IHI European HealthCare Incubator Network

Research and innovation activities advancing TRL 3–5 technologies in healthcare.

Access to infrastructure and specialized services (e.g. lab space, equipment, shared services).

Mentoring, training, regulatory navigation support.

Costs necessary for the development, validation, and maturation of new medical technologies and business models.

Expenses must be connected to the core R&D objectives; unrelated, ancillary, or previously EU-funded expenses are not eligible.

Scientific and technical excellence: Addressing unmet healthcare needs and contributing to the objectives of the IHI JU.

Innovation and differentiation: Quality of technology, clear regulatory strategy and pathway to market.

Team capabilities and investment readiness: Demonstrated potential to attract further public/private funding.

Compatibility and potential for industry collaboration: Ability to benefit from and contribute to the cross-sector incubator network.

For follow-on grants: Achievement of initial milestones and exceptional potential for acceleration.

Startups that have previously received FSTP funding under this action.

Startups currently receiving other EU funding for the same sub-project.

Technical and financial reporting required at milestone intervals, at least matching reporting standards of the main grant agreement.

Evidence of milestone achievements must be provided before disbursement of further funding.

Beneficiaries must maintain documentation (bank statements, financial records) to demonstrate the flow and use of FSTP funding.

Annual impact and lessons-learned reports are required, as well as participation in project-wide KPI dashboarding.

Open calls for proposals will be launched and widely published (including the EU Funding & Tenders portal) for a minimum of 2 months.

First call will be published within 6 months of project launch. Subsequent calls may be organized as needed.

Applicants must prepare proposals according to templates provided in the Horizon Europe Submission System for two-stage calls.

Evaluation follows transparent, competitive, and fair rules, involving independent expert committees and adherence to the stated eligibility and award criteria.

Completed proposal forms (including Part A and Part B according to template).

Compulsory annexes: Type of participants (stage 1), Budget and In-kind contribution declaration (stage 2, if relevant), Essential information for clinical studies (if applicable).

Description of the startup's Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3-5) and technological focus.

Evidence of legal entity, eligibility, and compliance with non-duplication of EU funding requirements.

Outline of planned R&D activities, timelines, and requested funding.