IHI call 12 - call 2026

Topics

The call contains five topics, each focusing on one of the five IHI Specific Objectives (SOs) as set out in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA): 

• Topic 1 (SO1): Boosting innovation for a better understanding of the determinants of health

• Topic 2 (SO2): Boosting innovation through better integration of fragmented health R&I efforts

• Topic 3 (SO3): Boosting innovation for people-centred integrated healthcare solutions

• Topic 4 (SO4): Boosting innovation through exploitation of digitalisation and data exchange in healthcare

• Topic 5 (SO5): Boosting innovation for better assessment of the added value of innovative integrated healthcare solutions

For full details of the topics, including the budget breakdown, read the call text. All documents relating to the call can be found via the Funding and Tenders Portal and the IHI call documents page. We advise you to read these documents, in particular the guide for applicants, carefully.

Important information on eligibility for funding

Applicants should note that legal entities based in the following countries are not eligible to receive funding for some of the topics in this call.

Canada and UK: Legal entities are eligible to receive funding under topics 1, 2, 3 and 5, but not eligible to receive funding under topic 4.

Republic of Korea and Switzerland: Legal entities are eligible to receive funding under topics 1, 2 and 3, but not eligible to receive funding under topics 4 and 5.

Legal entities based in these countries are of course eligible to participate in projects as associated partners who participate at their own costs. Note that legal entities that are not eligible to receive funding cannot serve as coordinator of a project.

These funding eligibility rules apply because some of the funds used for IHI call 12 have been carried over from previous years, when these countries were not yet associated to Horizon Europe. Under Horizon Europe rules, countries cannot receive funds from budget years prior to their joining the programme. Canada and the UK joined Horizon Europe in 2024, and the Republic of Korea and Switzerland joined in 2025.

Topics 1, 2 and 3 draw on 2026 funds; as all four countries joined Horizon Europe in 2024 or 2025, legal entities from these countries are eligible to receive funding.

Topic 4 draws on 2023 funds; as all four countries joined Horizon Europe after this date, legal entities from these countries are not eligible to receive funding.

Topic 5 draws on 2024 funds, so legal entities from Canada and Europe are eligible to receive funding, but legal entities from the Republic of Korea and Switzerland are not.

If further countries (such as Japan) formally join Horizon Europe during 2026, legal entities from those countries will be eligible to receive funding under topics 1, 2 and 3, but not under topics 4 and 5.

The subject will be addressed during the info session on IHI rules and procedures - both the recording and slides from this session will be published online.

Key dates and deadlines

• Call outline announced: 23 September 2025. Draft topic texts published: 14 October 2025, updated 18 November 2025. Approved topics published: 11 December 2025.

• Call launch: 15 January 2026

• Full proposal submission deadline: 21 April 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time

Other useful information

• Call ID: HORIZON-JU-IHI-2026-12-SINGLE-STAGE | Action type: RIA - Research and Innovation Actions | Call type: Single-stage