Up to €1 Million for Digital Health Innovation – UNITE Open Call 2

The UNITE Digital Health Open Call 2 is offering up to €1 million in grant funding per project to support innovative healthcare technologies developed through international partnerships.

The programme has a total funding allocation of €6 million, with individual organisations eligible to receive up to €600,000, subject to programme rules.

Co-funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, UNITE aims to strengthen digital healthcare innovation, improve access to health services and tackle workforce challenges across Europe.

The competition welcomes eligible businesses, startups, research organisations and healthcare providers from participating European regions, including Scotland and Wales.

Applications are currently open and close on 10 December 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Here's what you can expect:

• Up to €1 million in grant funding per collaborative project

• Up to €600,000 per participating organisation

• A total funding budget of €6 million

• Up to six projects expected to receive support

• Funding for 18-month innovation projects

• Support for developing and testing digital health technologies

• Opportunities to collaborate with European research organisations

• Access to healthcare providers and real-world testing environments

• International networking and matchmaking opportunities

• Support for developing cross-border innovation partnerships

What projects can be funded?

The programme focuses on two major challenges affecting European healthcare systems.

1. Deep-Tech Innovations for Equal Access to Healthcare

Projects developing technologies that improve healthcare access and outcomes for different population groups.

Examples include:

• Personalised digital healthcare solutions

• Technologies supporting older people

• Digital tools for disadvantaged communities

• Solutions improving patient independence

• Technologies connecting fragmented healthcare services

• Innovative approaches to improving health equity

Projects should demonstrate how their technology can improve healthcare accessibility, personalisation or coordination.

2. Digital Solutions to Address Healthcare Workforce Shortages

Projects developing technologies that help healthcare organisations respond to workforce pressures.

Examples include:

• Healthcare automation

• Digital tools reducing administrative workloads

• Technologies improving clinical workflows

• Workforce planning and management solutions

• Digital training platforms

• Healthcare staff upskilling technologies

• Solutions improving operational efficiency

Projects should demonstrate how their innovation can improve workforce capacity, productivity or access to essential healthcare services.

Who can apply?

The programme welcomes eligible organisations involved in digital health innovation, including:

• Startups

• Small and medium-sized enterprises

• Established technology companies

• Research institutions

• Universities

• Hospitals

• Healthcare providers

• Innovation clusters

• Living labs

• Testing and demonstration facilities

• Other relevant innovation organisations

Geographic eligibility

Applicants must be legally established in one of the following participating regions:

United Kingdom

• Scotland

• Wales

Greece

• Central Macedonia

Italy

• Lombardy

Spain

• Extremadura

• Aragón

Romania

• Nationwide

Important: Organisations based solely in England or Northern Ireland are not eligible under the published regional requirements.

Consortium requirements

Applications must be submitted by international partnerships.

Each consortium must include:

• At least three organisations

• Organisations from at least three different participating regions

• At least one company or other organisation developing a market-ready solution

• At least one research organisation

• At least one end-user organisation that will test or demonstrate the technology

Partnerships must also include:

• At least one organisation from Scotland or Wales

• At least one organisation from Central Macedonia, Romania, Lombardy, Extremadura or Aragón

Individual organisations cannot apply independently.

What types of organisations can form a consortium?

A suitable partnership could include:

Technology Developer

A startup or company developing an innovative digital health solution.

Research Partner

A university or research organisation supporting technical development, testing or evaluation.

Healthcare End User

A hospital, healthcare provider, living lab or other organisation demonstrating the technology in a real-world environment.

The consortium must meet all applicable geographic and organisational requirements.

How much funding is available?

Total Competition Funding: €6 Million

Maximum Grant per Project: €1 Million

Maximum Funding per Organisation: €600,000

Expected Number of Funded Projects: Up to Six

Project Duration: 18 Months

The €600,000 beneficiary limit applies across UNITE open calls, rather than separately to each funding round.

The amount awarded to each organisation depends on its role, eligible costs and the applicable funding rules.

What additional support is available?

Beyond financial assistance, UNITE provides opportunities for:

• International partnership development

• Matchmaking with European organisations

• Networking events

• Collaboration with research institutions

• Access to healthcare innovation ecosystems

• Support with developing cross-border project proposals

• Knowledge sharing between participating regions

Applicants can use the UNITE Matchmaking Platform to identify suitable project partners.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review the Funding Guidelines

Applicants should download and read:

• The UNITE Call Document

• The UNITE Specific Call 2 Document

These documents explain the detailed eligibility, assessment and financial requirements.

Step 2 – Form an Eligible Consortium

Applicants must establish a partnership involving at least three organisations from three different participating regions.

The consortium must include a technology developer, research partner and end-user organisation.

Step 3 – Develop the Project Proposal

Partners should prepare a joint proposal explaining:

• The healthcare challenge being addressed

• The proposed digital health innovation

• The technology's expected impact

• The roles of participating organisations

• How the solution will be developed and tested

• The proposed project budget

• Expected outcomes and opportunities for scaling

Step 4 – Register on the UNITE Cloud

Applications must be prepared and submitted through the official UNITE Cloud platform.

Step 5 – Submit Before the Deadline

The consortium must submit its completed proposal before the competition closes.

Key dates

Applications Opened: 10 September 2026

Application Deadline: 10 December 2026