# Transformative Healthcare Instrument

**Funder:** EIT Health
**Budget:** €300k–€500k
**Deadline:** 16 September 2026
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant company; single SME applicant, no partner organisation required
**Application:** Single stage
**TRL:** 5-7
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://eithealth.eu/opportunity/transformative-healthcare-instrument/
**Last updated:** 13 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for private SMEs (min. 4 FTE) in biotech, medtech, digital health, AI, biomarkers or diagnostics that have closed at least €2M equity investment within the previous 36 months. Requires minimum Innovation Maturity Level depending on sector (IML 5-7); EIT Health funds max 50% of costs, remainder must be co-funded by the company.

## Summary

The Transformative Healthcare Instrument funds European SMEs to develop biotech, medtech, digital health, and diagnostic innovations addressing unmet clinical needs, with grants of €300,000-€500,000 covering up to 50% of total project costs. Eligible SMEs must have at least 4 FTE employees and €2 million in equity investment closed in the prior 36 months; applicants must secure 50% co-funding. This is a single-stage, non-consortium call from EIT Health with a deadline of 16 September 2026.

## Who should apply

- European SMEs with ≥4 FTE employees and ≥€2M equity investment closed in prior 36 months
- Biotech projects at IML≥5 technology readiness
- Medtech innovations at IML≥6 readiness or higher
- Digital health and AI solutions at IML≥7 readiness
- Biomarker and diagnostic tools at IML≥7 readiness

## Key dates

- Application deadline: 16 September 2026
- Application platform opens: 15 July 2026
- Single-stage evaluation

## Tips for applicants

- EIT Health requires matching co-funding of 50% of total project costs; secure committed funding partners before submission.
- Technology maturity is gated by scope: medtech and biomarkers must be at IML≥6-7; earlier-stage projects should route to different EIT Health calls.
- Align your unmet clinical need narrative to a clear European patient or healthcare system pain point; EIT Health panels prioritise clinical impact over technical novelty alone.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I receive from the EIT Health Transformative Healthcare Instrument?

Up to €500,000, covering a maximum of 50% of your total project costs; you must secure 50% co-funding from your own resources or partners.

### Who is eligible for this EIT Health call?

European SMEs with at least 4 FTE employees and at least €2 million in equity investment closed within the 36 months prior to the deadline.

### What technology maturity level do I need?

Biotech projects require IML≥5; medtech requires IML≥6; digital health, AI, biomarkers, and diagnostics require IML≥7.

### Is co-funding required for the Transformative Healthcare Instrument?

Yes, you must secure 50% co-funding; EIT Health covers the other 50% up to the stated maximum.

### Can multi-country consortiums apply?

No, this is a single-applicant (non-consortium) call; the SME must be European and meet the FTE and equity criteria alone.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/eit-health-transformative-healthcare-instrument-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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