Agenda of the Lunch & Learn-event
11:00 am: Welcome words
11:05 - 11:12 am: Overview of the healthcare market in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Romy Wentenschuh, Project manager for International Affairs and EU-projects | BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH
11:12 - 11:20 am: Overview of the healthcare market in the United Kingdom
Dr. Rashmi Raju, Regulatory and Market Access Manager | Medilink UK
11:20 - 11:35 am: R&D funding process in Germany
11:35 - 12:00 am: R&D funding processes in the United Kingdom: Innovate UK, Eurostars
- 11:35 - 11:50 am: Innovate UK / Scottish Enterprise
- 11:50 - 11:55 am: `R&D Funding and Financial Incentives in Scotland`: Katharina Krähahn, Senior Executive | Scottish Development International
- 11:55 am - 12:00 pm: `R&D in Northern Ireland`: Jack A Stallworthy MBE, Regional Trade Manager Germany, Austria & Switzerland and Head of Health & Life Sciences | Invest Northern Ireland
12:00 - 12:15 pm: Case study from a medical technology company from Baden-Württemberg
12:15 - 12:30 pm: Case study from a medical technology company from the United Kingdom
12:30 - 12:50 pm: Questions & Answers
12:50 - 01:00 pm: Closing Remarks and Outlook
Life Sciences: Advancing Innovation Together
Life sciences are among Germany’s most innovative sectors. On average, R&D-active medical technology companies invest around 9% of their turnover in research and development (R&D). Many innovations are developed by SMEs in close cooperation with hospitals, physicians and other users.¹
For German–UK R&D projects, Innovate UK and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) offer bilateral funding opportunities. UK partners are funded through Innovate UK, while German partners are generally funded through the BMWE’s Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM). The programmes focus on cross-sector and cross-technology cooperation with strong innovation and market potential, including projects in healthcare, biotechnology and medical technology. A temporary suspension of applications for ZIM funding is currently in place.²
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) supports high-risk, pre-competitive R&D projects by SMEs through the programme “KMU-innovativ: Medical Technology”. The assessment cut-off dates for project outlines are 15 April and 15 October. Clinical validation is supported through a separate funding measure.³ ⁴
Our Lunch & Learn event provides information on the healthcare markets of Baden-Württemberg and the United Kingdom, opportunities for cooperation and relevant funding programmes. Medical technology companies will share practical examples and insights into the joint development and commercialisation of innovative solutions.
Through the b2match matchmaking platform, participants can identify potential partners ahead of MEDICA 2026. At the BW–UK Networking Evening on 18 November 2026, participants will have the opportunity to meet these contacts in person and explore potential cooperation at the Baden-Württemberg joint stand, G24 in Hall 15, at MEDICA.
The event is organised in cooperation with the UK partners of the BW–UK economic partnership initiative: Scottish Development International, the BW–UK Office of Baden-Württemberg International (BW-i), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Welsh Government, Invest Northern Ireland and the British partner of MEDICA 2026, Medilink UK. The event is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Crafts and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg.
The initiative aims to strengthen networking and cooperation between Baden-Württemberg and the United Kingdom, particularly in the healthcare sector. BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg supports the initiative together with its partners.
Funding Opportunities for Life Sciences
Innovate UK and BMWE/ZIM
Bilateral German-British R&D funding for corporate collaborations in fields such as medical technology, diagnostics, digital health, and biotechnology. Funding in the UK is provided through Innovate UK, while funding in Germany is provided through the BMWE’s ZIM programme. AiF Projekt GmbH is responsible for ZIM collaboration projects. For international ZIM calls for proposals, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH also serves as the point of contact for international collaborations.¹
Eurostars-3
Funding for international R&D projects led by innovative SMEs to develop marketable solutions, for example in medical technology, diagnostics, and biotechnology. The DLR Project Management Agency, acting as the German EUREKA Office, serves as the central point of contact for German applicants.²
Horizon Europe – Cluster 1 “Health”
European collaborative research funding for companies, universities, hospitals, and research institutions, including projects in the fields of prevention, diagnostics, therapy, biotechnology, and digital health. The funding body is the European Commission, and applications are submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Advice is provided by the relevant National Contact Points (NCPs).³
BMFTR – KMU-innovativ: Medical Technology
Funding for high-risk, pre-competitive R&D projects by SMEs, for example in the areas of medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. The project management agency is VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH.⁴
BMFTR – KMU-innovativ: Biomedizin
Funding for high-risk R&D projects in medical biotechnology and drug development. The project is administered by Projektträger Jülich. 5
1. zim
2. projekttraeger.dlr
3. research-and-innovation.ec.europa
4. bmftr.bund
5. bmftr.bund
