existing quality initiatives which are underway across the region
  • providing a single point of access for clinical information
  • ensuring the very best clinical and social care practice is widely shared, harnessing the collective power of NHS North West employees and organisations which have driven innovation.
For further information visit AQuA's website: www.advancingqualityalliance.nhs.uk

 

Q. How can I keep a copy of the online application I submit?

A. You can create a pdf version of your application (the option is available on every page of the online application and also before you click to submit your application) which you can save.

If you forget to do this, please contact us and we will send you a copy.

When you have submitted your application you should receive an e-mail confirming the submission (note that there is sometimes a short delay before you receive this).