The Research, Innovation, Climate, Education and Equalities (RICE²) partnership, comprising University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation West of England, and Sirona care & health, has established a shared platform to address health challenges. The agreement aims to tackle system demands, workforce issues, and health inequalities through joint action, research, and innovation.
Operating under the principle of ‘one conversation, many collaborations’, RICE² offers an inclusive environment for health and care providers, innovators, researchers, and academics to co-develop solutions. This approach links with regional capabilities, such as UWE Bristol’s Integrated Care Academy, to streamline the process from challenge identification to practical application, reducing duplication across sectors.
The newly launched £50,000 RICE² Innovation Grant Fund will offer individual awards of up to £5,000. These grants will support collaborative, small-scale initiatives focused on testing, developing, and evaluating healthcare solutions. Applications are open to public, private, academic, and voluntary sector organisations across the West of England, provided at least one project partner is affiliated with a RICE² founding organisation.
Eligible projects include small-scale pilots, feasibility studies, co-design initiatives involving patients and communities, service improvement projects, product and technology development, and workforce innovation. Funded projects must align with regional priorities and national frameworks like the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan. Applications close on Friday 27 November 2026, with funding decisions expected in early December 2026 and project delivery from January to July 2027.
Marc Griffiths, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Regional Partnerships, Engagement and Innovation at UWE Bristol, stated that the partnership and the grant fund empower partners to translate new ideas into sustainable workforce and care solutions. Maria Kane, Chief Executive of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the need for collaboration to address complex health and care demands. Jo Beer, Chief Executive of Sirona care & health, emphasised breaking down organisational silos for joined-up, community-centred care. Natasha Swinscoe, Chief Executive of Health Innovation West of England, noted that RICE² embodies their mission to create a connected ecosystem for better health outcomes. Sanjoy Shah, Founding member of RICE2 and Medical Director for Innovation at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, expressed hope that the fund will enable partners to test and implement innovative solutions for their teams, patients, and communities.
