Technology prize

Technology to help people stay independent in their own homes is the focus of a prize worth more than £4 million launching in September.

The Longitude Prize on Dementia, announced by Alzheimer’s Society, Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council, is designed to incentivise the development of new assistive technologies.

Overseen by Challenge Works, an innovation prize specialist, the Longitude Prize will award £3.1 million in seed funding and grants to those judged to be the most promising innovators, plus a £1 million prize to the winner in early 2026.

“Current technologies supporting dementia care focus on monitoring people and alerting their carers, but there are real opportunities for innovation which will support people to live joyfully and independently,” said Alzheimer’s Society CEO Kate Lee.

“The Longitude Prize on Dementia will deliver technologies that become an extension of the individual’s working ‘brain’ and memory in a way that is specific to their needs – enabling them to continue living at home and doing the things they love for as long as possible.”