Learnings from a Horizon Europe roadshow event in Glasgow must be embraced if Scotland is to fully capitalise upon the £80bn research, development and innovation programme, says InnoScot Health.
Organisers of the recent in-person gathering at the University of Glasgow labelled it an ideal platform to “learn, connect and discuss the Horizon Europe collaborative research and innovation opportunities that can accelerate your project”.
It invited innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to “unlock the potential” of Horizon – the world’s largest collaborative research programme – over its duration lasting until 2027.
InnoScot Health Project Manager Paula Sweeten works alongside innovators across Scotland and is encouraging the community to analyse learnings from the Glasgow event in order to maximise opportunities of the programme – with the average Horizon grant being worth £450,000.
She said: “More than ever, Scotland needs to drive innovation excellence in healthcare. We have incredible talent and capabilities across the country and Horizon Europe funding can support vital investment to transform progressive ideas into successful projects.
“UK participation in the flagship RDI funding programme formally commenced from January, so I would urge innovators to absolutely get involved – grasp the opportunities to elevate their ideas, support investment in the NHS, industry, and academia, foster exciting new partnerships, and extend Scotland’s international reach.
“Indeed, over £740 million was awarded to consortium-based projects across Scotland through its predecessor, Horizon 2020. The opportunity should not be missed.”
At the Glasgow event – organised by the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, Innovate UK, the Scottish Government, and the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – an array of speakers from across academia, industry, and more underlined the importance of Horizon Europe to both the public and private sectors.
Primarily, it encouraged interest from those who have not previously engaged with Horizon Europe before, offered advice on eligibility and how to deliver winning consortiums to evaluators, while spotlighting first-hand experiences from those who have gone through the process before.
Success stories highlighted at the Glasgow event included Healikick – a Horizon 2020 funded project aimed at delivering next generation bone graft materials for the repair of major critical defects, helping to tackle the significant clinical challenges often faced in orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery.
Paula continued: “Horizon Europe is undoubtedly a huge opportunity for securing vital funding and knowledge, supporting everything from early-stage innovation research, right through to developing new products and services.
“It is designed to help ambitious small to medium-sized businesses grow and scale through the development and commercialisation of new innovations thanks to an agile, inclusive network which can offer opportunities to collaborate with international partners.
“Fundamentally, the flagship programme can boost Scotland’s innovation capacity, fast track new ideas to market, not to mention enhance our competitiveness while creating new jobs. We must be alive to what Horizon Europe can lend to our forward-thinking innovators.
“While Scotland already offers so much expertise for both domestic and international health benefits, its excellence and infrastructure can undoubtedly be enhanced further with the right support to help tackle a wider spectrum of health, social, and environmental challenges.
“Among Horizon Europe’s stated aims are improving cancer care through prevention, cure, and seeking ways to improve quality, and span of life, as well as supporting 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 for health improvement.
“Its ability to expand Scotland’s collaborative network is also precisely what we need at this time of renewal and transformation.
“Horizon is set to leave a legacy of better innovation-led healthcare outcomes, but we need to be motivated to make it happen.”
InnoScot Health provides expert funding advice and works with a number of high-profile organisations such as Scottish Enterprise and Innovate UK, and when required, can apply for funding at an international level. It also has strong links with academia, and with investors and funders of health and medical technology innovation.
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