The UK’s Technology Strategy Board has partnered with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to invest as mush as £9 million ($14.2 million) in grant funding with the aim of bringing proof-of-concept ideas to pilot technology demonstration for healthcare.

The Technology Strategy Board is a UK government body sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS), and charged with bringing together the business community, researchers, and the public sector to meet market needs and build the future economy. The specific goal of this project is to ensure that the healthcare sector adopts emerging novel nanoscale technology-enabled solutions by providing support to a commercialization route through innovative businesses.

The focus is on highly innovative, collaborative research in nanoscale technology-enabled solutions that deliver therapeutics and diagnostics. About £3 million ($4.75 million) is available for businesses (through the Technology Strategy Board), and £6 million ($9.49 million) is available for participation by academia (through the EPSRC). Collaborations to be considered must be business-led, but draw at least one partner from large or small businesses, academia, research, and technology organizations, or not-for-profit organizations. Projects can receive between £500,000 ($791,200) and £2 million ($3.16 million).

The Technology Strategy Board will accept applications from Nov. 1, 2011 until Dec. 13, 2011. Further information can be found here.