The UK government has announced a £20 million funding boost for innovators developing new medicines, medical technologies and digital tools aimed at reducing
deaths and harm caused by drug and alcohol addiction.
The funding, delivered through Innovate UK, is designed to accelerate cutting-edge solutions ranging from wearable devices and artificial intelligence to virtual-reality therapies and treatment apps. The goal: improve treatment, strengthen recovery and save lives.
Thousands of people die each year in the UK as a result of substance misuse, while hundreds of thousands more live with addiction’s long-term physical, mental and social consequences. Alcohol and drug misuse is estimated to cost England around £47 billion annually.
Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said: “Addiction ruins lives and we need to look at any way we can help ease the suffering - and aid the recovery - of hundreds of thousands of people. Embracing new technology will help supplement all the work this government is already doing, including expanding access to vital drugs and providing billions in funding for drug and alcohol prevention treatment and recovery.
Finding new ways to combat the scourge of addiction could save thousands of lives and billions of pounds”.
The funding forms part of the Addiction Healthcare Goals (AHG) programme, led by the Office for Life Sciences. Its new Catalysing Innovation Awards will back projects developing novel medicines, medical devices, digital platforms, AI-enabled tools and immersive therapies.
These innovations are expected to help prevent relapse, reduce overdose risk and improve long-term outcomes for people living with addiction.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Cutting-edge medicines and technologies could save thousands of lives lost to alcohol and drug addiction while improving outcomes for hundreds of thousands more.
Backing both late‑stage technologies and earlier‑stage innovations means we are creating a clear and rapid route from breakthrough ideas to real‑world impact.
This is about using the UK’s scientific excellence to prevent avoidable deaths and support recovery, while helping innovative companies to grow and thrive in the UK at the same time”.
Professor Anne Lingford‑Hughes, Chair of Addiction Healthcare Goals, said: “Too many lives are still cut short by drug and alcohol addictions, and healthcare innovations are urgently needed to address the immense personal, mental and physical health and societal impacts they cause.
To meet this challenge, I am pleased to be working with Innovate UK to launch these Catalysing Innovation Awards, supporting the development of the most promising medicines, devices and digital tools to enhance treatment and care.
These awards will support UK companies and innovators to build the evidence needed to show what works in real services, ensuring innovations reach the people who need them sooner, prevent deaths and strengthen recovery”.
Dr Stella Peace, Managing Director, Healthy Living and Agriculture, Innovate UK, said: “Working with the Office for Life Sciences, Innovate UK is accelerating the development of cutting‑edge drug and alcohol addiction treatments and interventions to move quickly from research into real‑world services.
By fast‑tracking these innovations into the hands of clinicians and support teams, we can improve outcomes for people with these addictions and drive economic benefit for the UK”.
Applications for funding open today (16 February 2026). Late-stage projects can apply for awards of up to £10 million, provided they demonstrate real-world effectiveness, readiness for the UK market and progress towards regulatory approval. These projects are expected to be close to deployment within health and care services.
A second funding strand will support earlier-stage innovations, offering grants of up to £1.5 million to help developers prove initial effectiveness and strengthen business plans.
Successful applicants will also receive expert guidance sessions from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, helping them navigate evidence requirements and the route to UK approval and rollout.
Applications close on 6 May 2026. An online briefing event will take place on 19 February to explain eligibility, scope and the application process. Further details are available on Innovate UK’s website.