Digital solutions for the healthcare, energy, and mobility sectors
Funded projects will address digital transformation across three strategic sectors: healthcare, energy, and mobility. Rather than targeting predefined technological challenges, the call is designed to support a broad range of innovative digital solutions that address real-world needs within these sectors. Consortia will have the flexibility to define their own project approach, with a focus on developing, testing, and validating technologies in operational environments and demonstrating their potential for societal and economic impact.
Projects must start at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 and reach TRL 8 during the project duration, advancing technologies from validated prototypes to complete solutions demonstrated under operational conditions. Selected projects are expected to run for between 15 and 18 months, with implementation scheduled to begin in February and March 2027.
Up to €2.2 million for interregional projects
SYSTEMEU offers two funding pathways, tailored to the size, geographical reach, and composition of each consortium. Medium-range projects can access up to €1.1 million, with consortia comprising three to five independent legal entities from at least three participating regions and including at least one research organization and one company.
At the highest funding level, flagship projects can receive up to €2.2 million. These projects must bring together five to eight independent entities representing all five SYSTEMEU regions, creating a fully interregional partnership across the project’s European innovation ecosystems. Flagship consortia must also embody the triple helix model of innovation, bringing together at least one research organization, one company, and one public authority or public-sector organization. Individual entities may participate in more than one project; however, the total FSTP funding received by a single organization across all selected projects cannot exceed €600,000.
The €7.55 million FSTP budget will be distributed across the five participating regions, with 25% allocated to Castilla y León, 20% each to Northwest Romania, Tuzla Canton, and Portugal’s Norte Region, and 15% to Bavaria. Funding will be provided through pre-financing, interim, and final payments linked to project implementation and reporting. Funding rates will vary depending on the type and location of each beneficiary. Startups may receive funding of up to 100%, except for those based in Castilla y León, for which the applicable rate is 70%. The funding rate is 70% for SMEs, 50% for large enterprises, and 100% for public-sector bodies, NGOs, and research organizations.
Applications and European Partnerships
The SYSTEMEU FSTP Open Call will accept applications from September 15 to November 16, 2026. Applicants must form interregional consortia of 2–8 partners from 2–5 SYSTEMEU regions, depending on the selected project category. Applications will first undergo a formal eligibility check, followed by an independent expert evaluation based on excellence, impact, and implementation. Each proposal will be assessed by three independent experts and reviewed for compliance with relevant ethical, medical, and data protection requirements. The final ranking and selection will be validated by the Final Evaluation Board, while unsuccessful applicants will have a 14-day appeal period.
To support consortium building, applicants are strongly encouraged to use OpenHubs, SYSTEMEU’s matchmaking platform, as well as networks such as EEN, to identify potential partners across participating regions. The initiative aims not only to support technology development but also to strengthen long-term collaboration between European innovation ecosystems. Further information on eligibility, funding conditions, consortium requirements, and the application process is available on the official SYSTEMEU FSTP Open Call website.
About SYSTEMEU
SYSTEMEU is a Horizon Europe project created to strengthen interconnected European innovation ecosystems and accelerate digital transformation in healthcare, energy, and mobility. By connecting universities, research organizations, companies, public authorities, and innovation actors across different regions, the project aims to reduce territorial innovation gaps, strengthen competitiveness, and support the development of scalable solutions with economic and societal impact. The project began on January 1, 2025, and will run through December 31, 2028, with a total project cost of approximately €14.87 million. SYSTEMEU is funded under Horizon Europe’s European Innovation Ecosystems program and operates under Grant Agreement No. 101161224.
More information: https://systemeuvalley.eu/open-call-for-fstp/
OPENHUBS Community and Application:
https://opportunities.getonepass.eu/open-opportunities/systemeu/systemeu-fstpcall
Image: © SYSTEMEU