EIT Health - Fostering Oportunities in Regional Growth Across Europe
Design and deliver the FORGE blended learning programme to strengthen the capacity of regional health innovation ecosystem actors across Europe.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: Design, development and delivery of the FORGE blended learning and capacity-building programme for regional health innovation ecosystem actors. Activities include asynchronous learning content, interactive online workshops, expert-led sessions, one-to-one mentoring, a public roundtable, a three-day face-to-face study visit, a final face-to-face event, and the development and refinement of programme materials and methodology.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Health innovation ecosystems, with a focus on health, digital health and deep-tech healthcare entrepreneurship, as well as education and capacity building for regional innovation ecosystem actors.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least two and a maximum of four independent legal entities, with at least two entities established in different Horizon Europe countries. At least one consortium member must be established in an EIT RIS-eligible country, and the consortium must involve partners from at least two sides of the Knowledge Triangle: Industry, Education and Research.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Entities eligible for funding must be established in an EU Member State, an Overseas Country or Territory linked to a Member State, a country associated with Horizon Europe, or an eligible low- or middle-income country. Applicants must meet the consortium composition requirements and comply with the participation, exclusion and funding conditions set out in the call.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: The programme focuses on strengthening regional health innovation ecosystems through health innovation ecosystem development, ecosystem mapping and stakeholder engagement, innovation support services, sustainable ecosystem building, commercialisation and venture support, intellectual property and regulatory considerations, ecosystem activation, partnership development, funding strategies, and the development of regional ecosystem transformation roadmaps and action plans.
PROJECTS DURATION: Project costs may be incurred from 1 January 2027 and projects must end by 31 December 2028. Project workplans must last no longer than 24 months. The FORGE programme itself is designed to be delivered over a maximum of eight months per programme cycle.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: Up to 50% of total eligible project costs.
Budget conditions / limitations: Up to EUR 125,000 in EIT Health funding per awarded project, with up to EUR 70,000 available in 2027 and up to EUR 55,000 in 2028. The consortium must provide the remaining 50% of the total project costs from non-EIT Health/KIC sources. Up to one project may be awarded, subject to proposal quality.
Payments: Funding follows a cost-reporting model, with two payments per year of operation. A pre-financing payment of up to 25% of the annual EIT financial support allocation may be paid within three months following signature of all contracts and project kick-off. The annual balance payment is released within three months of the cost reporting, cost check or audit and, at the latest, by September of the following year, subject to the outcome of the performance assessment.
Links
Closes
02/11/2026
Max funding per project
125.000€