The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) partnership has announced its thirteenth international call for proposals, IHI Call 13. This two-round call, with a total budget of 85 million euros, will focus on building a network of European healthcare incubators, developing an AI model for toxicological studies that reduce animal testing, and research into immune-related diseases associated with aging. The deadline for submitting short proposals is October 8, 2026.
The call covers three main thematic areas:
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Topic 1: A network to boost the next wave of European innovations in healthcare
The goal is to create a robust network that will facilitate the commercialization of the results of cutting-edge European research and help early-stage innovative companies overcome market fragmentation and successfully scale their solutions across Europe, which will ultimately accelerate patients’ access to modern technologies. -
Topic 2: An AI-based toxicology model and framework to support waiving a second species in drug safety studies
The goal is to develop an advanced toxicology model based on artificial intelligence (AI) and to establish a standardized framework that will make it possible to reduce mandatory drug safety testing on a second animal species (non-rodents). By utilizing AI, multi-omic approaches, and in vitro methods, the need for chronic animal testing is expected to be significantly reduced. -
Topic 3: Decode the immuno-science of age-related immune-mediated diseases
This research area aims to gain a deeper biological understanding of how the aging of the organism and the associated remodeling of the immune system (so-called “inflammaging”) influence the development of chronic and immune-mediated diseases in the elderly population. The research aims to help identify key determinants of healthy aging.
The aim of the call is to support public-private research and innovation addressing key health challenges through large-scale consortia linking academia, industry, and other relevant stakeholders.
The call is open to entities from countries associated with the Horizon Europe program, including, among others, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, in accordance with standard eligibility rules. Projects are carried out by international consortia and fall under the RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) action type. Given the nature of the IHI partnership, close collaboration between the academic sector and industrial partners (pharmaceutical industry, digital health, biotechnology, health technologies) is expected.
Project proposals are submitted electronically via the European Commission’s portal (Funding & Tenders Portal).
- Deadline for submitting short proposals: October 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CET
- Deadline for submitting full proposals: April 21, 2027, 5:00 p.m. CET
Useful Links
- IHI Call 13 webpage – Overview of Topics and Call Timeline
- Call text and details on individual topics – Funding & Tenders Portal
- Guide for Applicants
- Recordings from IHI Call Days – Call 13 – presentations and recordings from IHI information days
Those interested in assistance with submitting a grant application may also contact the staff at the UP Research Support Office. We look forward to working with you!
Source: IHI