This UKRI Challenge Fund investment will recruit up to five million volunteers who have agreed to help in a health project that will track their health records and potentially invite them to join further research studies.
The investment aims to:
- improve NHS-industry-academic collaboration and innovation
- improve risk prediction, early detection and early intervention
- develop a unique research and development environment
- increase economic growth and new UK investment
- improve data sharing, digital connectivity and access to data
A new research organisation, Our Future Health, has been established to lead this programme. UKRI Challenge Fund funding is expected to be matched by a £160 million investment from industry and charity partners.
Over time the project will develop into a new national resource to support the development of new diagnostic tools and technologies. To deliver this resource, volunteers will provide a blood sample for analysis and consent for access to their health records. Following participants over time will support research on the early detection of disease.
The participants will provide data over many years, which will be linked to NHS and other health-related records.
De-personalised data from this national resource will be used for approved research projects aimed at improving early detection, prevention and treatment of disease. Therefore, volunteers will be contributing to vital research even when they are not invited to join individual future studies.