Bridges Health

Bridges

Expert-Led Training & Matchmaking for Horizon Europe Consortia

Health

25-26 November 2026 | Thessaloniki, Greece

Co-Led By

Ecosystem Partner

Level Up Your Horizon Europe Consortium in Health

Bridges Health is a focused, two-day programme taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece, designed to drive successful cross-border Horizon Europe submissions. Building on the Bridging the Horizon matchmaking round tables, the Bridges programme is tailored for experienced consortium coordinators and partners looking to take the next step and move from initial connections and abstract project concepts to concrete, competitive proposals.

Through a combination of expert-led masterclasses, practical workshops, and facilitated peer exchange, participants will refine their project concepts, strengthen their consortium strategy, and advance proposal development for Cluster 1 and Cancer Mission open calls.

GET READY TO EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS!

Thematic Focus

Health

The round table will focus on 5 selected open calls:

Leveraging Functional Genomics to Reveal Novel Targets for Cancer Treatment

HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-01

This call focuses on deepening the functional understanding of tumour heterogeneity during cancer initiation, progression, and relapse. It prioritises high-impact areas including paediatric cancers, rare tumours, and cancers with limited treatment options or low survival rates. Proposals are expected to leverage cutting-edge technologies—such as single-cell studies, spatial gene mapping, and liquid biopsies—to identify precise therapeutic targets and develop next-generation, genomically-informed treatments. Successful projects will integrate AI tools and computational modelling to manage complex, multimodal clinical data, ensuring all results contribute to the UNCAN.eu research data platform. Learn more

Clinical Research by Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures for the Benefit of Patients with Common Cancers

HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-02

This call focuses on conducting high-impact clinical research within the framework of Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures (CCIs) to improve outcomes for patients with common cancers (such as breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate). The objective is to embed innovative research directly into clinical practice, facilitating the rapid translation of diagnostic and therapeutic advancements into routine care. Projects must focus on at least one of the following areas: innovative diagnostics; radiotherapy, surgery, or chemotherapy; the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines for patients with early-stage, advanced, metastatic, or minimal residual disease; or the implementation of clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in countries with limited or no existing CCIs. Learn more

Predictive Biomarkers of Disease Progression and Treatment Response Using AI

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-TOOL-01-two-stage

This call focuses on the clinical development of multimodal predictive biomarkers to improve disease progression assessment and treatment response for chronic non-communicable diseases (excluding cancer). The initiative seeks to address the complexity of multifactorial diseases characterised by high patient heterogeneity. Proposals are expected to adapt established AI methodologies to integrate diverse data—including molecular, imaging, and Real-World Data (RWD)—to provide clinicians with more accurate tools for personalised therapeutic interventions. The scope includes the mapping and evaluation of existing candidate biomarkers, the application of trustworthy AI to identify high-accuracy predictive indicators, and the establishment of a biomarker validation platform using independent disease cohorts. Learn more

Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) for Integrated Clinical Decision Support in Prevention and Diagnosis

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-04

This call focuses on the development and validation of Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) to provide integrated clinical decision support for the prevention and diagnosis of high-burden diseases. By creating multiscale, multi-organ digital representations of individual patients, the initiative aims to move beyond traditional diagnostic methods toward highly personalised medicine. Proposals are expected to deliver robust VHT solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing clinical care pathways, offering clinicians predictive insights to guide early intervention and optimise treatment strategies. Key activities include developing multiscale digital models that integrate diverse health data, validating VHT performance in real-world clinical settings, and ensuring interoperability with other digital health tools. Learn more

Advancing Bio-Printing of Living Cells for Regenerative Medicine

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-02

This call focuses on advancing the state-of-the-art in bio-printing technologies to create functional, living tissue constructs for regenerative medicine. The objective is to move beyond simple structures toward the production of complex, multi-cellular tissues that mimic the physiological properties and functions of native human organs. Proposals should prioritise improving the precision, scalability, and viability of bio-printed materials, ensuring they can be successfully integrated into clinical applications for tissue repair and replacement. Key activities include optimising bio-ink formulations for enhanced cell survival and differentiation, validating the long-term function of printed constructs in clinically relevant models, and developing automated manufacturing processes to ensure reproducibility. Learn more

Decentralised, Federated and Sustainable AI Data Processing

HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-03

This call focuses on developing innovative approaches, tools, and techniques for decentralised, federated, and sustainable AI data processing. It aims to overcome the bottlenecks of centralised AI—such as energy constraints, compute capacity, and latency—by leveraging distributed resources across the Cloud-Edge-HPC continuum. Proposals should support the entire AI lifecycle, integrating heterogeneous hardware architectures (including neuromorphic and quantum) while implementing end-to-end energy efficiency monitoring. Key priorities include ensuring data quality, integrity, and privacy, alongside the optimisation of data transfer volumes in distributed environments. Learn more

Demand-Side 3C Pilot Demonstrators on Converged Telco Edge Cloud Infrastructure

HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-08

This call focuses on establishing large-scale pilot demonstrators based on the convergence of Computing, Communication, and Control (3C) within telco edge-cloud infrastructures. The objective is to validate distributed architectures that enable real-time data processing, ultra-low latency, and high reliability for strategic sectors such as smart manufacturing, energy, and autonomous mobility. Projects must demonstrate seamless interoperability between diverse hardware and software providers while integrating AI tools at the network edge, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency. The initiative seeks to transition technological concepts into tangible solutions that meet complex operational requirements in dynamic industrial environments. Learn more

Programme Framework

Bridges Health is designed to transform initial matchmaking connections into structured, high-scoring proposals through four core pillars:

Call Alignment: Gain strategic insights into high-priority Horizon Europe open calls in Health, unpacking evaluator expectations and understanding how to shape your project to maximise funding success.

Curated Matchmaking: Participate in targeted, moderated roundtables designed to flesh out technical synergies and complementary areas of expertise among curated partners from across Europe and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Hands-On Collaborative Proposal Drafting: Move directly from abstract concepts to concrete project design through interactive working blocks guided by proposal writing experts.

Expert-Led Masterclasses: Access advanced training modules focused on the operational execution of large-scale European projects, from budget management to risk mitigation.

Impact & Benefits

Secure Pre-Vetted Partnerships

Establish concrete partnerships with 35-40 top-tier research, innovation, and industry professionals from across Europe and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Accelerate Proposal Maturity

Transition abstract concepts into structured project objectives and high-scoring impact narratives in just 48 hours.

Build Execution-Ready Frameworks

Walk away with a concrete operational blueprint covering optimised partner roles, budget structures, and balanced work packages.

De-Risk Your Submission

Eliminate critical technical flaws through direct, intimate validation sessions with experienced Horizon Europe assessors.

Why Thessaloniki?

7th place ranking in Horizon Europe performance among all EU Member States.
926 proposals submitted by Greek organisations in 2024, more than any other country. They achieved 86 successful projects, the second highest number of wins in Europe.
Thessaloniki is home to leading research institutions like the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)—the largest university in South Eastern Europe—and CERTH (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas), both global leaders with a strong record in securing EU funding, forming strategic consortia, and delivering impact.
Flagship Health & AI Projects: Central Macedonia is a driving force behind landmark EU health consortia, including INCISIVE (AI-driven cancer imaging and predictive biomarkers, co-led by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki).
Global Digital Health Infrastructure: Thessaloniki is home to Pfizer’s global Center for Digital Innovation (CDI), an elite €100M+ ecosystem accelerator running more than 200 global digital health and data-driven medicine initiatives.

The Ideal Participant

Bridges Health is intended for experienced organisations from the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries ready to lead or significantly strengthen high-quality consortia under Horizon Europe. The programme is best suited for those with a strong track record and clear intentions to engage in upcoming Health and Cancer Mission calls.

The target audience for the Bridges Health programme includes:

Academic & Research Institutions: Researchers and labs focusing on functional genomics, regenerative medicine, 3D bioprinting, mathematical and biophysics-based modeling, data science & bioinformatics.
Hospitals & Clinical Settings: Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures (CCIs), specialised medical departments (oncology, chronic disease management, regenerative medicine), and clinical research organisations.
Industry: Companies and startups in biotech, bio/tissue engineering, med-tech, AI & digital health, software engineering, and pharmaceutical R&D.
Data Holders: HMOs and biobanks.
Social Science and Humanities (SSH) Disciplines: Patient representative organisations, SSH experts.
Regulatory & Compliance Experts

* The programme is not suitable for consultants

It’s Time to Build Your Next Consortium

15 July

2 September

15 September

30 September

19 October

25-26 November

Applications Open

Online Info Session

Applications Close

Selection Notification

Kick-Off Webinar

Bridges Programme in Thessaloniki

15 July

Applications Open

15 July

2 September

Online Info Session

2 September

15 September

Applications Close

15 September

30 September

Selection Notification

30 September

19 October

Kick-Off Webinar

19 October

25-26 November

Bridges Programme in Thessaloniki

25-26 November

Agenda Highlights

Evaluator Expectations Masterclass: Firsthand insights from an experienced Horizon Europe assessor on proposal evaluation and the "dos and don’ts" of bidding in the Health field
Expert Proposal Trimming: Practical work with Horizon Europe experts to align project concepts with EU strategic targets.
Consortium-Building Workshops: Intensive matchmaking sessions designed to co-create and structure winning Horizon Europe proposals.
Consortium Consolidation: Facilitated working tracks to define partner roles, work packages, and baseline project structures.

Strategic Proposal Review: Interactive pitch-and-review sessions with immediate feedback from EU funding experts and evaluation insiders.
Networking & Exchange: Dedicated spaces to finalise agreements and seal strategic partnerships with key European stakeholders.
Thessaloniki Innovation Tour: An exclusive site visit to one of Thessaloniki’s premier technology and innovation hubs, exploring cutting-edge infrastructure firsthand.

Assessment Criteria

All submitted applications will be formally evaluated and ranked by a professional review panel based on the following weighted metrics:

Experience as a Coordinator: Prior track record of leading Horizon Europe or other EU-funded projects in a coordinator role.
Winning Consortium Participation: Demonstrated history of participating as a partner within successful, funded EU project consortia.

Thematic Relevance: Direct alignment of your organisation’s current technical work and strategic focus with the selected Health and/or Cancer Mission calls.
Bridging the Horizon Participation: Active engagement and presence during the Bridging the Horizon Health online roundtables held in June 2026.
Winning Health Consortium: Specific historical success in winning and implementing EU consortia in the Health field.
Track Record Quantity: Number of Horizon Europe/EU projects your organisation has successfully coordinated to date.
Coordination Readiness for Open Calls: Explicit intent, readiness, and capacity to actively coordinate a consortium for upcoming calls.
Diversity & Inclusion: Evaluation of gender diversity, combined with priority points allocated to European applicants originating from EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) regions.

Funding & Logistics

Participation Fee: The programme is free of charge. The full value of this training is estimated at ~1,050 EUR per participant, but it is entirely subsidised by the leading partners for accepted cohort members. Participants are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and any additional personal costs. 
Travel & Accommodation Scholarships: A limited pool of up to 18 selected participants (9 EU / 9 IL organisations) will be awarded a scholarship, providing reimbursement of up to 750 EUR towards travel and accommodation expenses.

Travel & Accommodation Scholarships are merit-based, calculated from application scores and financial justifications. Awarded recipients commit to progress reporting and writing a reflective ecosystem blog post following the summit.

Bridges Featured Organisations

Co-Led By:

ISERD, the Israel-Europe Research and Innovation Directorate, operates under the Israel Innovation Authority and supports Israeli participation in European research and innovation programmes. As Israel’s official National Contact Point for the EU Framework Programmes, ISERD helps organisations access funding, build international partnerships, and join European consortia.

As a global outreach location of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), EIT Hub Israel creates synergies between the EIT community and the Israeli innovation ecosystem, supporting the growth of innovative start ups and increasing EU-Israel collaborative projects.

Since 2021, EIT Hub Israel has been actively operating in the Horizon Europe space through its consortium-building programmes Bridging the Horizon and Bridges, bringing together 1,108 participants from across Europe and Israel, delivering 22 events, presenting 60 open calls, and facilitating the formation of 25 cross-border consortia across health, energy, civil security, food-tech, smart mobility, and aquaculture.

The Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel is the official diplomatic mission representing the EU in Israel. It works under the European External Action Service (EEAS) to manage diplomatic, economic, and political relations, as well as to facilitate cooperation in areas like trade, research, and civil society.

Ecosystem Partner:

EIT Health is a network of best-in-class health innovators backed by the EU. We deliver solutions to enable European citizens to live longer, healthier lives.

What Bridges Alumni Say About Us

FAQ

Yes, absolutely. Selected participants must commit to fully attend the in–person programme in Thessaloniki, Greece.

You will collaborate with senior decision-makers and tech leaders from Europe, Israel, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. The cohort is highly curated and includes top-tier academic researchers, hospital executives, startup founders, successful project coordinators, and active funding specialists.

Bridges Health is strictly designed for experienced organisations from Europe, Israel, and Horizon Europe Associated Countries that are ready to lead or strengthen high-quality consortia for upcoming Horizon Europe Health and Cancer Mission calls. We are seeking senior decision-makers (Chief Technology Officers, Chief Medical Officers) from the med-tech industry; innovation leads from university hospitals and other leading academic institutes; Principal Investigators in medical AI and genomics from top research clusters; alongside strategic representatives from key European health associations, to drive large-scale clinical validation and adoption.

Please note that this programme focuses purely on direct ecosystem players and is not suitable for consultants.

The intensive two-day progamme covers the complete operational lifecycle of consortium building and competitive proposal development. Key topics include an overview of targeted Horizon Europe Health open calls; expert-led masterclasses on managing budgets, work packages, and multi-stakeholder timelines; and strategic guidelines for integrating AI tools safely into your drafting workflow. Participants will also engage in hands-on collaborative proposal drafting, analyse winning case studies, and receive tailoired feedback during 1:1 expert consultations and validation sessions with an experienced Horizon Europe assessor.

Participation is completely free of charge for accepted applicants, as the €1,050 training value is fully funded by the partners. Flight and hotel expenses are covered by the participants, however, up to 18 high-ranking applicants will receive a €750 scholarship for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses.

While active participation in the online roundtables (Bridging the Horizon) is not a strict eligibility exclusion criterion, it is highly recommended and accounts for 15% of your total evaluation score for Bridges Health in Thessaloniki. Engaging in the online session allows you to pitch your expertise early, explore the participant gallery, and identify initial synergies, thereby accelerating your face-to-face collaborative drafting and consortium assembly during the physical event.

You will leave Thessaloniki with a structured, vetted consortium blueprint, validated connections with international partners, practical strategies for budgeting and timeline management, and direct feedback on the evaluation of your proposal concept from a Horizon Europe expert.

Do you have any questions? Get in touch with us at

Bridges

Expert-Led Training & Matchmaking for Horizon Europe Consortia

Health

Co-Led By

Ecosystem Partner

Level Up Your Horizon Europe Consortium in Health

Thematic Focus

Health

The round table will focus on 5 selected open calls:

HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-01

HORIZON-MISS-2027-02-CANCER-02

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-TOOL-01-two-stage

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-04

HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-02

HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-03

HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-08

Programme Framework

Impact & Benefits

Secure Pre-Vetted Partnerships

Accelerate Proposal Maturity

Build Execution-Ready Frameworks

De-Risk Your Submission

Why Thessaloniki?

The Ideal Participant

The Ideal Participant

It’s Time to Build Your Next Consortium

Applications Open

Online Info Session

Applications Close

Selection Notification

Kick-Off Webinar

Bridges Programme in Thessaloniki

Agenda Highlights

Assessment Criteria

Funding & Logistics

Bridges Featured Organisations

Co-Led By:

Ecosystem Partner:

What Bridges Alumni Say About Us

Georgios Megas

Alisa Givertz

Assaf Admon

Susan Løvstad Holdt

Alin Lungu

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