Agenda of the Lunch & Learn-event
11:00 - 11:05 am: Welcome words
11:05 - 11:15 am: Overview of the healthcare sector in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Romy Wentenschuh, Project manager for International Affairs and EU-projects | BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH
Manuel Mielke, Manager for Internationalisation USA and United Kingdom | Baden-Württemberg International GmbH (BW-i)
11:15 - 11:25 am: Overview of the healthcare sector in the United Kingdom
Dr. Rashmi Raju, Regulatory and Market Access Manager | Medilink UK
11:25 - 11:40 am: R&D funding process in Germany
11:40 - 12:10 am: R&D funding processes in the United Kingdom: Innovate UK, Eurostars
- 11:40 - 11:55 am: `R&D funding opportunities in the United Kingdom – Innovate UK & Eureka Eurostars`
Dr. Ulrike Knies-Bamforth, International Collaboration and Innovation Specialist/Innovate UK Business Growth | Scottish Enterprise - 11:55 am - 12:00 pm: `R&D Funding and Financial Incentives in Scotland`
Katharina Krähahn, Senior Executive | Scottish Development International - 12:00 - 12:05 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 - 12:05 - 12:10 pm: `R&D Funding for Collaboration with Wales in the Life Sciences`
Baudewijn Morgan, Head of the “Horizon Europe” Unit | Welsh Government
12:10 - 12:25 pm: Case study from a Life science company from Baden-Württemberg
12:25 - 12:40 pm: Case study from a Life science company from the United Kingdom
12:40 - 12:55 pm: Questions & Answers
12:55 - 01:00 pm: Closing Remarks and Outlook
Moderator: Romy Wentenschuh, Project Manager for International Affairs & EU Projects | BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH
Life Sciences in Baden-Württemberg and the United Kingdom: Advancing innovation together
Life sciences are among Germany’s most innovation-intensive sectors. Medical technology companies with active research programmes invest an average of around 9% of their turnover in research and development (R&D). Many innovations are developed by SMEs in close collaboration with hospitals, doctors and other users.¹
For German-British R&D collaboration projects, Innovate UK and the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM), run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), offer bilateral funding opportunities. UK partners receive funding through Innovate UK, while German partners are funded through ZIM. The programmes focus on cross-technology and cross-sector collaborations with strong innovation and market potential, including in healthcare, biotechnology and medical technology. ZIM is currently subject to a temporary pause on applications.²
However, this pause does not apply to the 5th call for German-British R&D projects, which opened on 28th of September 2026. The call is open until 1st of December 2026 and welcomes applications from German and British SMEs. German SMEs are subject to the funding conditions set out in the ZIM funding guidelines. British SMEs can receive grants covering up to 70% of project costs, up to a maximum of £350,000; research and technology organisations can receive up to 100%, up to a maximum of £105,000. Projects run for 12 to 24 months.³
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) supports high-risk, pre-competitive R&D projects by SMEs through “KMU-innovativ: Medical Technology” and “KMU-innovativ: Biomedicine”. The cut-off dates for project outlines are 15 April and 15 October. Clinical validation is supported through a separate funding measure.⁴˒⁵˒⁶
Our Lunch & Learn event will offer insights into the healthcare markets of Baden-Württemberg and the United Kingdom, as well as German and British R&D funding programmes. Practical examples from life sciences companies in both regions will illustrate how these funding opportunities can be used and what experiences the companies have had.
Through the b2match matchmaking platform, participants can identify potential partners ahead of MEDICA 2026. At the BW-UK networking evening on 18 November 2026, at the Baden-Württemberg joint stand G24 in Hall 15 at MEDICA, participants will have the opportunity to develop these connections in person.
The event is organised in collaboration with the UK partners in the BW-UK economic partnership initiative: Scottish Development International; the BW-UK Office of Baden-Württemberg International (BW-i); the Department for Business, Innovation, Sciences and Trade (DBT); the Welsh Government; and Invest Northern Ireland. It is also organised with MEDICA 2026’s UK partner, Medilink UK, and supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism.
The initiative aims to strengthen networking and the development of collaborations 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 ZIM (BMWE)
Bilateral German-British research and development funding for business collaborations in areas such as medical technology, diagnostics, digital health and biotechnology. In the United Kingdom, funding is provided through Innovate UK, while German funding is provided through the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) of the BMWE. AiF Projekt GmbH is responsible for ZIM collaborative projects. For international ZIM calls, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH also serves as a point of contact for international collaborations.¹
Eureka-Eurostars-3
Funding for international research and development projects led by innovative SMEs and aimed at developing market-ready solutions, for example in medical technology, diagnostics and biotechnology. The DLR Project Management Agency, which serves as the German EUREKA Office, is the central point of contact for German applicants.²
Horizon Europe – Cluster 1 “Health”
European collaborative research funding for businesses, universities, hospitals and research institutions, including in the areas of prevention, diagnostics, treatment, biotechnology and digital health. The European Commission provides the funding. Applications are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Advice is available from the relevant National Contact Points (NCPs).³
BMFTR – KMU-innovativ: Medical Technology
Funding for high-risk, pre-competitive research and development projects by SMEs, for example in the fields of medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. The project management agency is VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH.⁴
BMFTR – KMU-innovativ: Biomedicine
Funding for high-risk research and development projects in medical biotechnology and drug development. The project is managed by Projektträger Jülich.⁵
