Are you ready to design and launch a local capacity-building programme to strengthen your health and life science innovation ecosystem?
EIT Health DRIVE is here to empower your organisation to boost healthcare innovation locally, build national and international connections, and create meaningful, lasting change in your region.
Through expert-led workshops, collaborative team activities, inspiring study visits, and valuable networking opportunities, DRIVE equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and connections they need to drive transformation. The programme welcomes both single organisations and consortia of two organisations from the same innovation ecosystem.
Upon completing the training, participants will have the opportunity to apply for mentorship and up to 25,000 EUR in co-funding (50% co-funding rate) to implement the capacity-building programmes they design during the DRIVE training.
Ready to become the change agent your region needs? Apply by 15 June 2025!
Develop a tailor-made plan for the implementation of a valuable health or life science-oriented capacity-building programme in your region
Gain access to the unique methodology co-created with TU Delft, one of the world’s top technology universities and EIT Health Innostars, the largest health innovation network of CESEE
Get inspired by European entrepreneurship ecosystems during on-site study visits
Be part of a valuable network of regional leaders dedicated to innovation-driven entrepreneurship
Apply for 50% co-funding, up to 25,000 EUR, and mentoring to implement the programme you designed within EIT Health DRIVE 2025 framework
The EIT Health DRIVE training programme lasts 12 weeks, between 8 September and 26 November 2025, and consists of a mix of on-site and online training sessions and individual and teamwork.
8 – 12 September, Delft, Netherlands
Learn about the DRIVE methodology, visit one of the world’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystems and define your ambition for your region
6 – 8 October, Bristol, UK
Take a deep dive into the UK innovation ecosystem, explore best practices from accelerators and university innovation centres, network and equip yourself with knowledge on building innovation clusters
24 – 26 November, Budapest, Hungary
Explore different funding models for your organisation, and with expert support, create your action plan for the capacity-building programme
Following the training, participants can apply for mentorship and co-funding to realise their action plans. The 5 most promising capacity-building programme designs will receive up to 25,000 EUR in co-funding (50% co-funding rate) to put their plans into action in 2026.
The second phase is conditional upon the approval of the EIT Health Business Plan for 2026–2028.
The programme is open to single organisations or consortia of 2 organisations coming from the same innovation ecosystem that:
Organisations that are currently EIT Health RIS Hub or partner or the affiliated entity of an EIT Health RIS Hub or EIT Health Partner are not eligible. The applicant has to be a legal entity located in one of the RIS-eligible countries.
For more information, please read the Call Document attached to the application form.
Programme Participation Fee:
The participation fee for the EIT Health DRIVE training programme is 20,000 EUR per team. However, in 2025, selected organisations will benefit from partial funding support provided by EIT Health InnoStars, reducing their financial contribution.
The travel and accommodation costs shall be covered by the participating organisations.
Second Phase: Co-Funding: Up to 25,000 EUR (50% co-funding rate) available for the implementation of the 5 best programme designs.
The main challenge that we are facing all the time in our innovation ecosystem is how to connect scientists and research and development with business and industry. The EIT Health DRIVE programme gave us the support to understand the needs of our ecosystem and to do our best in communicating, collaborating, and pushing our innovation ecosystem forward.
Jana Blazevic Marcelja, Deputy CEO at Science and Technology Park Rijeka
When hearing about the credibility of the EIT Health network and the opportunities that we can bring, the universities and technology transfer centres and private tech companies suddenly became more interested than before, in working with us.
Cristina Baghiu, Co-founder & European Digital Innovation Hub Coordinator of the Digital Innovation Zone EDIH
Want to learn more about the programme? Join our info session on 22 May 2025 at 12 PM CET, where you can ask all your questions.
Click on “Apply now” to complete the application form for the DRIVE training programme on Wufoo. Make sure to submit your application by 15 June 2025!
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