Who we are
What we do
Capacity Building
Engagement
News
Events
Resources

A world leading Horizon Scanning Facility

The Innovation Observatory is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Newcastle University. Established in 2017, we bring together expertise in research, data science and health innovation to identify and assess emerging healthcare innovations, helping health and care organisations prepare for the future.

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Meet the Team

Like all successful organisations the Innovation Observatory is built on the collective effort of a multidisciplinary team.

Our Mission & Values

We help the health and care ecosystem anticipate and prepare for the future.

Our Governance

Our governance arrangements ensure that priorities, resources and delivery are aligned to the needs of the health and care system while maintaining appropriate assurance and public accountability.

Preparing health and care for what's next

The NIHR Innovation Observatory identifies emerging innovations across the global healthcare landscape and transforms them into trusted intelligence that helps organisations anticipate change, make informed decisions and prepare for the future.

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What is Horizon Scanning?

Identifying today's emerging innovations to prepare for tomorrow's healthcare challenges

Our Technical Infrastructure

Building a connected, scalable infrastructure for the next generation of healthcare horizon scanning

Our Programmes

Our four horizon scanning programmes span from Priority, Reactive, Proactive, and Demand Signalling. Find out more about how they all work together.

Capacity Building

We are committed to building capability across the health and care system by developing skills, supporting careers and creating opportunities to learn, collaborate and grow.

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CPD and Short Courses

We develop and share cutting edge methods in horizon scanning, building capacity in the system across the public, voluntary and industry sectors.

Developing our People

We invest in people and support them in realising their full potential. Through nurturing and encouraging career development, we grow future national and international leaders.

Learning Opportunities

Connecting the wider community with opportunities to learn, collaborate and develop through fellowships, immersion events, placements and external programmes.

Engaging with a wide range of different audiences

We provide a gateway to collaboration, intelligence, and growth opportunities in healthcare and life sciences.

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Ecosystem Engagement

Connecting with stakeholders across health and care to share knowledge, build relationships and support the effective use of our work.

Public & Patient Involvement

Embedding lived experience into our work to ensure our approaches and outputs reflect the needs of patients and the public.

Resources

Living Dashboards
Visual Reports
Journal Articles
Reports
Technology Briefings

Live Dashboards

Rare Diseases Medicines

April 2024

Live Dashboards

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products

September 2023

Live Dashboards

Repurposed Medicines Dashboard

December 2022

Who we are
What we do
Capacity Building
Engagement
News
Events
Resources
Contact

News

Latest News and Insight

Discover the latest news, insight and case studies from NIHR Innovation Observatory

Case Studies

From Aspiration to Business as Usual: A Future Partnership Conversation between NIHR Innovation Observatory and National Voices

15 July 2026

Case Studies

HDRUK Black Internship Programme – Muhinyia Ndegwa

15 July 2026

Case Studies

Building the Next Generation of Horizon Scanning Experts

15 July 2026

Case Studies

CPD Course: Horizon Scanning for Medicinal Products

8 July 2026

Case Studies

COVID-19: Responding rapidly to an immediate challenge

24 June 2026

Case Studies

How Early Insight Shapes NICE Guidance: Delivery and Impact (2017-2026)

24 June 2026

News

An interview with Dr Patience Kunonga…

21 May 2026

9 min read

News

Listening Deeply: Involving children in shaping the future of health and care

8 May 2026

5 min read

News

Shaping a More Equitable Future in Health and Care: Join us at the Futures, Foresight & Horizon Scanning Conference 2025

17 September 2025

2 min read

Get in touch

Register your details and one of our team will be in touch shortly.

Contact

Tel:
+44 (0) 191 208 2259

Email:
info@io.nihr.ac.uk

Find us

The Catalyst
Room 3.12
3 Science Square
Newcastle Helix
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 5TG

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© 2026 National Institute for Health and Care Research Innovation Observatory (NIHRIO), The University of Newcastle upon Tyne. This website is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (NIHR209269).

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