A prize fund of £45,000 has been announced to encourage innovation in healthcare technologies. The competition is open to partnerships of university researchers, healthcare practitioners and companies of all sizes.

Now in its second year, the Da Vinci Awards recognise healthcare innovations that will save lives and improve services to patients. Applications must involve a partnership of at least two of the following types of organisation, one to be East Midlands based:

• Health care practice (University hospitals and Primary Care Trusts)
• Research institution (including universities)
• Health care industry (including start ups)

Three awards, each worth £15k, are available:

• Clinical impact Award: For a technology, design or process that has the potential to make a major impact on a critical healthcare issue in order to benefit patient care.
  
  
• Breakthrough Technology Award: For the development of an innovative technology that demonstrates both a step change and significant commercial potential. This award is in memory of Peter Smith, co-founder of the Da Vinci network, Professor of Photonics Engineering and former head Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Loughborough University.
  
  
• Newcomer Award: For either a student / academic researcher / clinician / start up company engaged in project begun between July 2007 – July 2008.

“Networking is crucial to identify the best scientists, engineers and clinicians to address major challenges in healthcare,” says Anna Seddon, manager of the Da Vinci network. She continues, “These awards are an excellent opportunity for dynamic partnerships to both raise the profile of their work and advance its development with a generous cash prize.”

Full details are available at www.davinci-net.org and the deadline for entries is 10 October 2008. Winners will be announced in November at an evening awards ceremony shortly after.