The Alzheimer’s Society, Innovate UK, and the Medical Research Council have joined forces to announce a new £4.1m Longitude Prize on Dementia.
From September, global innovators will be invited to ‘develop technologies that learn about the lives and routines of people living with early stage dementia, employing assistive technology and machine learning to adapt as their condition progresses’.
Inspired by the original 18th century longitude rewards, the Longitude Prize on Dementia is aimed at incentivising a new generation of assistive technologies, supporting those living with dementia to remain independent in their own homes as long as possible.
The £4.1m prize has been funded by Alzheimer’s Society, Innovate UK, and the Medical Research Council. The prize has been designed and is being delivered by Challenge Works, and will consist of £3.1 million in seed funding and grants to the most promising innovators, with a £1 million prize awarded to the winner in early 2026.
Alzheimer’s Society CEO Kate Lee said: “As the UK’s leading dementia charity, the Alzheimer’s society is a vital source of support for everyone affected by dementia. We know that there are treatments around the corner but we want to change the way people are living with dementia now. 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. 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.”
