Innovation to Adopt (I2Adopt)

Funding which supports commercially viable innovation for implementation, adoption

Aim

1.      Identify and evaluate implementation feasibility of innovations for adoption and scaling across public healthcare clusters in Singapore.

2.      Engage clusters, clinicians, policy divisions to understand barriers to adoption and encourage commitment to adoption/scaling if barriers are addressed.

3.      Strategies and resources required to address barriers to adoption/scaling.

Eligibility

The Principal Investigator must hold a primary appointment in and be under the employment of a public healthcare institution in Singapore.

Considerations for projects gearing toward clinical adoption:

• Ability to implement a solution prioritised by your Cluster in (i) at least three sites and (ii) in one other cluster(s).

• Approved/Registered or close to regulatory approval or registration; ethics submission or approval (as applicable).

Commercial position: Industry partner’s commitment to pilot at scale for eventual implementation and adoption cross cluster. Industry partner should show independent financial capabilities beyond grants received through this pilot.

Areas of Focus:

Focus Areas: Applications are encouraged to address these areas of population health, mental health and ageing. 

Proposals in other areas that will also be considered include product and/or process innovations that address business, workforce, or organisational transformational needs in the public healthcare sector

        i.            Product Innovation refers to the introduction of a product or service that is new or shows significant improvements with respect to its characteristics or intended uses.

       ii.            Process Innovation refers to the implementation of a new of significantly improved delivery method, with / without innovative technology, to improve core processes and operational efficiencies to reach intended productivity goals.

     iii.            Business Transformation refers to transforming the way we serve the population and patients as One Healthcare. This includes operation models, service models, business process re-engineering and digitalization.

     iv.            Workforce Transformation refers to transforming our healthcare workforce, so as to be productive, sustainable and future-ready. This includes workforce restructuring, capability building, jobs redesign, productivity and building a strong local core.

       v.           Organisational transformation refers to transforming the internal design and workings of agencies so that they remain healthy, effective and future-ready. This includes leadership and culture, organisational structure, organisational systems and processes, management and people practices and workspaces.

 Technology types: Sensors, wearables, robotics and automation; these can be process and product innovations, and not limited to the use of digital technologies.

a.  Sensors & Wearables (S&W)

Innovation that uses S&W. For primary care applications, we are hoping to dramatically (10x) the number of residents an individual doctor can look after.

b.      Artificial Intelligence (AI)

National-level innovative AI solutions to improve operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and/or user satisfaction per use case.

c.       Robotics and Automation (R&A)

Innovations that employ assistive and robotics solutions in back and front room operations.

Funding criteria

Grant applications that emphasise the following aspects are considered for funding:

• Well defined unmet healthcare need incorporating Appropriate & Value-Based Care (AVBC) principles.

• Clear deployment and product development strategy/roadmap.

• Fair market assessment of technology conducted beforehand.

• Solution must (or in queue to be prioritised) in the institutions’ IT and other workplans.

• If applicable and necessary for implementation and scaling, solution must have received regulatory approval.

• Potential to result in reduced healthcare costs, improved clinical outcome and eventual adoption by the healthcare system.

• Cross cluster deployment.

Funding Quantum

Up to $2 million (including institutional co-funding). The co-funding requirement is listed in the table below.

Indirect costs are not provided for this grant.

Funding Duration

18 months

Project Outcomes

Application Process

By invitation only. NHIC will work with respective Cluster MHI Coordinating Parties to select and evaluate proposals.

Innovations prioritised by your respective clusters can be submitted to NHIC for cross-cluster test-bedding.

All applications must be endorsed by Cluster MHI CP and submitted by lead site to NHIC listed in the table below.

 Cluster MHI Coordinating Parties (Cluster MHI CP)

Anticipated Timeline

Review Process

• 

  Curated and prioritised by MHI Coordinating Parties and/or the Healthcare Cluster’s Innovation Offices (or equivalent)

• All grant applications are evaluated based on the criteria detailed below.

• Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch to the Evaluation Panel

• For further queries on this grant, please contact NHIC at grant@nhic.cris.sg

Evaluation Criteria

List of Awarded Projects

For the list of awarded Innovation to Adopt (I2A) projects, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please refer to our list of FAQs for more information.