International collaboration in health

The challenges we face in the health sector are global and international cooperation is a prerequisite for solving them. As an active member of the sector, there are many opportunities for collaboration and funding. You can get help and support to apply for any of the offers we list here.

This web page has been machine translated. If there are any uncertainties, please refer to the Swedish text.

Apply for international funding

Mission info-days Events

The research and innovation community platform - 20 and 21 Jan 2026

Innovative Health Initiative call for proposals 12

Promote innovation in healthcare. Last application date April 21, 2026

Information

More funding opportunities

Recordings from meetings

Information meeting about EU mission Cancer 29 April

Cluster 1 Health- Networking event May 5-6

Information meeting about open calls for proposals Horisont Europa cluster 1 health May 22.

EU Mission Cancer- Networking meeting and matching event 26-27 May

European collaborations in health

There are a multitude of international programme for health. Vinnova, together with the Swedish Research Council, Forte, the Public Health Agency and the Swedish Digital Governance Agency, can guide you to 6 European programme, which in turn often contain several sub-programs. The programs are explained below.

If you would like more guidance, you can get help from us and the following agencies:

EU-SME support office
Research service or innovation office at your university or organisations
Direct contact with the responsible programme manager for the programmes. Contact person can be found in the information about the programmes. The responsible public authority is
- Vinnova, the Swedish Research Council and Forte (Horisont Europa)
- Public Health Agency (EU4Health)
- Digital Governance Agency (DIGITAL)

Så här går det till

Vinnova has a government assignment to contribute to the development of strategic relationships and long-term promotion of innovation together with prioritized countries.

Vinnova has a government assignment to contribute to the development of strategic relationships and long-term promotion of innovation together with prioritized countries.

The activities will develop and facilitate cooperation within the framework of, for example, Sweden's international agreements and partnerships. See below for current calls for proposals in health:
Improve your project proposal for proposal in Horisont Europa
Contact:Bianca Dochtorowicz bianca.dochtorowicz@vinnova.se

The activities will develop and facilitate cooperation within the framework of, for example, Sweden's international agreements and partnerships. See below for current calls for proposals in health:
Improve your project proposal for proposal in Horisont Europa
Contact:Bianca Dochtorowicz bianca.dochtorowicz@vinnova.se
Cluster 1 health within Horisont Europa has a budget of approximately EUR 8 billion, which is distributed over 2-year work programs over 7 years. Cluster 1 health finances research and innovation that leads to better knowledge, maintained health and treatment of diseases in an equitable manner throughout Europe. Within the framework of Cluster 1 Health's budget, cancer mission and European R&I partnerships are also included, see the respective headings below.

Cluster 1 health within Horisont Europa has a budget of approximately EUR 8 billion, which is distributed over 2-year work programs over 7 years. Cluster 1 health finances research and innovation that leads to better knowledge, maintained health and treatment of diseases in an equitable manner throughout Europe. Within the framework of Cluster 1 Health's budget, cancer mission and European R&I partnerships are also included, see the respective headings below.

An important objective for the cluster is to maintain an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health industry. The cluster includes integrated, person-centered and equitable health and care. In addition, the cluster strives for a sustainable digital transformation of European health and care systems, secure and ethical data management and reliable supply chains, but also health promotion and prevention efforts.
Structure map for HEU
Vinnova's website for Horisont Europa
Open and upcoming calls for proposals
Here you will find the work program 2023-2024:
Horizon Europe work programs (europa.eu)
Contact
For questions about the application process and the range of calls for proposals contact the National Contact Point (NCP) for Horisont Europa Kluster 1 Health nadine.schweizer@vinnova.se
For questions regarding national processes for admission of applications to Cluster 1, contact Expert Kluster 1 Healthmalin.eklund@vinnova.se

An important objective for the cluster is to maintain an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health industry. The cluster includes integrated, person-centered and equitable health and care. In addition, the cluster strives for a sustainable digital transformation of European health and care systems, secure and ethical data management and reliable supply chains, but also health promotion and prevention efforts.
Structure map for HEU
Vinnova's website for Horisont Europa
Open and upcoming calls for proposals
Here you will find the work program 2023-2024:
Horizon Europe work programs (europa.eu)
Contact
For questions about the application process and the range of calls for proposals contact the National Contact Point (NCP) for Horisont Europa Kluster 1 Health nadine.schweizer@vinnova.se
For questions regarding national processes for admission of applications to Cluster 1, contact Expert Kluster 1 Healthmalin.eklund@vinnova.se
Missions is a new effort within Horisont Europa and can be described as strategically targeted research and innovation initiatives that aim to focus resources, both human and financial, around a few selected societal challenges that require innovative solutions.

Missions is a new effort within Horisont Europa and can be described as strategically targeted research and innovation initiatives that aim to focus resources, both human and financial, around a few selected societal challenges that require innovative solutions.

Read more about the EU's five mission areas on Vinnova's website
In health a mission for cancer is being worked on with the goal of saving three million lives and living longer in health. A mission board on cancer has developed recommendations and priorities to be implemented through, among other things, 2-year work programs.
Here is the work program 2023-2024
Horizon Europe work programmes (europa.eu)
Contact
For questions regarding the application process and range of calls for proposals contact the National Contact Point (NCP) for Horisont Europa EU Missions.
jonathan.nylander@vinnova.se
For questions about national processes for taking input, contact EU Mission Cancer caroline.ekstrand@vinnova.se
Information about the National Board of Health and Welfare's work on coordinating the EU's Beating Cancer Plan

Read more about the EU's five mission areas on Vinnova's website
In health a mission for cancer is being worked on with the goal of saving three million lives and living longer in health. A mission board on cancer has developed recommendations and priorities to be implemented through, among other things, 2-year work programs.
Here is the work program 2023-2024
Horizon Europe work programmes (europa.eu)
Contact
For questions regarding the application process and range of calls for proposals contact the National Contact Point (NCP) for Horisont Europa EU Missions.
jonathan.nylander@vinnova.se
For questions about national processes for taking input, contact EU Mission Cancer caroline.ekstrand@vinnova.se
Information about the National Board of Health and Welfare's work on coordinating the EU's Beating Cancer Plan
Within the framework of Horisont Europa, cluster 1 health a number of Europeiska FoI partnerships are also included. The Europeiska FoI partnerships are a collaboration between member states, third countries and the European Commission. Each partnership runs for 7 years, is estimated to have a total budget of more than 300 million euros and has annual calls for proposals.
Within the framework of Horisont Europa, cluster 1 health a number of Europeiska FoI partnerships are also included. The Europeiska FoI partnerships are a collaboration between member states, third countries and the European Commission. Each partnership runs for 7 years, is estimated to have a total budget of more than 300 million euros and has annual calls for proposals.
Those listed below are so-called public-public partnerships between the European Commission, member states, associated countries and third countries. The partnerships build on previous initiatives. There are also other Europeiska FoI partnerships such as the EU-Africa Global Partnership where SIDA participates and Innovative Health Inititative, see separate heading. In addition to these, we also have Eurostars. More information about Eurostars on Vinnova's website.
There are six so-called co-financed partnerships that build on previous initiatives.
Transforming Health and Care Systems Partnership
European Partnership for Personalised Medicine ERDERA (new fall 2024)
European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ends 2024)
European Partnership - ERA for Health Research
European Partnership for One Health/AMR Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness
Vinnova finances Swedish participation in the calls for proposals together with the Swedish Research Council, Forte and Sida. The financing is based on each agency's own mandate and regulations.
More information about the partnerships can be found on the Commission website
Contact
malin.eklund@vinnova.se
anna-carin.christoffersson@vinnova.se
Those listed below are so-called public-public partnerships between the European Commission, member states, associated countries and third countries. The partnerships build on previous initiatives. There are also other Europeiska FoI partnerships such as the EU-Africa Global Partnership where SIDA participates and Innovative Health Inititative, see separate heading. In addition to these, we also have Eurostars. More information about Eurostars on Vinnova's website.
There are six so-called co-financed partnerships that build on previous initiatives.
- Transforming Health and Care Systems Partnership
- European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ends 2024)
- European Partnership - ERA for Health Research
- European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness
Vinnova finances Swedish participation in the calls for proposals together with the Swedish Research Council, Forte and Sida. The financing is based on each agency's own mandate and regulations.
More information about the partnerships can be found on the Commission website
Contact
malin.eklund@vinnova.se
anna-carin.christoffersson@vinnova.se
IHI is an Private-Public partnership between the EU and the industry associations representing the sectors involved in healthcare, namely COCIR (medical imaging, radiotherapy, ICT and electromedical companies); Efpia, including Vaccin Europa (pharmaceutical and vaccine companies); EuropaBio (biotechnology companies); and MedTech Europe (medical technology companies).

IHI is an Private-Public partnership between the EU and the industry associations representing the sectors involved in healthcare, namely COCIR (medical imaging, radiotherapy, ICT and electromedical companies); Efpia, including Vaccin Europa (pharmaceutical and vaccine companies); EuropaBio (biotechnology companies); and MedTech Europe (medical technology companies).

Strategy to integrate different sectors:
IHI's objective is to translate health research and health innovation into tangible benefits for patients and society and to ensure that Europe is at the forefront of interdisciplinary, sustainable, patient-centred health research. Health research and healthcare increasingly span different sectors.
By supporting project that bring these sectors together, IHI will pave the way for a more integrated approach to healthcare, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and disease management.
IHI has a total budget of €2.4 billion spanning 7 years and is jointly funded by the EU and industry associations representing Europe's life science industries.
It is important to create actor constellations early on, for example through the matching tools and events that the initiative organizes.
Innovative Health Initiative website
Upcoming calls for proposals
Subscribe to IHI newsletter for regular information
IHI Call Days (b2match.io)
Contact
Dobril Petkov: dobril.petkov@vinnova.se
Caroline Ekstrand: caroline.ekstrand@vinnova.se

Strategy to integrate different sectors:
IHI's objective is to translate health research and health innovation into tangible benefits for patients and society and to ensure that Europe is at the forefront of interdisciplinary, sustainable, patient-centred health research. Health research and healthcare increasingly span different sectors.
By supporting project that bring these sectors together, IHI will pave the way for a more integrated approach to healthcare, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and disease management.
IHI has a total budget of €2.4 billion spanning 7 years and is jointly funded by the EU and industry associations representing Europe's life science industries.
It is important to create actor constellations early on, for example through the matching tools and events that the initiative organizes.
Innovative Health Initiative website
Upcoming calls for proposals
Subscribe to IHI newsletter for regular information
IHI Call Days (b2match.io)
Contact
Dobril Petkov: dobril.petkov@vinnova.se
Caroline Ekstrand: caroline.ekstrand@vinnova.se
Funding the development, commercialization and scaling up of breakthrough innovation. The program also provides business development support to researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Funding the development, commercialization and scaling up of breakthrough innovation. The program also provides business development support to researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The program consists of three specializations
Pathfinder - support for research teams to research or develop groundbreaking technology.
Transition - funds promising research results to develop technology and business plans and become market-ready.
EIC Accelerator - funding for individual startups and small businesses to develop and scale groundbreaking innovations
European Innovation Council website
Contact
National contact person: josefin.vandermeer@vinnova.sealternatively julia.hellstrom@vinnova.se
The program consists of three specializations
- Pathfinder - support for research teams to research or develop groundbreaking technology.
- Transition - funds promising research results to develop technology and business plans and become market-ready.
- EIC Accelerator - funding for individual startups and small businesses to develop and scale groundbreaking innovations
European Innovation Council website
Contact
National contact person: josefin.vandermeer@vinnova.sealternatively julia.hellstrom@vinnova.se
The programme runs from 2021 to 2027 with a total budget of €7.6 billion. The aim is to build capacity and infrastructure within the EU to facilitate the broad use of digital technologies, including in the health sector, and to bring research results to the market.
The programme runs from 2021 to 2027 with a total budget of €7.6 billion. The aim is to build capacity and infrastructure within the EU to facilitate the broad use of digital technologies, including in the health sector, and to bring research results to the market.
The program finances project within five specific objective:
High-performance computing (HPC) systems
Artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity
Advanced digital skills
Ensuring broad use of digital technologies
The programme's own website The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) on the DIGG website The Work Programme for 2021-2022
Work programme 2023–2024 will be published in the fourth quarter of 2022
All open calls for proposals
Contact
For health-related calls for proposals it is possible to contact malin.eklund@vinnova.se. The National Contact Point (NCP) for the entire DIGITAL program is adrian.solitander@digg.se
The program finances project within five specific objective:
- High-performance computing (HPC) systems
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Advanced digital skills
- Ensuring broad use of digital technologies
The programme's own website The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) on the DIGG website The Work Programme for 2021-2022
Work programme 2023–2024 will be published in the fourth quarter of 2022
All open calls for proposals
Contact
For health-related calls for proposals it is possible to contact malin.eklund@vinnova.se. The National Contact Point (NCP) for the entire DIGITAL program is adrian.solitander@digg.se
The program aims to improve health, tackle common health challenges, improve medicine and medical equipment, and strengthen the healthcare system. The program runs until 2027 and has a budget of more than 830 million euros.
The program aims to improve health, tackle common health challenges, improve medicine and medical equipment, and strengthen the healthcare system. The program runs until 2027 and has a budget of more than 830 million euros.
The program is divided into four focus areas:
Emergency preparedness
promotional and preventive solutions
health system and skilled workforce
There are three different types of calls for proposals
Joint Actions is a direct grant that is primarily given to authorities or nationally-wide organisations in the member countries. The organisations that apply must have similar functions in the respective country.
Action grants are support for research and innovation projects.
Tenders are used when various services and goods are to be purchased as support for the health program. They are advertised primarily here but also through the EU's tender portal.
Program website
Funding by Action grants
Contact
National Contact Point (NCP) for EU4Health Pär Vikström par.vikstrom@folkhalsomyndigheten.se
The program is divided into four focus areas:
- Emergency preparedness
- promotional and preventive solutions
- health system and skilled workforce
There are three different types of calls for proposals
- Joint Actions is a direct grant that is primarily given to authorities or nationally-wide organisations in the member countries. The organisations that apply must have similar functions in the respective country.
- Action grants are support for research and innovation projects.
- Tenders are used when various services and goods are to be purchased as support for the health program. They are advertised primarily here but also through the EU's tender portal.
Program website
Funding by Action grants
Contact
National Contact Point (NCP) for EU4Health Pär Vikström par.vikstrom@folkhalsomyndigheten.se
EIT Health is one of eight Knowledge and Innovation Centres (KICs) within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body within the European Union under Horisont Europas Pillar III – Ett Innovativt Europa.

EIT Health is one of eight Knowledge and Innovation Centres (KICs) within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body within the European Union under Horisont Europas Pillar III – Ett Innovativt Europa.

EIT Health Scandinavia, based in Stockholm, is a so-called Co-Location Center (regional hub) for EIT Health, which is part of EIT Health of Innovation and Technology, a body within the European Union.
EIT Health is one of Europe's largest networks in life science innovation and health, and operates in three areas: entrepreneurship, education and health innovation. EIT Health is a collaboration between 130 partner organizations in industry, healthcare, research institutions, universities and the public sector. EIT Health's mission is to improve the quality of life for European citizens by promoting innovation in healthcare and providing education for the next generation of healthcare professionals. EIT Health Scandinavia has partners in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Estonia and was established in 2015.
Listen to the recording of the EIT info event
If you missed the information event in October, you can listen to the recordings including the one where EIT Health presents.
National EIT and KIC Info Event

More information and contact details
EIT's website
Kontakta EIT
National contact person Vinnova, Julia Hellström

EIT Health Scandinavia, based in Stockholm, is a so-called Co-Location Center (regional hub) for EIT Health, which is part of EIT Health of Innovation and Technology, a body within the European Union.
EIT Health is one of Europe's largest networks in life science innovation and health, and operates in three areas: entrepreneurship, education and health innovation. EIT Health is a collaboration between 130 partner organizations in industry, healthcare, research institutions, universities and the public sector. EIT Health's mission is to improve the quality of life for European citizens by promoting innovation in healthcare and providing education for the next generation of healthcare professionals. EIT Health Scandinavia has partners in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Estonia and was established in 2015.
Listen to the recording of the EIT info event
If you missed the information event in October, you can listen to the recordings including the one where EIT Health presents.
National EIT and KIC Info Event

More information and contact details
EIT's website
Kontakta EIT
National contact person Vinnova, Julia Hellström

Funding

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Last updated 23 January 2026

International collaboration in health

Apply for international funding

Mission info-days Events

Innovative Health Initiative call for proposals 12

Cancer Mission Work Program 2026–27

Upcoming calls for proposals 2026-2027 DIGITAL

Innovative Health Initiative upcoming calls for proposals

Information day cluster 1 health calls for proposals 2026

More funding opportunities

Recordings from meetings

European collaborations in health

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Bilateral collaborations

Horisont Europa cluster 1 health

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Cancer mission

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Europeiska Forskning and Innovation Partnership

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Innovative Health Initiative (Innovative Health Initiative IHI)

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European Innovation Council (European Innovation Council EIC)

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Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)

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EU4Health

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European Institute for Innovation and Technology in health (EIT Health)

Listen to the recording of the EIT info event

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Listen to the recording of the EIT info event

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