GENERAL QUESTIONS

ELIGIBILITY

1..Are there any restrictions regarding the number of projects an entity can apply together with other partners?

There are no restrictions on the number of projects an entity can apply with.

2. There has been a development regarding the UK´s association to the Horizon Europe programme. Does this change UK entities´ eligibility to receive funding from EIT Health in the DTVB Programme Call?

Yes, UK entities will now be eligible to directly receive EIT funding, if selected as a part of a granted project consortia and will be treated as all other participants from Horizon Europe participating and associated countries. UK entities selected as part of prior calls for proposals (2023 and prior) will continue to be covered by the local UK reimbursement scheme. Further information on this topic can be found on the UK Research and Innovation website or by reaching out to the EIT Health Ireland-UK Co-location Centre.

3. Are entities based in Switzerland eligible to receive EIT funding following a successful application to the DTVB Programme Call?

Switzerland is currently not an associated country of the Horizon Europe programme. As such, Swiss entities are not directly eligible to receive EIT funding, when part of a selected project consortia. Entities can receive up to €60,000 in EIT funding within the EIT Health Business Plan 2023-2025. However, for funding above €60,000 organisations need to refer to the Swiss national reimbursement scheme. In the current non-associated third country mode, researchers and innovators in Switzerland are funded directly by the Swiss Confederation if the complete project proposal has been positively evaluated. Further information is available on the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) of Switzerland or by reaching out to the EIT Health Germany-Switzerland Co-location Centre.

4. Can a Swiss Small or Micro Enterprise (SME / start-up) apply to Phase 2 of the DTVB programme?

Yes, Swiss start-ups or small and micro enterprises (SMEs) are eligible to apply.

However, the ability for EIT Health to directly fund Swiss entities relies on an association agreement between Switzerland and the EU being initiated. Current guidance from the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) states:

“If, at the time of signing the grant agreement with the EC [European Commission]:

• an association agreement is in force, funding for the participation of the Swiss project partners is provided by the EC (status of ‘beneficiary’ remains).
• no association agreement is in force, funding is provided by the Swiss government (status changes from ‘beneficiary’ to ‘associated partner’). The contribution requested in the project proposal will be relevant for the funding.”

This means that EIT Health will only be able to directly fund Swiss entities above 60,000 EUR, such as small and micro enterprises (SME’s) and other commercialising entities, if SERI and the EC sign the respective agreements before EIT Health make the final selection for funding.

In the event that no such agreement is reached between the EC and SERI by time EIT Health makes the final selection for funding, then the Swiss entity and EIT Health will not be able to sign the different contracts associated with direct funding from EIT Health. This means that EIT Health will not be able to support Swiss commercialising entities above 60,000 EUR. Therefore, in such cases the whole project will not be able to get EIT Health funding.

This is because the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland (SERI) would provide funding directly to the Swiss Small or Micro Enterprise. Because EIT Health will not directly fund the Swiss Small or Micro Enterprise, it cannot sign any of the required agreements associated with EIT Health direct funding.

Projects may still involve a Swiss entity, as long it is a partner organisation and not the Small or Medium Enterprise that is commercialising the innovation or technology. Please see full details in the call document or reach out to the EIT Health Germany-Switzerland Hub for support.

Further information is available on the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) of Switzerland or by reaching out to the EIT Health Germany-Switzerland Co-location Centre.

5. Are all Hungarian entities eligible to receive EIT funding following a successful application to the DTVB Programme Call?

Due to a decision by the Council of the European Union, published on and effective as of 15 December 2022, certain Hungarian institutions designated as “public trust foundations” are currently not eligible to receive funding under the Horizon Europe and Erasmus programmes. These Hungarian entities can still participate without receiving EIT funding, as an Associated partner, if allowed by the call conditions. Further information can be found on the EU Commission Funding and Tenders FAQ website. EU Commission Funding and Tenders FAQ website.

6. Do team members need to be residents in a EU member state?

The individuals’ residency is not relevant. Relevant for eligibility is the applicant entities’ legal residency in EU member states or in an Horizon Europe associated country.

7. Are newly created startups eligible for this call?

No, startups that are already incorporated are not eligible for this call.

8. What is considered a Venture Builder for this call?

Organisations we consider as a Venture Builder includes organisations that specialise in creating and launching new businesses. Venture Builders use their own resources and networks to develop an idea into a product and create startups. Venture Builders are involved in the entire process from ideation, validation, and creation, to scaling and exit, providing a comprehensive approach to turn business concepts into independent companies.

9. Can a VC act as the Venture Builder?

If the VC is fitting the description and functions described in the answer provided in question eight above, then yes it can be considered Venture Builder.

10. Can a healthcare organisation acting as the third partner in Phase 2 of the DTVB programme be from outside the EU?

The DTVB programme is funded by Horizon Europe funding, and therefore follows the rules and guidelines for eligible countries set by Horizon Europe – list-3rd-country-participation_horizon-euratom_en.pdf.  Partners added to the consortium in Phase 2 of the programme should reside in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country. Participants from other countries are not automatically eligible for funding and usually have to participate at their own cost. They can however receive exceptional funding if duly justfied and in line with the rules and guidance set out by Horizon Europe.

11. Does the Venture Builder need to come from Europe? 

Not necessarily as the venture Builder will not be directly funded by EIT Health. But it is important that the Venture Builder has knowledge of the ecosystem to support the team. Costs incurred by the Venture Builder, such as human resources for the mentoring hours can be claimed towards the co-funding required (30%).

12. Is a venture builder eligible for funding directly from EIT Health for either Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the programme?

No. The Phase 1 funding is to be received by the academic or research institution, and the Phase 2 funding is to be received by the newly incorporated start up. The Venture Builder is not getting funding directly from EIT Health. However, costs incurred by the Venture Builder can be claimed against the 30% co-funding rate.

MEMBERSHIP / CONSORTIUM

ELIGIBILITY

13. Can a project application be made with non-members of the EIT Health partnership?

Yes. A consortium can be composed only of non-members of the EIT Health partnership.

14. For the evaluation process, does it make any difference if the application is submitted by an applicant outside of the EIT Health community?

The evaluation process is the same for all applications, regardless of whether they are members from within or outside the EIT Health community. There are eligibility rules on the overall consortium at proposal submission stage.

15. Can an academic or research institution apply both as an academic institution and a venture builder?

This is possible, However, if the same entity is acting as an academic / research institution and venture builder, costs related to the Venture Builder’s mentoring activities cannot be claimed for reimbursement. They can however be part of the overall budget and be claimed against the 30% co-funding requirements.

16. The asset (IP) for our project sits across two academic or research institutions. Can we have two academic or research institutions on our application?

If the asset (IP) of the project is shared by both entities, both entities can be beneficiaries at Phase 1.

17. In how many consortiums is one Venture Builder eligible to participate in?

There is no limit in terms of number of consortiums that the venture builder can participate in.

18. Does EIT Health facilitate connections with Venture Builders?

EIT Health Co-location Centres can help with local connections. Additionally, EIT Health has organised a match-making event where potential applicants can form connections with Venture Builders, healthcare organizations, academic and research organizations. For more information about the Match-Making event please visit: Deep Tech Venture Builder Programme Matchmaking – EIT Health

CALL BUDGET

GENERAL QUESTIONS

19. When are budgets presented for the projects and in what form?

The section of the call “Conditions to get funding” specifies the budgets to be presented in the application platform before the call closing on 16 December 2024 for Phase 1. The budget for Phase 2 should be submitted by 14 July 2025, during Gate 2.

20. Will projects have indirect costs? If so, what percentage?

Yes, the same percentage as in Horizon Europe – 25%.

21. Where can information be found regarding eligible costs?

We follow Horizon Europe cost eligibility rules for all our programmes and activities. The Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AMGA) is the backbone of all Horizon Europe grant agreements.

Article 6 – Eligible and ineligible costs and contributions of the AMGA provides a description of eligible costs. In order to be eligible, costs must be:

• incurred by the beneficiary;
• incurred in the duration of the action;
• fit a costs category;
• connected to the action, and necessary for its implementation;
• identifiable and verifiable; and,
• reasonable and justified.

Visit: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/aga_en.pdf to download the AMGA, which provides the description of eligible costs for Horizon Europe projects.

22. What type of co-investor(s) are required for the co-investment needed for start-ups to be evaluated at Gate 2 and possibly selected for Phase 2?

A co-investor is defined as a professional or institution investor that invests against equity or future equity (SAFEs or convertable notes).

23. How does this call define a Venture Builder?

As defined in the Call Document, Venture Builders are involved in the entire process from ideation, validation, and creation, to scaling and exit. Venture Builders provide a comprehensive approach to turn business concepts into independent companies.

DTVB PROGRAMME PHASES RELATED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

24. What definition of Digital Health and MedTech does this call use?

For the purposes of this call EIT Health will follow the MedTech Europe definition of MedTech which states:

“Medical technologies are products, services or solutions used to save and improve people’s lives”.[1]

For a definition of Digital Health, this call will follow the European Commission definition that states:

“Digital health and care refers to tools and services that use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management of health-related issues and to monitor and manage lifestyle-habits that impact health.” [2]

25. When should projects start in Phase 1 and Phase 2?

Work will start one month after selection notification, (allowing for a one month stand still period). However, costs for work carried out from 1 March 2025 are eligible as part of the grant award. Work must be completed by 31 December 2025. There will be no extension possibility.

26. Can teams apply to just Phase 2 of the programme as a start-up?

No. The DTVB programme is designed as a process and journey for teams that have not yet incorporated as start-ups.

TRAINING MODULES

27. How much time do the training modules require?

On average, in each of the DTVB Programme phases, teams will devote approximately 5 hours per week to the EIT Health Academy training.

28. Does the training need to be completed by all team members individually?

Training can be distributed among team members as they see fit. Not all team members need to undergo all modules. What is relevant is that at least two members of the team must complete all the training modules between them.

CO-INVESTMENT

29. Is the Venture Builder obliged to co-invest from the beginning of the programme?

The programme requires a Letter of Intent (LOI) from the Venture Builder to express their commitment to co-invest or commits to find alternative co-investor at the end of Phase 1 of the DTVB Programme.

REPORTING

30. How is the reporting done by the teams and startups?

Reporting will be done in the EIT Health platform specified in due time at the end of each of the programme phases.

31. Is the third partner required to report Phase 2 costs directly to EIT Health?

Yes, the third partner is required at Phase 2 of the DTVB programme to report costs to EIT Health directly in the pertinent platform: Guidance and support will be provided closer to the time.

32. Does the Venture Builder report on activities?

Yes, the Venture Builder will need to report activities on the EIT Health platform. The services and mentoring hours provided by the Venture Builder to the teams can be reported as costs and can count towards the co-funding required.

REIMBURSEMENT RATE

33. Regarding co-funding, can funds come from other grants, or does it need to be from private investment?

Co-funding can come from different sources, private funding, own resources and other grants. However, additional EU funding is not allowed in terms of co-funding for a given cost within the same activity. This is known as double funding and is not permitted. EIT Health expect applicants to ensure that they are compliant with the relevant funding and audit requirements.

In any case, 30% own co-funding is mandatory in each of the DTVB Programme phases.

34. How can we have synergies with other EU funding without falling in the double funding trap?

If the funding is not supporting the same cost of the project, it will not be considered as double funding.

35. Are co-funding percentages (own resources and other non-EIT programmes) applied per project or per Partner?

Co-funding percentages are applied per project and not by partner.

CHANGE LOG

[1] What is Medical Technology? – MedTech Europe – https://www.medtecheurope.org/about-the-industry/what-is-medical-technology/

[2] Overview – European Commission (europa.eu) – https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/overview_en#:~:text=Digital%20health%20and%20care%20refers,lifestyle%2Dhabits%20that%20impact%20health.