Process evaluation on Longitudinal Prize for Dementia

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION *****

This procurement is being concluded following a mini competition under the Research & Insights DPS RM6126.

Brief Description of Requirement

Introduction

This is a specification for the process evaluation of the Longitude Prize on Dementia (LPoD), partly funded by Innovate UK and MRC and delivered by Challenge Works. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the processes surrounding delivery of this prize, as a new venture between the partner organisations.

Background to the requirement

In September 2022, Challenge Works launched the Longitude Prize on Dementia (LPoD). Funded by the Alzheimer's Society, Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council, the prize aims to incentivise innovators to develop assistive technologies to help people affected by dementia to remain independent in their homes, to slow the disease's progression. Participating teams will be challenged to create technologies that learn about the lives of people with early-stage dementia, employing machine learning and artificial intelligence to bridge cognitive gaps as their condition progresses. Over £4.34 million in seed funding and grants will be awarded to the most promising innovators, with a £1 million prize awarded to the winner of the Longitude Prize on Dementia in February 2026.

Funding partners

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is funded by Alzheimer's Society, Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council.

Leading UK dementia charity Alzheimer's Society is a vital source of support and a powerful force for change for everyone living with dementia. Alzheimer's Society is working tirelessly for people with dementia and their carers to live more fulfilled and less fearful lives, free from stigma and inequality. There are an estimated 900,000 people living with a form of dementia in the UK, with a further 225,000 expected to develop dementia this year.

The charity provides help, supporting people living with dementia through some of the hardest and most frightening times, to improve their lives and help to avoid crises. And it provides hope, joining forces with people living with dementia, leading scientists and policy makers to push for cutting edge breakthroughs and societal change to improve the lives of people living with dementia, now and in the future.

The Alzheimer's Society has contributed £3.55 million to the prize programme. In addition, the prize has received generous support from UK donors through Alzheimer's Society, in particular: The Hunter Foundation, CareTech Foundation and Heather Corrie.

Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK's world-class research base. Innovate UK connects businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn these ideas into commercially successful products and services, and business growth.