Deadline: 19-Nov-2025
A substantial new funding opportunity is now open to NHS organisations across the UK through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme.
With a total pool of up to £85 million, jointly supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Lilly, this initiative is designed to pioneer innovative methods to manage and support individuals dealing with obesity.
The programme invites NHS organisations to develop care pathways rooted in the community and primary care that are holistic, person-centred, clinically robust and resource-efficient. Proposals should enable patients to access lifestyle and weight management support—both local and national—and, where clinically appropriate, obesity medication.
This strand focuses on creating and operating access and management services, with projects requiring a budget between £2 million and £3.5 million. Proposals must demonstrate readiness to launch by early 2026 and serve patients from August of that year through to March 2029. A core aim is to deliver seamless, multidisciplinary pathways that are flexible in format—digital, physical, or hybrid—and that conscientiously address health inequalities.
Successful applicants will also contribute to evaluating and shaping national guidelines through routine reporting and oversight. The programme’s results are intended to inform future recommendations by authoritative bodies such as NICE and SIGN. A wide range of innovative models is encouraged, including pharmacy-led models, digital services, and integration with community services—projects that address rural and urban needs, deprivation, and ethnic diversity are especially welcomed.
The application timeline spans from early September to mid-November 2025, with interviews slated for January 2026. Strong proposals will be grounded in system readiness, clinical governance, evaluation plans and a clear roadmap for implementation, sustainability and potential scale-up.
This competition offers a major opportunity for NHS organisations to reshape obesity care by integrating innovation with equity and sustainability, paving the way for improved outcomes for patients across the UK.
For more information, visit Innovate UK.
