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Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

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The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the European life science industries, under the EU R&I funding programme Horizon Europe. IHI was launched in 2021 and will run until 2027.

What is IHI?

This cross-sectoral partnership unites all key stakeholders in healthcare, including five major industry sectors (COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe, and Vaccines Europe), alongside public partners and patients. Its mission is to drive significant progress in addressing unmet health needs across Europe.

By leveraging expertise from medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and big data, IHI funds collaborative projects that aim to deliver tangible health outcomes, improve patients’ lives, and boost the global competitiveness of Europe’s health industries.

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The main goals of IHI

Pioneer the patient-centred integration of knowledge, technology, and products

Tackle every aspect of care to improve the lives of patients across Europe and beyond

Strengthen Europe’s position at the forefront of medical innovation

Address current and future health challenges

What is in it for you as a medical technology company?

The  IHI  programme is an exciting opportunity for medical technology companies. By participating, you can shape your company’s future research, collaborate with public and private partners across sectors to improve healthcare, build innovative solutions, find out where your expertise can make a difference, and address health challenges with a broader diversity of approaches. 

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Navigating the IHI journey: support from MedTech Europe

MedTech Europe is proud to be among  five industry associations that have come together, representing pharmaceutical, biotech and medical technologies industries operating in Europe (COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe, and Vaccines Europe). 

The Research & Innovation Team of MedTech Europe is here to help its members navigate from A to Z along their journey towards IHI. For further information on templates, guidelines, and other resources, please contact Jeroen Schuermans, Director Strategic Initiatives

We can provide you with the following: 

Tailored deep dive webinars

On-site or remote meetings with your teams

Valuable resources and educational materials

Support and guidance at any time

IHI funding model: investing in innovation

The IHI is funded jointly by the European Union (represented by the European Commission) and the life science industries (represented by COCIR, EFPIA, Vaccines Europe, EuropaBio, and MedTech Europe). The total budget for IHI for the period 2021-2027 is €2.4 billion. Half of this budget comes from cash contributions from Horizon Europe, the other half from contributions from the industry (€1 billion from, mostly, in-kind from the IHI industry partners and €200 million from other life science industries or associations that contribute to IHI as contributing partners)

Learn more about IHI

IHI website

Open calls

Future opportunities

Apply for funding

Podcast - The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI): the future of Research and Innovation in healthcare in Europe

Patrick Boisseau, previous Director General Industry Strategic Initiatives at MedTech Europe, explains what is the Innovative Health Initiative, which aims at delivering integrated and impactful patient-centric solutions thanks to cross-sectorial public-private partnerships.

MedTech ON AIR · The Innovative Health Initiative: the future of Research and Innovation in healthcare in Europe

Jeroen Schuermans

Director Strategic Initiatives
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Jeroen Schuermans

Director Strategic Initiatives

Medtech Europe

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Jeroen joined MedTech Europe in July 2025 as Director Strategic Initiatives. He leads the organisation’s work on EU health research and public funding, with a strong focus on the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). His role includes shaping and promoting the MedTech industry’s position in EU Research and Innovation Partnerships and supporting strategic engagement with European institutions and stakeholders.

Jeroen brings over a decade of experience in EU-funded health research programmes. He has supported companies and academic stakeholders in securing and managing large-scale collaborative projects under H2020, Horizon Europe, IMI/IHI, and other Joint Undertakings.

Prior to joining MedTech Europe, Jeroen was Senior Manager Funding & Strategic Partnerships, where he led multidisciplinary teams and worked closely with companies and research institutions on project development (pre-award) and execution (post-award).

Jeroen was educated a Biochemist (KU Leuven) and molecular neuroscientist at VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research. A Belgian national and native Dutch speaker, Jeroen is also fluent in English.

In his free time, Jeroen enjoys hiking with his dog and exploring nature.

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