Innovation Challenge on Decentralised Test Innovations launched

TNO has launched an Innovation Challenge for the development of innovative, lab-independent tests that can be deployed both in future pandemic situations and for non-pandemic applications.

The aim is to stimulate a robust value chain for decentralised test innovations — from manufacturing through to data delivery — and through this to contribute to better preparedness and broader applicability of testing technologies.

P3Dx aims to better prepare the Netherlands for a pandemic situation: by organising knowledge and skills, retaining capabilities, and sharing knowledge. The focus is on the development of technology that supports the design and use of lab-independent test platforms, for use at home and/or at small-scale testing locations (e.g. schools, care institutions, general-practitioner posts, neighbourhood offices). We are looking for innovations that lead to solutions that make our society more resilient and that enable us to respond more quickly and effectively to a pandemic threat.

TNO is making €1,000,000 available and intends to enter into multiple contracts with different parties. These can be either individual parties (maximum contract value €200,000) or a combination of several parties (maximum contract value €400,000).

Based on several market consultations, it has been decided to set up the process to be as SME-friendly as possible — keeping the administrative burden low while at the same time supporting parties through one-on-one dialogues when drafting an innovation proposal. Specific attention is paid to the retention of intellectual property and to the exploitation of results by the participating parties.

P3Dx aims to share the generic knowledge that emerges from this programme with an ecosystem of parties that can support us in a future pandemic situation.

Submitted plans of approach will be reviewed by an evaluation team consisting of internal and external experts with knowledge across the various subdomains. Proposals will be evaluated on quality (70%) and price (30%).

The intention is that parties will be able to start their innovation tracks mid-2025 and deliver their results by the end of 2026.

Read more about the Innovation Challenge on the Decentralised test innovations page or go to the announcement of the Innovation Challenge on TenderNed.