This project has already been completed.

Exploit opportunities, mastering challenges

UK-BW: Opportunities and challenges for the healthcare industry

As part of the United Kingdom - Baden-Württemberg (UK-BW) partnership initiative, which was launched in 2020 by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism, the British Consulate General and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the aim is to strengthen networking and establish cooperation between economic regions. BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg supports this initiative with topics from the healthcare industry.

Baden-Württemberg and the United Kingdom are excellently positioned in the healthcare industry - the biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical sectors - with strong clusters of innovative companies and applied research institutes.

In addition to traditional business relationships, there are numerous opportunities for cooperation in joint research and development projects. BIOPRO offers you a platform for exchanging ideas and forging new relationships with players in the UK at (networking) events.

At the same time, there are specific challenges for companies in the healthcare industry with regard to market access as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. For example, a new regulatory framework for medical devices in the UK is currently being drafted and is due to come into force in July 2024 after a one-year delay.
The healthcare system in the UK - the National Health Service (NHS) - is a pioneer in terms of sustainability and has set out ambitious plans for a climate-neutral healthcare system. This target has major implications for sales of medical devices and pharmaceutical products in the UK and is increasingly influencing NHS procurement decisions. BIOPRO supports this by providing information in the form of contributions and information events.

Press Release from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Tourism of the state of Baden-Württemberg

Brexit – Reshaping cooperation

Brexit has taken effect. As of January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom left the European single market and the customs union. The trade and cooperation agreement, which has been provisionally in force since then, allows trade to continue under new conditions. Given the close economic ties between United Kingdom and Baden-Württemberg, the state government is committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible and to building a close, long-term economic partnership that extends beyond Brexit. Through the Brexit contact point and partnership initiative, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Tourism Baden-Württemberg provides businesses and employees with advice and support on all related matters.

BIOPRO Contact:

Romy Wentenschuh
Phone: +49 (0)711 218185 79
E-mail: wentenschuh(at)bio-pro.de

Guidance & information:

Keep your business moving

Brexit transition information by the British Government

New rules apply to things like travel and doing business with Europe. Use the Brexit checker to get a personalised list of actions for you, your business and your family.

Germany Trade & Invest

GTAI Brexit Special

The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union has led to a reorientation of business worldwide. GTAI advises and supports British and international companies seeking to establish business operations in Germany.

UK future Medical Device Regulation:

Open in new window: Information of UK Government from July 3, 2024

Articles:

Open in new window: New medical device marking requirements and regulations in Great Britain

Open in new window: National Health Service working towards climate neutrality

Upcoming events:

Open in new window: United Kingdom guidance seminars | UKCA & Placing goods on the market

Open in new window: Lunch & Learn event on R&D Funding in Germany and the United Kingdom | November 4, 2026 | online

Open in new window: BW-UK Networking Evening at the MEDICA Trade Show | November 18, 2026

Funding opportunities for R&D projects between UK and Germany:

You are looking for cooperation partners for a specific R&D project in Baden-Württemberg or the UK in the area of health. BIOPRO and the UK partners will be happy to support you. Get in contact!

R&D grants for german companies in the healthcare industry

The BMWK (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) - now known as the BMWE - is responsible for establishing the policy and financial framework for the Central Innovation Program (ZIM) for SMEs. It

establishes the ZIM funding guidelines and eligibility criteria,
provides the necessary budgetary resources,
determines which types of projects are eligible for funding,
commissions and supervises the project management organizations,
and develops international funding partnerships, such as with Innovate UK.

The ministry itself does not handle the actual processing of applications; instead, this is carried out by a commissioned project management organization, such as AiF Projekt GmbH. This organization reviews the applications, monitors the projects, and disburses the approved funding.

Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM)

The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) is a federal funding program open to all technologies and industries for SMEs* in Germany. ZIM supports German SMEs in developing innovative products, processes, and services. In German-British research projects, ZIM can serve as the German funding basis, thereby advancing joint innovations in the healthcare sector.

Current notice: As of July 7, 2026, applications for ZIM grants cannot be accepted on a temporary basis. You can find more information here.

Open in new window: ZIM (Central Innovation Program for small and medium-sized enterprises): 3rd Call for Proposals for German-British R&D Projects - Deadline: June 3, 2024.

KMU-innovativ: Medical Technology

A german funding program for high-risk, pre-competitive research and development projects carried out by SMEs*. The program focuses on innovative medical devices, digital medical devices, and in vitro diagnostics, often in collaboration with research institutions and clinical partners. As a rule, the British project partner must secure its own funding.

F&E Förderung für britische Unternehmen der Gesundheitswirtschaft

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the UK’s funding agency for innovation. Through thematic calls for proposals, it awards non-repayable grants for research, development, and innovation projects. Funding is primarily directed toward UK companies - particularly SMEs* -that wish to develop and subsequently commercialize new products, processes, or services. Funding conditions and grant rates vary depending on the call for proposals.

R&D funding for german and british companies

As part of bilateral funding calls, the BMWK and Innovate UK are collaborating to support joint German-British research and development projects. The German partners receive funding through the Central Innovation Program for SMEs* (ZIM), while the British partners apply for funding through Innovate UK.

Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)

Of particular interest to the medical technology, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and digital health sectors. IHI funds public-private, cross-sector research projects involving companies, universities, research institutions, hospitals, and patient organizations. Since the United Kingdom is associated with Horizon Europe, British partners may be eligible for funding depending on the call for proposals. You can find more information here.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship funding program for research and innovation. It supports international collaboration - including between German and British partners - and helps turn innovative ideas into marketable solutions for the healthcare sector.

Horizon Europe will be replaced by FP10

The Horizon Europe research framework program will expire in 2027. For its successor program, FP10 (2028–2034), the European Commission is proposing a budget of 175 billion euros. On June 29, 2026, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the European Research Council (ERC) discussed the future design of the program at a joint conference in Brussels and provided input from the scientific community.

You can find more information here.

Open in new window: UK joins Horizon Europe programme: Update 1st January 2024

UK–Germany Bilateral Collaborative R&D Program

Funding is provided through a bilateral call for proposals. The UK partner submits an application to Innovate UK, while the German partner submits an application through ZIM, for example. Both applications must be approved.

Eurostars-3

Eurostars supports international R&D projects involving innovative SMEs*.

The German-British project is submitted through the Eurostars process. The British partner applies for its share through Innovate UK, and the German partner through the relevant German funding agency. The consortium must meet the Eurostars criteria, including the participation of innovative SMEs from at least two participating countries.

Open in new window: Eurostars: Next application date ends on September 10, 2026

*Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are economically independent businesses with fewer than 250 employees that have either an annual revenue of no more than 50 million euros or total assets of no more than 43 million euros.

More Information:

Genesis Workshop | Innovation opportunities in Baden-Württemberg`s Healthcare sector | December 4, 2023

Presentation of Baden-Württemberg as a healthcare location by BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH and LinkHealth@BW Clusters: BioRN Network e.V., BioPharma Cluster South Germany e.V., BadenCampus GmbH & Co.KG and CUBEX ONE.

Open in new window: Brexit and Partnership initiative

BW-UK Economic Partnership Initiative

As part of the project, BIOPRO is cooperating with partners from the UK, the Department for Business and Trade, Scottish Development International, Welsh Government and London & Partners Limited as well as other thematic clusters - like Invest Northern Ireland. There is also close cooperation with the BW-UK-Office, which is headed by Nicola Pinder (UK Representative, Baden-Württemberg international).

Flyer

Economic Partnership Initiative UK-BW

The economic relations between the United Kingdom (UK) and Baden-Württemberg (BW) have traditionally been strong. The basis for future cooperation is very solid. Against the trend of the current uncertainties, the British Consulate General and the UK‘s Department for Business and Trade as well as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg have developed a vision, a draft strategy and first concrete activities for cooperation.