Innovation is a broad concept at EU level: it can refer to the development of new products and processes, new ways of marketing, or an original approach to organisational methods. The European Commission recognises that supporting innovation can play an important role in delivering high quality and cost-effective public services, in creating jobs and in strengthening the European economy.
EU funding opportunities to support this agenda include:
From time to time health-related funding opportunities are also available under other EU funding streams. Our other health funding page highlights calls which may be of interest to NHS organisations.
Your guide to EU funding opportunities
The NHS European Office has published a guide for NHS organisations on accessing the European Union's range of funding programmes. View the document here.
European Office feeds into NHS Innovation Review
Given the EU's focus on innovation, the European Office has contributed to the NHS Confederation's response to the NHS Innovation Review, launched by Sir Ian Carruthers in May 2011.
Our contribution focused on the EU's overarching approach to the spread of innovation and on those areas in which our Office is working to help facilitate the adoption of innovations across the NHS, such as the EU Innovation Union, the EU Clinical Trials Directive, EU public procurement laws and EU funding for research and innovation. You can download the response here.
NHS helps shape future EU funding for research and innovation
The NHS European Office has responded to an EU consultation to shape the future framework for research and innovation funding post 2013. The consultation sought views on how EU funding could be simplified and application procedures made less bureaucratic, while at the same time achieving broad European Union objectives to drive social and economic prosperity and contribute to a greener, more inclusive European Community.
Responses to the Consultation can be viewed via the European Commission website. The European Commission is expected to present proposals for a new strategic framework for EU research and innovation funding by the end of 2011.
For more detailed information on opportunities for NHS organisations to access EU funding please contact: hazel.baird@nhsconfed.org