This challenge seeks innovation to support the delivery of transforming Cattle Mortality Intelligence to Improve Animal Health Surveillance and Proactive Herd Health in Wales.
Cattle mortality data may provide valuable information on animal health, disease emergence and herd management. However, there are opportunities to make better use of mortality data alongside wider animal health surveillance information to generate timely intelligence that supports veterinary decision-making, farmer engagement and evidence-based policy.
Improving the collection, access, interpretation and communication of mortality intelligence could enable earlier identification of disease risks, encourage preventative herd health management and support the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Animal health and welfare framework for Wales, while contributing to the objectives of the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
We are therefore seeking innovative technologies, digital tools, data-driven approaches or other novel solutions that improve the collection, integration, analysis and application of cattle mortality intelligence to support proactive animal health management.
Phase 1: Feasibility – We are looking to fund up to five projects, each with a maximum value of £60,000 (excluding VAT).
Note: Projects that are successful in Phase 1 may be eligible to apply for subsequent phases. Any future phases will be subject to the outcomes of Phase 1 and the availability of future funding.
Your application should demonstrate a credible end-to-end pathway across all four areas of the theme (see Scope, below), and involve at least one Veterinary practice based in Wales.
Register for the virtual Briefing Event, 14:30, Monday 14th September 2026.
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Contracts for Innovation competitions are open to any size or type of organisation, including businesses of any size, academic and research organisations and not-for-profits and charities.
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Successful proposals should improve the collection, integration, accessibility, interpretation or application of cattle mortality data to better understand mortality events, identify underlying causes and support earlier identification of disease risks.
Mortality Intelligence
Solutions should demonstrate how mortality intelligence can be used to generate actionable insights that improve herd health management, inform decision-making and support disease prevention. How will mortality data be collected, integrated, analysed and turned into actionable intelligence?
Animal Health Surveillance
Solutions should demonstrate how mortality intelligence can strengthen animal health surveillance through earlier disease detection, improved situational awareness or enhanced integration with existing surveillance data. How will intelligence improve surveillance and identify emerging disease risks earlier?
Veterinary Decision-Making and Communication
Solutions should support veterinarians in interpreting and communicating mortality and surveillance intelligence to farmers, encouraging timely intervention, greater uptake of preventative herd health practices and increased participation in surveillance activities. How will the intelligence be interpreted and communicated to vets/farmers to enable timely decisions?
On-Farm Intervention
Solutions should demonstrate how improved mortality intelligence and surveillance can support practical interventions for priority cattle health challenges, including respiratory disease, lameness and calf health. Proposals should also explain how the approach will enable earlier decision-making and disease prevention. How will those decisions translate into preventative action and improved herd health outcomes?
The key focus will be on demonstrating the affordability, scalability and practical implementation of solutions that can be deployed at pace.
Where applications build upon previous trials or small-scale testing, they must clearly explain how this funding will accelerate wider development and adoption. Applications should outline any previous barriers to implementation and demonstrate how these will be addressed.
Projects must demonstrate how their proposed solution will address all four areas of the challenge scope. Applicants are not expected to develop a fully operational solution across all four areas during Phase 1; however, proposals must demonstrate a credible end-to-end pathway linking mortality intelligence through surveillance, veterinary decision-making and communication and ultimately to on-farm intervention and preventative action.
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When developing innovative digital systems in Wales, compliance with the Welsh Language Act 1993 should be considered from the outset rather than retrospectively. Public-facing digital solutions must ensure that Welsh is treated no less favourably than English, providing users with an equivalent experience across all functions, content and communications. Embedding bilingual design principles throughout the innovation lifecycle helps organisations meet statutory requirements while improving accessibility, inclusivity and user experience for people across Wales. Welsh language and accessibility requirements should therefore be incorporated into system design, testing and implementation activities from the earliest stages.
Useful guidance and resources
- https://www.gov.wales/bilingual-technology-toolkit-good-user-experience
- https://www.gov.wales/accessible-communication-and-information-standards-healthcare
Key considerations for innovation projects
- Design bilingual functionality from the earliest stages of development.
- Ensure Welsh and English users have an equivalent digital experience.
- Incorporate accessibility requirements alongside Welsh language standards.
- Engage Welsh-speaking users in testing and evaluation activities.
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Current funding of £300,000, excluding VAT, is available to fund up to 5 projects up to a value of £60,000, excluding VAT, each – which may be subject to change, dependent upon the number/quality of submissions received.
Project costs must be clearly substantiated and value for money demonstrated. We reserve the right to adjust the provisional funding allocations, I.e., should additional funding become available or if the scale of the delivery across Wales warrants an increased allocation.
Project costs can be claimed for the innovation solution provider and for additional collaborators/subcontractors. However, this should be specified within the challenge application with clear roles stated (ideally with named individuals for each role).
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Register for the virtual Briefing Event, 14:30, Monday 14th September 2026.
For any enquiries about this competition e-mail: ContractsforInnovationCymru@wales.nhs.uk.