IHI is a public-private partnership between the EU and the European life science industry, represented by the industry organizations COCIR, EFPIA including Vaccines Europe, EuropaBio and MedTech Europe.

The initiative is a continuation of the Innovative Medicine Initiatives IMI1 and IMI2. The initiative’s goal is to translate health research and innovation into real benefits for patients and society and to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of interdisciplinary, sustainable and patient-centered health research. By promoting projects that bring the different sectors together, the IHI paves the way for a more integrated approach to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and disease management.

The specific objectives of the IHI have been determined in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA):

• To increase knowledge of factors that influence health and the development and treatment of specific diseases.
• Bringing together stand-alone research and innovation activities with the various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. This enables the development of tools, data, platforms, technologies and processes that facilitate the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases.
• The usability of integrated healthcare solutions based on different technologies from different sectors and considering the needs of those who use the solutions, such as patients or healthcare professionals.
• Improved collection of health data and its use in research and care, in compliance with data protection regulations.
• Assessing the value of innovative and integrated solutions for patients, care-givers, healthcare professionals and organizations and other stakeholders.

As a rule, the IHI publishes one- and two-stage calls for proposals. In all cases, at least 45% of the project budget must be covered by the industrial partners of the participating associations and other supporting partners.

Both application and project management are closely modelled on Horizon Europe and therefore take place exclusively via the Funding and Tenders Opportunities Portal. The calls for proposals and their deadlines are published both on the EU's online portal and in our "Current calls for proposals" section.