Become the driving force behind healthcare innovation in your country.
EIT Health is looking for ambitious organisations to become Country Representatives in selected EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries for 2027–2028. As EIT Health’s national representative, you’ll play a central role in shaping the future of healthcare innovation by connecting the people, organisations and ideas that drive meaningful change.
Working across academia, research, healthcare, industry, start-ups, investors and public authorities, you’ll strengthen your country’s health innovation ecosystem and create new opportunities for collaboration through EIT Health’s innovation, education and business creation programmes.
As a Country Representative, you’ll identify and support promising innovators and entrepreneurs, build regional innovation capacity, promote EIT Health funding and programme opportunities, and help local organisations connect with one of Europe’s leading health innovation networks. You’ll also work closely with national and regional stakeholders to foster strategic partnerships, align with regional innovation priorities, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.
If your organisation has a strong regional network, proven experience in innovation ecosystem development, entrepreneurship support, technology transfer or healthcare innovation, and the ambition to make a lasting impact, this is your opportunity to become part of Europe’s largest health innovation community.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to registered legal entities established in one of the eligible countries:
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Estonia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Malta
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Turkey
Applicants may apply as a:
- Single organisation
- National consortium
Consortia should represent at least two sides of the Knowledge Triangle (education, research and industry) and all partners must be established in the same eligible country.
Suitable applicants include organisations with demonstrated experience in:
- Healthcare innovation ecosystem development
- Innovation support and entrepreneurship
- Start-up acceleration and incubation
- Technology transfer
- Research and higher education
- Business support
- Stakeholder engagement and regional innovation collaboration
Applicants should also demonstrate strong links with national innovation stakeholders.
Funding
- Total call budget: up to €1,274,500
- Maximum funding per project: €182,000
- Up to 7 EIT Health Country Representatives will be selected
- EIT Health funding covers up to 60% of total eligible project costs. Applicants must provide the remaining 40% co-funding from non-EIT Health sources.
What We Fund
Projects should deliver activities that strengthen national healthcare innovation ecosystems, including:
- Ecosystem mapping and stakeholder engagement
- Community building and networking events
- Promotion of EIT Health opportunities
- Support for applicants to EIT Health programmes
- Innovation pipeline and venture development
- Collaboration with public authorities and strategic partners
- Communication and outreach activities
- Sustainability planning and ecosystem development
Expected Outcomes
EIT Health Country Representatives are expected to:
- Strengthen healthcare innovation ecosystems in their country
- Increase participation in EIT Health Innovation, Education and Business Creation programmes
- Identify and support promising innovators and start-ups
- Organise ecosystem-building events and information sessions
- Establish strategic partnerships across the healthcare innovation ecosystem
- Facilitate collaboration across academia, research, healthcare, industry and public authorities
- Contribute to EIT Health and EIT Key Performance Indicators
- Develop sustainable regional innovation ecosystems beyond the funding period
Key Dates
- Call opens: 2 September 2026
- Application deadline: 02 November 2026 (16:00 CET)
- Eligibility notification: 06 November 2026
- Hearings: 16–20 November 2026
- Final results: 2 December 2026
- Project start: 1 January 2027
- Information Webinar: 9 September 2026 – Register here
Where to find out more
Click here for the official call document and supporting documents
Call Updates:
How to apply
- Step 1: Register your organisation in the EU Funding & tender opportunities portal to obtain the nine-digit Participant Identification Code (PIC number). If you do not know if your organisation already has a PIC number, you can verify directly on the EU Portal whether your organisation is already registered.
- Step 2: Apply to the call via EIT Health’s application platform. Click on the “Apply” button below.