Investing in medical manikins is crucial for improving healthcare education, clinical simulation, and emergency response training. However, high-quality manikins—especially high-fidelity simulation models—can be expensive. The good news? In both the United Kingdom and the United States, there are government grants and funding programs available to support institutions in purchasing this essential training equipment.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- Whether grants exist
- Who qualifies
- How to apply
- Real-world examples
- Where to find application resources
Government Funding in the United Kingdom
Do Grants Exist?
Yes. The UK government has allocated funding to support simulation-based healthcare training, especially for universities, NHS trusts, and training centers.
Key Sources of Funding
| Funding Body | Description |
| Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) | In 2021, allocated £15 million for simulation learning technology, including medical manikins |
| NHS England & NHS Education for Scotland (NES) | Supports education and workforce development, often including simulation. |
| Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) | Run funding competitions and pilots for innovative medical education tools. |
| Health Education England (HEE) | Supports education and workforce development, often includes simulation. |
Who Can Apply?
- Universities with healthcare programs
- NHS-affiliated training centres
- Simulation labs in healthcare trusts
How to Apply
- Visit your regional AHSN or HEE page for grant announcements
- Prepare a proposal outlining:
- Training needs
- Type of manikin required
- Learning outcomes
- Cost breakdown
Look for open calls on Gov.ukand NHS England
Government Funding in the United States
Are Grants Available?
Yes. Several federal and state-level programs offer funding to enhance medical education, especially for underserved or rural areas.
Key Funding Programs
| Agency | Description |
| Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) | Offers simulation and training grants to health programs. |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | Supports research and innovation, including medical simulation development. |
| U.S. Department of Education | Funds career and technical education programs that may include manikin purchases. |
| Local Workforce Development Boards | Often fund training programs through community colleges and trade schools. |
Who Can Apply?
- Universities and colleges with healthcare programs
- Hospitals and training institutions
- Public health departments
- Technical and community colleges
Where to Apply
- Grants.gov
- HRSA.gov
- NIH Funding Opportunities
- Contact your state department of health or education for local programs
Real-World Examples of Medical Manikin Grant Use
| Institution | Country | Grant Amount | Purpose & Outcome | Source |
| Ferris State University | USA | $7,500 | Funded by The Ferris Foundation to purchase CPR training manikins, enhancing hands-on nursing education. | Ferris State University – Facebook |
| Haywood Community College | USA | $400,000 | Received a grant to expand EMS training facilities with high-fidelity manikins, improving real-world emergency response readiness. | Haywood Community College Gets $400K for Digital Literacy |
| Multiple UK Universities | UK | Part of £15M DHSC Fund | Enabled upgrades of simulation suites, including modern manikins and virtual learning integration, to support advanced medical training. | £25 million boost for nurse training – GOV.UK |
| Kingston University | UK | Not specified | Opened new immersive healthcare simulation suites with state-of-the-art manikins and virtual reality technology to provide up-to-date training for healthcare students. | Kingston University’s new immersive healthcare simulation suites |
| Basildon Hospital | UK | Not specified | Established a new simulation suite featuring state-of-the-art manikins to improve patient care by enhancing medical training for doctors. | Training manikins to help transform patient care |
| Middlesex University | UK | Not specified | Developed a state-of-the-art simulation centre incorporating virtual reality and talking manikins to enhance nursing education. | Out of this world: how tech is transforming nurse education |
Tips for Securing a Grant
- Align with healthcare workforce goals: Emphasize training quality, safety, and patient outcomes.
- Show sustainability: Detail how the manikins will be used long-term and maintained.
- Include measurable outcomes: Demonstrate how training results will improve with simulation.
Helpful Resources
| Country | Link |
| UK | Gov.uk Education & Health Grants |
| UK | NHS England – Simulation & Tech |
| US | Grants.gov – Federal Grants |
| US | NIH Research Grants |
Final Thoughts
If your organization is looking to enhance clinical training, government grants for medical manikins can be a practical solution. While application processes vary, both the UK and USA offer solid opportunities for educational institutions, healthcare providers, and simulation labs.
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Chongqing Scope Instrument Co., Ltd. is a professional supplier in the field of instruments and equipment for laboratory, Medical training, and Industry. We are located in one of the biggest cities of China, Chongqing.
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