Sandpit fund

The Tay Health Tech Collaborative Fund launched in 2026, and the Sandpit Fund within it is now open to applications.

A sandpit is an interactive, collaborative workshop designed to bring together people from different disciplines, organisations or sectors to explore ideas, test concepts and develop innovative solutions in a safe, experimental environment. We can offer up to £50,000 per sandpit, to include both the cost of the event and any seed funding offered for pilot studies following the event. We aim to fund at least two sandpits.

Opening date	6 August 2026
Closing date	Until funding runs out
Maximum funding per project	£50,000

Scope

• One- or two-day events held in Tayside for creative, exploratory discussions on a particular topic.
• Bring together a diverse group: could be different sectors, job roles, organisations.
• Identify unmet needs.
• Outcome-oriented: produce new partnerships, generate collaborative project ideas and project proposals.
• Providing seed-funding for proof of concept projects.

The sandpit theme should fall under one or more of the Collaborative Fund themes:

• At home testing
• Hospital at Home
• Rehabilitation and Prehabilitation
• Prevention & Prognosis
• Youth health
• Substance Use
• Mental Health

Eligibility

• The lead organisation (the applicant) must be eligible for EPSRC funding, i.e. higher education providers, research institutes, public sector research establishments, NHS bodies, independent research organisations, Catapult centres.
• Partners can include higher education, further education, industry, civic bodies, health and social care organisations and third sector organisations. At least one partner must have a base in Tayside.
• The benefit to Tayside must be an underlying theme through the event. Sandpit proposals will need to include the benefits to Tayside as a primary criterion of assessment.
• Sandpit themes must be based on engineering and physical sciences research (that falls under the EPSRC remit), that are considered medical devices or medical technology.
• Can include Software as a Medical Device, and AI as a Medical Device.
• Civic engagement is expected, whether health and social care providers, community groups, local authorities, third sector organisations or further education. The Citizens Assembly should be considered as potential participants in any sandpit.

• Events must be held in Tayside, and we recommend using the Dundee City Region Convention Bureau for support. This free service can help you find and assess venues, create delegate handbooks, collate travel and accommodation guides and more.
• Events will be expected to include consideration of accessibility and inclusion, including promotional materials, venue choice, date of event and duration of any calls for funding.

Eligible Costs

• Facilitator costs (fees, travel, accommodation)
• Venue hire
• Catering
• Travel and accommodation of participants where needed
• Seed-funding (projects will need to be approved by Tay Health Tech)

Application Review

Eligible applications will be reviewed and selected by the Tay Health Tech Steering Board based on:

• Impact on, and benefit to, Tayside
• Event plan, including theme covered and proposed audience
• Value for money
• Patient & Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE)
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)