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1/11

Call 1.11.2021-31.1.2022

Health and wellbeing competence and technology – Innovation funding call

The funding call applies to innovative solutions in the health and wellbeing sector that develop digital solutions, technologies, and operating procedures in the field of healthcare. Project parties do not necessarily have to come from these sectors, but the results must promote the measures defined in the new roadmap of the health sector's growth strategy that strengthen the health sector's ecosystems and exports.

Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2022 for funding granted in 2022.

 

Call info webinar materials available in Finnish info page

Call has ended!

See full call text (pdf)


The funding call implements the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland, which is part of the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The program's measures will be carried out in 2021–2023. RRF funding promotes structural renewal in business and industry and the creation of a competitive edge based on Finnish companies' sustainable solutions.

The call is aimed at companies seeking international growth and, in joint projects, at research organizations supporting their development. Companies registered in Finland that want to grow and internationalize and have sufficient financial resources as well as diverse expertise and a team can apply for funding. In addition, a competitive advantage in the international market is required. A research organization can apply for funding as part of a co-innovation project.

Goal of the funding call

A competitive edge and productivity must be created through new business models and even better use of data. The long-term goal is to build new company-driven growth ecosystems in Finland, targeting global growth markets and seeking net sales in the range of billions, and to support the development of top expertise, the creation of innovative products and services, and domestic and international visibility. The funding call is mainly intended for companies seeking international growth and research organizations that support their development through joint projects.

For which themes can funding be applied?

Projects may be related to

  • digital solutions in health security
  • monitoring solutions for people’s wellbeing
  • digital support services for wellbeing
  • technology-assisted living solutions for the elderly
  • a new kind of use of data, and such advanced technologies as AI, and the extensive application of advanced technologies in the health and wellbeing sector
  • other promotion of the goals of the new roadmap 2020–2023 of the health sector’s growth strategy

Primarily, key application criteria include the innovativeness of projects, the promotion of digitalization, impact on the renewal of the company, targeted international net sales, competence, the ability to implement the project, and the project plan.

For which projects can funding be applied?

Business Finland provides funding for new creative research through aid. The aid is intended for providing funding for companies' independent research projects or Co-innovation projects carried out with research organizations. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Projects funded through aid:

  • create new competence and information for companies and partnership networks
  • take greater risks than normal and, if successful, involve a high market potential
  • often require more development afterwards to commercialize the results

How to apply for funding?

Basic applicant and application information is completed normally in Business Finland's online service.

  • Select the funding service.
    • Companies: "Research, development and piloting" or "Co-innovation"
    • Research organizations: "Co-innovation"
  • Under "Programs and other connections", select "RRF – Finland's Sustainable Growth Programme" for your application and then the "RRF – Health and wellbeing" identifier in the menu.
  • Respond to the questions related to environmental impact. Every project provided with RRF funding must fulfill the "Do No Significant Harm (DNSH)" requirements. The EU RRF requires that no measures do any significant harm to the environment.

Funding schedule

According to the preliminary plan, a total of EUR 4 million of funding will be granted in 2022 and 2023. Business Finland will make funding decisions following normal selection criteria. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2022 for funding granted in 2022. The funding call for funding granted in 2023 will open at the end of 2022.

Contact us

Please contact your Business Finland contact person or our customer service (Label your email with: RRF – Health and wellbeing innovation funding call) well before submitting your application.

If you are a new customer, please go to Become a customer web page.

Further information

Outi Tuovila, Laura Mustaniemi
firstname.lastname@businessfinland.fi

 

#SustainableGrowth

Photo: FIMM, University of Helsinki

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