The latest funding opportunities and grants for innovation in healthcare.
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Featured funding opportunities
Horizon Europe 2026-2027: Health, Cluster 1
Deadline: various (inc. September 2026, April 2027, and September 2027.
The indicative amount of EU funding contributions for projects in this cluster is mostly between €1.5m and €10m. This can cover up to 100% of costs depending on the call. The European Commission has published all of the 2026-27 Horizon Europe Work Programmes, which list the funding opportunities under the 2026-27 call topics.
UK-Switzerland CR&D Round 3
Deadline: 03 September 2026, at 11:00am
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for innovative projects in specific technology areas. You must collaborate with at least one Swiss implementation partner applying under the equivalent Swiss Innosuisse programme.
Digital Catapult: Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026
Deadline: 06 September 2026, at 11:59pm
The Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator Programme 2026 is a nine-month programme that supports partnerships between UK technology SMEs and industry adopters to accelerate the adoption of digital twin technologies. Successful projects will receive up to £100,000 in Innovate UK grant funding, alongside technical expertise, mentoring and access to specialist facilities to help accelerate the development and deployment of their solutions.
EIT Health Innovation Uptake Call 2026
Deadline: 16 September 2026, at 3:00pm
EIT Health is calling for mature digital, data-driven and AI-powered healthcare solutions ready to scale across European markets: up to €650k per project. Maximum funding per project: €650k (up to 8 projects). Funding covers up to 50% of total project costs (co-funding required). SMEs leading projects receive €400k to €500k within the grant.
IHI (Innovative Health Initiative) 13th Call for Proposals
Deadline: 08 October 2026, at 5:00pm (GMT+1) Brussels time
Topics on accelerating healthcare innovation through networks, reducing animal use in drug safety studies, and decoding the immuno-science of diseases affected by ageing and the immune system. Maximum contribution of €9m-€35m depending on call. A percentage of costs must be provided by contributions (in-kind or financial) from private members which are members of IHI JU, their constituent or affiliated entities, and contributing partners.
UKRI Translation: MRC Impact Acceleration Awards
Deadline: 11 November 2026, at 4:00pm
This funding opportunity was formerly known as ‘Gap Fund: single-step support for medical product development’. £50k–£300k for a single high-risk translational step (data generation) on a new/repurposed medicine, device or diagnostic. Led by MRC-eligible research organisations; health SMEs typically participate as commercial/development partners rather than lead applicants.
General health innovation funding opportunities
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, is a non-departmental public body, and is the largest UK public funder of non-medical bioscience. It predominantly funds scientific research institutes and university research departments in the UK.
BBSRC standard research grant
You can apply for research grants at any time in any area within the remit of BBSRC. BBSRC funds research in plants, microbes, animals (including humans), and the tools and technology underpinning biological research from the level of molecules and cells, to tissues, whole organisms, populations and landscapes.
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The National Institute for Health and Care Research is the British government’s major funder of clinical, public health, social care and translational research. Its mission is to “improve the health and wealth of the nation through research”.
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)
UKDI aims to find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity.
Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Medical Research Council (MRC) improves the health of people in the UK – and around the world – by supporting excellent science and training the very best scientists.
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. They are committed to supporting research that will benefit the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.
NC3RS
The NC3RS is a UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to helping the research community worldwide to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals for medical testing.
Trusts and Charities
The Health Foundation (HF)
HF’s aim is a healthier population, supported by high quality health care that can be equitably accessed. They work towards this by generating research and analysis, testing practical solutions, bringing people together through convening and partnerships, and developing networks and long-term capability.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF)
BHF provide personal support for clinical and non-clinical cardiovascular researchers at all stages of their career. They also provide grants for short and long term research projects, essential infrastructure, and strategic initiatives.
Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)
Over 30 years ago a small, diverse group of medical research charities form the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to unite the sector and provide it with a leading voice. Since then their membership has grown to over 140 charities. In 2018, these charities invested £1.3 billion in medical research.