Healthcare and MedTech funding consultant for companies across the EU

Yes, we work with medical device, diagnostics and digital health companies across the EU. Without a German entity, the main routes are the EIC Accelerator and Horizon Europe, which are open to companies established in an EU member state or an associated country, and Eurostars for SMEs from its participating countries. German national programmes come into play once you have a permanent establishment or branch in Germany.

The EIC Accelerator, Eurostars and Horizon Europe Cluster 1 (Health) are the three to check first. The EIC Accelerator funds a single startup or SME with a grant below €2.5M and optional equity of €1M to €10M. Eurostars funds international R&D projects led by an innovative SME. Horizon Europe funds consortia of at least three independent partners from three countries, at 100% for research actions and 70% for innovation actions.

Yes, if it is taxable in Germany, typically through a German subsidiary or a permanent establishment. Eligibility follows German tax liability, and the tax authorities treat a foreign company with a German permanent establishment as eligible where Germany has the right to tax. The allowance is 25% of eligible R&D costs, 35% for SMEs, credited against German tax. Contract research counts only if the contractor is managed in the EU, or in an EEA state that provides administrative assistance in tax matters.

Yes, if you are an SME, or a mid-sized company within the guideline's limits, with a permanent establishment or branch in Germany when the grant is paid. The guideline covers medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics and digital medical products. Digital health solutions that are not medical devices qualify only if they can clearly become one later. Projects normally run with research institutions, clinical partners and users, and start with a project outline.

It depends on the programme. The EIC Accelerator grant can include clinical trials and work towards regulatory approval at TRL 6 to 8. Horizon Europe funds clinical studies where a Cluster 1 topic asks for them. KMU-innovativ: Medizintechnik funds preclinical studies but not MDR clinical investigations. Eurostars in Germany excludes clinical studies. The Research Allowance excludes clinical evaluation of Class I to IIb devices, IVD performance evaluation and approval work.

Yes, several programmes are built for that stage. The Research Allowance is paid out even when a company makes a loss: whatever exceeds your tax bill is refunded. The EIC Accelerator accepts startups, and even founders who will set up the company before the grant agreement is signed. Founders still at a German university or research institute can start with EXIST.

Yes, as long as the same costs are not funded twice. EU rules forbid declaring the same costs to two EU grants, and the Research Allowance leaves out costs already covered by another grant, including EU funding. In practice we split the work: different projects or cost items go to different instruments, for example a grant for one work package and the Research Allowance for in-house R&D outside it.

For the Research Allowance, yes: depreciation on equipment can be included. The asset must be movable, acquired or produced after 27 March 2024, used exclusively in the R&D project and necessary for it. Low-value assets written off immediately do not count, and the certifying body (BSFZ) confirms that each asset is needed. Grant programmes such as KMU-innovativ set their own rules on equipment costs.

Yes, and some programmes expect it. Under the Research Allowance, contract research counts at 70% of the fee for contracts placed after 27 March 2024 (60% before), if the contractor is managed in the EU, or in an EEA state that provides administrative assistance in tax matters. KMU-innovativ: Medizintechnik is built around cooperation: SMEs work with research institutions, clinical partners and users, and universities and research institutes can receive up to 100% as project partners.

For the Research Allowance our fee is purely success-based: 10% of the funding up to €500k per year and 5% above that, due only after payout. For all other programmes the fee is a fixed share plus a success component, both agreed in advance. The first eligibility check is free and comes with no obligation.