SIA grant for research program SPIRIT

The national research program SPIRIT has received an SIA grant. The program launches on September 1st and focuses on developing sustainable, practice-oriented solutions that will keep healthcare future-proof and staffed.

SPIRIT stands for Partnership for Practice-Oriented Innovation Research in Regional Infrastructures for Technology. In this national consortium, more than fifty partners will collaborate on solutions that contribute to reducing workload, optimizing staff deployment, promoting health and self-reliance, and moving care to the living environment.

Medical Delta is one of the consortium partners of SPIRIT, as are the Medical Delta Living Labs Blended Rehabilitation, TIPIZ, and Assistive Technology for the Home. Dr. Helma Kaptein, program leader of the Medical Delta Living Lab TIPIZ and lecturer at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, will chair SPIRIT for its first two years.

National Collaboration

The goal of the program is to develop a national infrastructure in which technological and social innovations are sustainably embedded in healthcare. Its strength lies in the combination of technological and social innovation, supported by a broad network throughout the country. More than ten universities of applied sciences participate in the collaboration, including four participating in Medical Delta, and dozens of partners from healthcare practice and the business community.

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences is the lead partner of SPIRIT. The chair rotates biennially among a number of professors. SPIRIT builds on the knowledge and experience of the national professor platform PIT (Platform for the Deployment of Technology for Health and Care). Within this platform, professors work to improve healthcare practice through innovation, research, and collaboration.

"With this collaboration, we can truly make a difference in transforming healthcare. There is a lot of technology available that can help healthcare, but it is not sufficiently discovered or used," says SPIRIT chair Helma Kaptein. "SPIRIT fosters connections between regional hubs, enabling practice-oriented research and training of current and future professionals to achieve faster and better results. This truly helps the field move forward."

Robust knowledge infrastructure

The program is made possible by a grant from the National Coordinator for Applied Research (SIA). For the first four years, the consortium will receive €2 million in funding from SIA, and the consortium partners will co-finance this with €2 million of their own contribution. After these four years, an extension of another four years is possible. This will allow for the development of a robust knowledge infrastructure in which universities of applied sciences, vocational education (mbo), and research universities, healthcare institutions, and businesses collaborate to maintain the staffing capacity of healthcare providers.

SPIRIT is developing a joint methodology for design, implementation, and evaluation research. This human-centered approach, with short development cycles and close collaboration with healthcare professionals and clients, ensures that innovation is better aligned with practice. Students and researchers contribute to improving processes and implementing new technologies in healthcare practice.

Kick-off in September

The official kick-off will take place in September with a kick-off meeting for all consortium partners, including the eleven applicant universities of applied sciences: Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, and Windesheim University of Applied Sciences. This will be followed by a series of activities, meetings, and communications about the progress, opportunities for collaboration within research projects, and the results of the practice-based research.

Also read: Nieuwe thematsiche SPRONG-groepen in zorgdomein gefinancierd door Regieorgaan SIA (in Dutch)