Call for Applications: Transformative Health Instrument

This call is aimed at start-ups who are focused on creating adaptable innovations that ensure healthcare delivery becomes more personalised, sustainable, and effective. This call aims to foster advancements that not only improve care but also promote long-term sustainability within European healthcare systems.

Objectives and Scope

• With the ambition to contribute to some of the top health priorities that have been identified at the EU level and aligned with their Flagships strategy, EIT Health is calling for projects that are driving Innovation and Transformation in Healthcare.
• Transformative Health Instrument
  • The Transformative Health Instrument (THI) seeks to advance healthcare innovation by supporting state-of-the-art technologies and data-driven approaches to create transformative solutions for a healthier Europe. By leveraging recent breakthroughs in science and technology, the instrument aims to support the evolution of healthcare systems across the continent. It focuses on supporting innovation that leads to improvement of healthcare outcomes, enhancement of efficiency of clinical and operational processes, and ensuring that healthcare systems are better prepared to address emerging challenges. Through these efforts, EIT Health seeks to foster a forward-thinking healthcare landscape that is adaptable, patient-centred towards delivering more sustainable and effective care. Ultimately, it aims to drive long-term improvements in public health, ensuring that European healthcare remains at the forefront of global innovation.
  • The THI is tailored to provide access to funding and EIT Health’s network of expertise and partnerships for companies that have moved beyond the advanced proof-of-concept stage. Its primary goal is to support these businesses with funding to further validate their innovations and accelerating their readiness for market entry. By offering financial support, the instrument enables SMEs to conduct additional testing, validation, and development work that is crucial for navigating the complex transition from concept to commercialization.
  • The THI acts as a gateway to EIT Health’s expansive network of industry experts, mentors, and potential collaborators, to leverage critical support to enhance product development, meet regulatory requirements, and refine go-to-market strategies. This network allows companies to seek expert advice, form strategic partnerships, and collaborate with other innovators, helping them overcome technical challenges and operational barriers. By facilitating these connections, EIT Health empowers companies to advance their innovations and better position themselves for successful market adoption.

Funding Information

• Access to Significant Funding: The THI Call 2025 offers up to €500,000 in funding per project, giving start-ups the resources they need to validate and scale their innovations.
• The Company is requested to co-fund at least 30% of the 2025 project.

Benefits

• Expert Network & Mentorship: Gain access to EIT Health’s extensive network of industry experts, mentors, and collaborators, providing crucial support for refining products, meeting regulatory requirements, and crafting go-to-market strategies.
• Path to Commercialisation: THI funding and resources are specifically designed to support start-ups moving beyond proof-of-concept, helping them conduct further testing, validation, and development to accelerate their market readiness.

Activity and Project

• What is the required innovation maturity level (IML)?
  • IML ≥ 5 for Biotech, IML ≥ 6 for Medtech, and IML ≥ 7 for Digital and Biomarker Diagnostics.
• When should the project start?
  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025, and no extension is allowed.
• What kind of solutions can be included?
  • Biotech, MedTech, Digital Health, and Biomarker/Diagnostics solutions are eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

• EIT Health staff will conduct a formal eligibility check after reviewing all applications, considering completeness and compliance with all requirements specified in the application platform. Applications that do not fulfil eligibility criteria will be rejected from the selection process.
• The following requirements and definitions shall apply to all applicants:
  • The entity is a for-profit micro, small or medium enterprise according to the European Commission SME definition
  • The entity was established in one of the Member States (MS) including their outermost regions, the Overseas Countries and Territories linked to the Member States or in countries associated to Horizon Europe as well as certain low- and middle-income countries The entity must be a privately held company that has not issued any publicly traded securities or initiated any public offering process.
  • The company must have successfully closed an equity funding round in 2023 or 2024 that meets all of the following conditions: Hereafter referred to as a Qualified Investment Round:
    • A minimum total investment of €4,000,000 within a 12-month period, with at least one new investor contributing.
    • At least one of the new investors must be a professional investor in Europe, investing from a fund regulated under either the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), the European Venture Capital Funds (EuVECA) Regulation or similar regulatory framework under national law, or at least one corporate venture capital (CVC) arms. The round must be a priced round with a set valuation. Funding rounds via a convertible note or Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) do not qualify.

For more information, visit EIT Health.