Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The European Commission is investing €24.4 million to strengthen digital health systems under the European Health Data Space. The programme focuses on enabling secure access, sharing, and reuse of electronic health data while protecting citizens’ rights. It supports public authorities, healthcare providers, and SMEs in building interoperable, high-quality digital health infrastructures.
The European Commission has launched a major funding initiative to support the implementation of digital health services and systems aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The goal is to ensure that citizens across the EU can securely access, control, and share their electronic health records while enabling better healthcare delivery and innovation.
What is the European Health Data Space (EHDS)?
The European Health Data Space is a regulatory and technical framework designed to:
- Give citizens control over their health data
- Enable secure cross-border health data exchange
- Support research, innovation, and policymaking
- Improve healthcare quality and efficiency
It covers both:
- Primary use: Direct patient care
- Secondary use: Research, innovation, public health analysis
Programme Objectives
This funding programme focuses on:
- Implementing EHDS Regulation
- Expanding digital health services across EU countries
- Ensuring interoperability of health systems
- Improving data quality and accessibility
- Supporting secure reuse of health data
Key Focus Areas
1. Deployment of Digital Health Services
- Enable citizens to access and control their health data
- Support digital tools for healthcare delivery
- Ensure compliance with EU data protection standards
2. European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF)
- Promote standardized health data formats
- Enable seamless data sharing across systems and countries
3. Cross-Border Health Data Exchange
- Facilitate healthcare access across EU Member States
- Improve continuity of care for mobile citizens
4. Capacity Building for Stakeholders
- Support public authorities and healthcare providers
- Strengthen institutional readiness for digital transformation
5. Data Quality and Secondary Use
- Improve dataset documentation and metadata
- Introduce data quality labels and standards
- Enable secure access for research and innovation
6. Training and SME Support
- Build skills for service providers and SMEs
- Support adoption of digital standards and tools
7. Data Catalogues and Labelling Systems
- Develop structured repositories of health datasets
- Improve discoverability and usability of data
8. Interoperability and EHR Access
- Strengthen access to electronic health records
- Ensure systems can communicate effectively
Funding Details
- Total Budget: €24,400,000
- Funding Type: Cascading grants (via selected projects)
- Target Beneficiaries: Public authorities, healthcare providers, SMEs, data holders
How the Cascading Funding Works
This programme uses a cascade funding model, meaning:
- The European Commission funds selected large projects
- These projects then distribute funds to third parties
- Third parties implement specific digital health activities
Eligible Activities for Third Parties
- Deployment of digital health tools
- Staff training and capacity building
- Data standardisation and conversion
- Development of interoperability solutions
- Data management and cataloguing systems
Who is Eligible?
Direct Applicants (Primary Beneficiaries)
- Public authorities
- Research organisations
- Healthcare system stakeholders
- Consortia with strong digital health expertise
Third-Party Beneficiaries
- Healthcare providers
- SMEs and tech providers
- Data holders and institutions
Why This Programme Matters
- Empowers citizens with control over their health data
- Improves healthcare delivery across borders
- Enables innovation through data reuse
- Strengthens EU digital sovereignty
- Builds a unified and interoperable health ecosystem
How to Apply / How It Works
For Main Applicants
- Form a consortium with relevant stakeholders
- Design a project aligned with EHDS priorities
- Include a clear cascade funding mechanism
- Submit proposal via EU funding portal
For Third Parties
- Monitor selected projects offering cascade funding
- Apply to those projects for sub-grants
- Implement approved digital health activities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring interoperability standards (like EEHRxF)
- Weak data governance and security planning
- Lack of clear cascade funding structure
- Poor stakeholder engagement
- Inadequate training or capacity-building plans
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Align closely with EHDS regulation and goals
- Focus on real-world usability and scalability
- Include strong technical and policy expertise
- Ensure clear impact on citizens and healthcare systems
- Build partnerships across sectors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main goal of this programme?
To build capacity for implementing secure, interoperable digital health systems across the EU.
2. What is the European Health Data Space?
A framework that enables citizens to control and share their health data securely across borders.
3. Who can benefit from this funding?
Public authorities, healthcare providers, SMEs, and data holders.
4. What is cascading funding?
A system where funded projects distribute smaller grants to third parties.
5. What kind of activities are supported?
Digital health deployment, training, data standardisation, and interoperability solutions.
6. Why is data quality important?
High-quality data ensures reliable research, better healthcare decisions, and effective innovation.
7. Does this programme support cross-border healthcare?
Yes, improving cross-border data exchange is a key objective.
Conclusion
This European Commission initiative under the European Health Data Space represents a major step toward a unified, secure, and citizen-centric digital health ecosystem in Europe. By investing in infrastructure, standards, and skills, it ensures that health data can be effectively used to improve care, drive innovation, and empower citizens.
For more information, visit European Commission.
