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The scheme aims to provide infrastructure funding for NHS organisations to act as centres of expertise and catalyse the generation of evidence on IVDs (in vitro diagnostic medical devices).

Diagnostic Evidence Co-operatives will focus on clinical areas where evidence of the clinical validity, clinical utility, cost-effectiveness and care pathway benefits of IVDs has the potential to improve healthcare services and the quality of life of NHS patients.

Led by a clinical director and involving multidisciplinary teams, these co-operatives will facilitate collaborative working with clinicians and other healthcare professionals, the IVD industry, staff of at least one accredited provider of NHS pathology services, NHS commissioners, academic researchers including health economists, and patient-groups.

The aim is also to create new world-class methodologies for IVD assessment.

NIHR funding will be provided to the successful NHS organisations for a four-year period starting 1 September 2013. All NHS organisations in England are eligible to apply.

Competition timeline:

12 September 2012 ÌýÌý - Briefing meeting for potential applicants
23 October 2012ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý- Deadline for receipt of Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire
December 2012ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý - Invite full application from short-listed NHS Organisations
Early March 2013ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý- Deadline for receipt of full application
May 2013ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý- Department of Health confirms successful applicants

for further informationÌýand application guidance forÌýDiagnostic Evidence Co-operatives.