II.A.2. Additional funding source(s) to support the selected instrument

Estimated Execution Time

1-2 weeks

Objective

To identify other relevant funding sources for this pressuring need identified (national, regional, or EU-level) that can finance, co-finance or support the development and adoption of innovative health solutions, reducing financial risks and increasing the attractiveness and feasibility of pursuing healthcare transformation through innovation.

Who is Involved

Champion (s)– in charge of activating the search for funding and contact regional contact points or other external entities. Coordinates with internal department of funding (if it does exist) or person in charge.
Procurement Office – leads the validation of the selected instrument and ensures procedural soundness.
Financial / Administrative Department – assess funding needs.

Activities / Tasks

II.A.2.1. Define the extra funding needs early

Draft a funding requirements matrix that contents for each of the type of procurement instrument and opportunity detected in II.A.1; PCP, PPI, Innovation Partnership or others:

Preliminary assessment of the type of resources needed (human resources, sub-contracting support, co-financing, travel, equipment, etc…)
Assess the financial condition of the opportunity: such as co-funding percentage needed:
- PCP under Horizon Europe: up to 100% EU contribution. At regional or national level could be different.
- PPI under Horizon Europe: up to 50% EU contribution. At regional or national level could be different.
- Innovation Partnership co-funding usually comes in human resources, samples, data, etc…

II.A.2.2. Map internal/external funding sources

Conduct internal interviews with finance departments to assess funding needs and available budget or funding
Request multi-annual budgetary planning visibility (2–3 years).
Review operational programmes in your country/region for institutional / regional budgets: Hospital innovation funds, digitalisation budgets, Research & development internal allocations, Regional innovation agencies / European Regional Development Funds ERDF managing authorities
Check the eligibility of procurement costs, timing of ERDF calls and the possibility of combining ERDF + Horizon Europe.
Check national top-up schemes for Horizon projects – some Member States co-fund beneficiaries participating in EU projects (e.g. Interreg)

II.A.2.3. Create a prioritization table

Rank funding sources using a scoring matrix (1-9) to score:

Eligibility fit (PCP/PPI/IP compatible)
Timing
Co-funding rate
Administrative load
Probability of success
Execution risk

Tips / Common Pitfalls

✅ Keep track of funding calls and start early. Many calls are annual or cyclical with tight deadlines.

✅ Start the funding search before deciding the procurement instrument.

✅ Consider hybrid models, combining local budgets with EU grants or innovation loans.

✅ Engage early with financial departments and regularly.

✅ Document your assumptions and agreements such as co-funding letters.

❌ Avoid misalignment between funding call objectives and procurement plans.

❌ Don’t assume that all funds can be combined, do the legal check to avoid double funding, etc…

❌ Don’t underestimating time needed to secure funding.

❌ Don’t forget hidden costs and the alignment of funding periods with procurement phases, such as internal resources or inadequate cashflow to match funding.

❌ Don’t ignore legal compatibility between funding conditions and procurement procedures.

Outcome / Deliverables

List of relevant funding sources (with deadlines, eligibility, co-financing) prioritised according to the scoring matrix.
A document with the funding requirements matrix and funding strategy.

Resources

Funding Opportunities for PCP and PPI Funding requirements matrix template - HIPSS Scoring matrix for prioritization - HIPSS

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