Imperial College Health Partners (ICHP), in partnership with Cogniss, has launched ICHP Build — a new fully funded programme designed to help people across North West London turn their ideas into working digital health apps.
Over nine months, participants will learn how to design, build and test digital solutions for patients using a no‑code platform. No technical or coding experience is needed. By the end of the programme, each participant will have created a working prototype ready for real‑world testing and, where there is interest, potential piloting within the NHS.
Turning frontline insight into real‑world solutions
Many of the most impactful ideas for improving health and care come from those who experience challenges first‑hand — clinicians, service managers, patients, carers and communities. Yet these ideas often lack the support needed to become practical tools that can make a difference.
ICHP Build aims to change that. The programme provides a structured, fully funded pathway to help people who want to innovate transform their insights into digital solutions that improve care, outcomes and experience for local communities.
What the programme offers
Participants will receive support throughout the full journey of innovation – from shaping an initial idea to building and testing a prototype. The programme includes:
- A fully funded pathway to design, build and test a digital health app
- Access to Cogniss’s no‑code platform (no technical experience required)
- Structured support from idea → prototype → testing
- Expert input to ensure solutions are effective and designed with NHS use in mind
- Support to test and refine solutions in real‑world settings
Who can apply
ICHP Build is open to individuals or small teams (up to 20 places available) who live or work in North West London and have an idea to improve health or the delivery of care.
People who are eligible to apply include:
- NHS staff across North West London
- Health, social care and voluntary sector professionals
- Researchers and academics
- Patients, carers and residents with lived experience
The programme is ideal for people who understand a specific challenge and want to explore how a digital solution could help address it.
Focus areas
While all ideas to improve health and care are welcome, priority will be given to ideas that are aligned to priorities within ICHP’s Mission areas:
Optimising care of cardiovascular disease
- Improving early detection and prevention of heart, kidney and metabolic conditions
- We are interested in ways to help identify people at risk of developing conditions earlier, before they become more serious. This could include improving how risk is predicted, helping target support to those who need it most, and enabling earlier action to prevent or delay conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
- Improving joined-up, person-centred care for people living with long-term conditions
- We are interested in ways to support people to better manage their health, alongside more coordinated care across services. This could include supporting self‑management, improving how medications are used, and helping different parts of the system work together to provide more holistic, person‑centred care.
Improving Children and Young People’s Neurodivergence support
- Improving how digital support is organised and personalised for neurodivergent children and young people
- We are interested in resources that bring together existing support tools and resources in one place, and better match them to individual needs, helping children, families and professionals find the right support more easily.
- Improving (classroom) education and learning in neurodivergent children and young people
- We are interested in ways to support education and learning in children and young people, especially in the classroom. For example, giving teachers practical, easy‑to‑use strategies they can apply in the classroom, tailored to different subjects and stages of learning.
- Improving how families are supported to build healthy habits in early childhood
- We are interested in ways that help children (especially under 12) and their families build healthy habits around food, physical activity and emotional wellbeing. This could include making it easier for families to find and access existing support, connecting services across schools, community organisations and healthcare, or supporting parents- especially in early years- to give children the best start.
Tackling obesity prevalence and inequalities
- Improving access to and experience of adult weight management services
- We are interested in ways to make it easier for adults- particularly those most at risk- to access and engage with weight management services. This could include improving referrals, making services for residents more visible and joined-up, reducing barriers to joining or staying in programmes, enhancing user experience, and supporting people to maintain healthy changes over the long term, not just achieve short-term results.
- Improving access to GLP-1 weight-loss treatments with appropriate wraparound care
- We are interested in ways to support the safe and effective use of GLP-1 weight‑loss medications as part of a wider care package. This could include helping identify people who would benefit most, providing education to improve understanding and manage expectations, and ensuring medication is combined with the right lifestyle and behavioural support to support sustainable outcomes.
What success looks like
By the end of the programme, participants will have:
- Developed a working digital health app or prototype
- Tested their solution with users and gathered feedback
- Gained confidence in designing safe, effective digital tools
- A clear understanding of next steps for development, evaluation and potential adoption
While participation does not guarantee NHS adoption, solutions will be developed to a standard that enables piloting where there is interest and alignment.
Programme details and how to apply
- Duration: August 2026 – April 2027
- Commitment: Minimum 4 hours per week
- Places available: 20 individuals or small teams
- Apply by: Tuesday 14 July, 5pm
- Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place 22 July
Apply here
Interested in finding out more?
Join our information session – ICHP Build: What You Need to Know from 12pm – 1pm on Monday 22 June.
Contact olivia.pang@imperialcollegehealthpartners.com if you have any further questions.
