Coming soon: UNITE's first Open Call for digital health innovators
September 15, 2025
Digital health innovators, get ready. The UNITE project will launch in mid-October the first open call offering €4 million in financial support in total, for breakthrough solutions that will transform European healthcare.
As healthcare systems across Europe face growing challenges posed by demographic shifts and aging populations, there is an urgent need to accelerate the transformation of the health sector through digital deep-tech innovation. This inaugural call represents a major opportunity to be part of the solution.
What is UNITE?
UNITE is a major €20 million pan-European programme under the European Commission's Regional Innovation Valleys initiative. We're building a borderless European digital health innovation ecosystem that brings together key stakeholders across various European regions-private and public sectors, academia, and civil society-to foster entrepreneurship, support local startups to scale, and facilitate the creation of new interregional value chains in the digital health domain.
The initiative is deeply rooted in seven UNITE regions: Region Zealand (Denmark), Northern Netherlands, Central Macedonia (Greece), Lombardy (Italy), Extremadura (Spain), Scotland (UK), and Romania. To be considered for selection, applicants must be based in one of these regions, or have a branch or subsidiary legally registered there.
The open call: Two critical innovation challenges
For this first Open Call, we're seeking deep-tech solutions that address two main innovation challenges:
1. Advancing More Personalised and Human-Centric Remote Care
The transition to personalised care that emphasises patient empowerment and accessibility is essential. We need solutions that:
- Empower patients with tools to manage and understand their health
- Increase access to care for remote and underserved populations
- Ensure continuity of care while reducing in-person visits
2. Advancing European Health Data Spaces
This challenge aims to revolutionize how health data is used across Europe. We're looking for innovations that:
- Enhance patient care by improving data accessibility and understanding for both patients and healthcare professionals
- Advance research and innovation by providing better data access to researchers and universities
- Simplify the regulatory environment through data interoperability and harmonised frameworks
Additional calls focused on the remaining challenges addressed by the UNITE project will follow, providing multiple opportunities to secure funding and support.
Prepare now: Join the UNITE Matchmaking Platform
Don't wait for the call to launch—start building your winning partnerships today. The UNITE Matchmaking Platform is already live, designed to connect organizations across Europe and accelerate impactful collaborations.
Whether you represent an academic institution, research centre, healthcare provider, startup, SME, consultancy, public authority, or NGO, register now to access:
- Tailored matchmaking opportunities with compatible European organizations
- Curated events and networking activities to expand your innovation network
- Hands-on support to transform ideas into compelling cross-border project proposals
By joining the platform, you'll connect with over 100 organizations spanning all UNITE regions and identify the perfect partners for your open call submission.
The future of digital health in Europe is taking shape. Be ready to seize this €4 million opportunity when the call opens in just a few weeks.
