A second round of applications is open for the EMAHSNs evaluation fund, which will make £300k available for NHS organisations to be able to independently evaluate projects already in place to determine the benefits of implementation.

The opportunity for evaluation funding could help to influence further project funding or form part of a business case to make the innovation part of an organisation’s standard practice.

Projects could involve the implementation of a new product or device or may involve a service redesign or a new, innovative way of delivering patient care.

EMAHSN can help to source an evaluation partner or project teams can utilise established connections with a known provider. EMAHSN can also provide advice and guidance on the evaluation design, helping organisations to get the best evaluation of their project.

Applications must be made directly by an NHS organisation but can be written in collaboration with an innovator. Projects must not have already received other external funding to evaluate the project.

Eligibility criteria

Projects must fit under one of the following NHS England 2021/22 priorities as set out in the planning guidance:

1. Supporting the health and wellbeing of staff and taking action on recruitment and retention.
2. Delivering the NHS COVID vaccination programme and continuing to meet the needs of patients with COVID.
3. Building on what we have learned during the pandemic to transform the delivery of services, accelerate the restoration of elective and cancer care and manage the increasing demand for mental health services.
4. Expanding primary care capacity to improve access, local health outcomes and address health inequalities.
5. Transforming community, Urgent and Emergency Care to prevent inappropriate attendance at ED, improve timely admission to hospital for ED patients and reduce the length of stay and/or support prompt and safe discharge.

How to apply

Applications to apply for the fund will close on Friday 30 September 2022.

To submit an application, this can be done by signing up on the Meridian platform.

More information

Evaluations are scored by a panel from the EMAHSNs internal team who will focus on a number of key considerations including the potential outcomes and benefits, consideration for digital exclusion and patient equality, robust data collection and processing, the potential for adoption and spread and the potential effect on the health economy.

Download a copy of the FAQs here.

If you have any questions about the evaluation fund or the application process please contact Dawn Plummer, Senior Innovation Lead at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.