Accessing EU funding

To support the innovation agenda, the EU has reviewed its range of funding programmes. Five are of particular interest to the NHS.

Many NHS organisations already benefit from EU collaboration, but there is scope for much greater involvement.

One of the roles of the NHS European Office is to highlight relevant EU funding opportunities and to provide information and advice on how to access this funding.

What are the benefits for NHS organisations of participating in EU projects?

Participation in an EU-funded project can:

  • complement local NHS initiatives with European Commission match-funding
  • improve service delivery through information-sharing and the exchange of good practice with European partners
  • develop pan-European research networks
  • benchmark and compare NHS practice with partners from other EU member states
  • showcase the organisation’s achievements in a specific field or topic to international colleagues
  • profile local, regional and national NHS innovations at international events
  • attract world-class researchers to the organisation.

The role of the NHS European Office in EU funding

The NHS European Office is the expert body in England for the health service on EU funding. Our specific roles in this area include:

Influencing

  • Influencing future EU funding calls in the interest of the NHS
  • Working with stakeholders to maximise involvement of the UK health sector in EU funding projects
  • Communicating NHS engagement in EU funding projects to the wider service

Informing

  • Promoting individual, relevant, EU funding opportunities to NHS organisations as they arise
  • Providing information on the range of EU funding programmes to NHS organisations and the benefits of engagement
  • Sharing early intelligence on future EU funding programmes with the health sector
  • Providing general advice on relevance, process and useful links for EU funding programmes

Facilitating

  • Assisting NHS organisations with partner searches through our links and networks
  • Facilitating direct dialogue with European Commission officials for, and on behalf of, NHS organisations
  • Identifying and communicating potential learning for NHS organisations from EU funded projects

Representing

  • Representing the NHS in cross-sectoral discussions on engaging the NHS in EU funding projects
  • Being a first point of contact for non-UK queries seeking to engage the NHS on EU funding projects
  • Participating in EU funding projects, as appropriate
  • Promoting individual, relevant, EU funding opportunities to NHS organisations as they arise
  • Providing information on the range of EU funding programmes to NHS organisations and the benefits of engagement
  • Sharing early intelligence on future EU funding programmes with the health sector
  • Providing general advice on relevance, process and useful links for EU funding programmes

  • A new online publication from the European Commission presents an overview of European funded projects in the field of ICT for health and wellbeing. With details of projects on research, innovation and interoperability (systems and organisations working together), NHS organisations interested in EU funding for e-health will get an idea of the type of projects likely to receive funding and information on potential partners with experience of accessing EU funds.

  • For NHS organisations keen to find out more about the EU funding landscape, this self-help guide from the European Commission is a good place to start. Whether or not you have previously applied for EU funding, the publication provides information on the different types of funding available, practical tips on the application process, and links to detailed information about specific funding opportunities.