INNOVATIVE HEALTH INITIATIVE (IHI)
EU public-private partnership funding for health innovation
The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is a European public-private partnership supporting collaborative research and innovation projects in health. Established under Horizon Europe, IHI brings together the European Union and leading industry associations to accelerate the development of safe, effective and people-centred health solutions.
Key deadlines and updates in IHI
IHI calls for proposals: typically Jan and Jul 2026
EU IHI info days at call launch
Evaluation results: three months after submission
Grant Agreement signature typically six months after submission
Innovative Health Initiative
The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) funds large-scale, multinational projects that address unmet medical needs, improve healthcare systems and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in the life sciences sector. Spinverse’s experienced health domain experts support companies, research organisations and consortia in structuring competitive IHI proposals and managing complex health innovation projects.
IHI is a Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe that builds on the former Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). It expands the scope beyond pharmaceuticals to include the entire healthcare value chain. The programme aims to improve health outcomes for patients, accelerate innovation in medicines, medical technologies and digital health, support cross-sector collaboration, strengthen Europe’s life science ecosystem and increase industrial competitiveness and sustainability.
IHI projects are typically large, multi-partner collaborations involving academia, industry, SMEs, healthcare providers and patient organisations.
What does the he Innovative Health Initiative support?
The funding calls of IHI are topic-driven and aligned with strategic research agendas developed jointly by the EU and industry partners. Examples of areas that IHI supports:.
Innovative therapeutics and vaccines
Medical technologies and diagnostics
Digital health and data platforms
Personalised medicine
AI and data-driven health solutions
Real-world evidence and regulatory science
Health system integration and prevention
Who is eligible?
The funding available can range from €5 million up to €30 million. IHI funding is open to consortia which must include partners from multiple EU Member States or associated countries and typically combine public and private sector participants.
Funding type
Grant: typically, up to 50% for single-stage calls and 100% for two-stage calls
Eligible entities:
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
Medtech and diagnostics companies
Digital health companies
SMEs and start-ups
Universities and research institutes
Hospitals and healthcare providers
Patient
organisations
What evaluators really look for
This is where many IHI funding proposals fail. Evaluators assess projects based on Horizon Europe criteria:
Excellence: Scientific and technological quality.
Quality and efficiency of implementation: Strong consortium, clear governance and realistic work plan.
In addition, evaluators assess:
- Balance between public and private partners
- Patient involvement and societal relevance
- Clear exploitation and sustainability strategy
Strong project ideas lose points when:
- Industry engagement is weak
- Patient perspective is insufficient
- Regulatory or market pathway planning is limited
- Governance structures are too complex
Why Spinverse?
Our experts bring together their extensive health domain knowledge, EU funding expertise and consortium coordination experience to help you prepare your funding proposal. We support companies, research organisations and consortia in structuring competitive IHI proposals and managing complex health innovation projects:
IHI call analysis and strategic positioning as well as consortium building across Europe
Funding proposal preparation and coordination, impact narrative development
Budget structuring under Horizon Europe rules and Grant Agreement
Preparation (GAP) support of funded project
Project management and reporting of funded projects
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
End-to-end strategic project planning and grant management expertise
Our strategic planning process is well facilitated and comprehensive. Our experienced project managers ensure efficient coordination, well-defined innovation description and successful project execution. In addition to supporting your funding proposal preparation, Spinverse offers support in the Grant Agreement Preparation (GAP) and in project management of a successfully funded project.
We understand what evaluators look for and help translate large, complex projects into clear, credible and competitive funding proposals.
Talk to our expert
Get in touch to discuss whether the Innovation Health Initiative is the right instrument for your project and how we can support you in building a competitive funding proposal.
Panos Chronis
