Deadline: 19-Feb-2026
The CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Call supports the translation of high-potential health research into real-world solutions through a structured, milestone-based funding programme. It targets life sciences and human health innovations in therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health, offering up to €500,000 across three progressive stages.
Overview of the CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Call
The CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Call provides a structured pathway to advance promising health innovations from early research stages toward market and clinical application.
The programme is designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world healthcare impact by combining financial support with a clear, milestone-driven development framework.
It focuses on accelerating innovations that address unmet medical needs and deliver measurable benefits for patients and healthcare systems.
What Is CaixaImpulse?
CaixaImpulse is a health innovation acceleration programme that supports projects in life sciences and human health with strong innovation potential.
The programme emphasizes:
Market-oriented research
Technology transfer and valorisation
Evidence-based project progression
Accountability through predefined milestones
Rather than offering one-off grants, CaixaImpulse supports projects across multiple stages of maturity, enabling sustained development and validation.
Priority Areas and Types of Innovations Supported
The call is particularly suited to projects in:
Therapeutics, including novel drugs and treatment approaches
Medical devices for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring
Diagnostics technologies improving detection and decision-making
Digital health solutions such as software, platforms, or data-driven tools
All supported projects must demonstrate a clear innovation component and a realistic pathway toward market transfer or implementation in healthcare settings.
Funding Structure and Financial Support
Three-Stage Funding Model
Financial support is tailored to the maturity level of each project and distributed across three stages:
Stage 1 funding of up to €50,000
Stage 2 funding of up to €150,000
Stage 3 funding of up to €500,000
Projects that successfully progress through multiple stages may receive cumulative funding across stages.
Milestone-Based Payments
Funding is disbursed in instalments linked to:
Achievement of predefined technical or commercial milestones
Submission and approval of progress reports
This structure ensures continuous monitoring, accountability, and steady project advancement.
Eligible Costs and Use of Funds
Funding can be used to support activities essential for innovation development and market readiness, including:
Subcontracting specialised services related to valorisation or regulatory strategy
Business development and market viability studies
Hiring personnel directly involved in project execution
Purchasing consumables, materials, and supplies for testing and experimental development
Travel and representation expenses linked to project activities
For projects in stages two and three, part of the funding may also be allocated to overhead costs.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Institutions
Applicants must be public-sector or non-profit legal entities based in Spain or Portugal, including:
Universities
Research and technology centres
Hospitals and healthcare institutions
Foundations
Biomedical and health research institutions
The applicant institution must own or co-own the research assets generated by the project.
Established companies are not eligible to apply or participate as partner institutions.
Application Limits
Institutions may submit multiple applications, but:
Each application must be linked to a distinct asset
Each asset must originate from a different research project
Project Leadership Requirements
Project leaders must meet the following criteria:
Hold tertiary education, such as university degree, doctorate, or professorship
Be professionally connected to the applicant institution
Dedicate the majority of their professional time to the proposed project
Submit only one application as project leader
This ensures strong leadership commitment and focused project management throughout the programme.
How the CaixaImpulse Programme Works
Step-by-Step Process
Project selection based on innovation potential and market relevance
Allocation to the appropriate funding stage based on maturity
Definition of technical, regulatory, and commercial milestones
Periodic reporting and milestone assessment
Progression to subsequent stages upon successful evaluation
This structured approach reduces risk and supports efficient innovation translation.
Why the CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Call Matters
The programme plays a critical role in strengthening health innovation ecosystems by:
Reducing the gap between research and market
Supporting early-stage technologies often overlooked by traditional funding
Encouraging responsible and patient-focused innovation
Enhancing the impact of public and non-profit research
It enables scientific excellence to evolve into tangible healthcare solutions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying without a clear innovation or market transfer pathway
Underestimating the importance of milestones and reporting
Submitting projects without institutional ownership of assets
Assuming company participation is allowed
Overlooking the need for dedicated project leadership
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum funding available under CaixaImpulse?
Projects can receive up to €500,000 in stage three, with cumulative funding possible across all stages.
2. Is CaixaImpulse a single grant or a multi-stage programme?
It is a multi-stage programme with funding linked to project maturity and milestone achievement.
3. Can private companies apply or participate?
No. Established companies are not eligible to apply or participate as partner institutions.
4. Which countries are eligible?
Applicant institutions must be based in Spain or Portugal.
5. What types of costs can be covered?
Eligible costs include subcontracting, personnel, consumables, market studies, travel, and limited overheads in later stages.
6. Can an institution submit more than one application?
Yes, provided each application is linked to a distinct asset from a different research project.
7. Who can act as project leader?
Qualified individuals with tertiary education who are professionally connected to the applicant institution and dedicated to the project.
Conclusion
The CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Call offers a robust, milestone-driven framework for transforming high-potential health research into real-world solutions. By combining staged financial support with strong accountability and innovation focus, the programme empowers research institutions in Spain and Portugal to accelerate impactful advances in therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health.
For more information, visit ”La Caixa” Foundation.
