OPEN CALL FOR FSTP

SYSTEMEU provides Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) to fund interregional collaborative projects focused on digital transformation in Healthcare, Energy, and Mobility. The support is addressed to consortia composed of research organizations, companies, and public entities from the five SYSTEMEU regions, and projects must be implemented and tested in real-world environments.

During the implementation of the SYSTEMEU action plan, up to six interregional projects will be selected to form a portfolio of innovative initiatives. The objective is to foster interregional collaboration, promote knowledge and resource sharing, and ensure that the solutions developed are scalable, impactful, and capable of delivering measurable results in operational settings.

To achieve this, SYSTEMEU has earmarked €7.55 million, representing 50.79% of the total action plan budget, to financially support the selected consortia in the development, testing, and validation of innovative digital solutions in the targeted sectors.

What can you Apply For?

SYSTEMEU funds interregional projects that develop, test, and validate innovative digital solutions in real-world environments — across three sectors.

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CALL DETAILS

DURATION

From min 15 to maximum of 18 months.

SCOPE OF
TOPICS

Innovation Action: share resources and test breakthrough technologies in real environments — Healthcare, Energy and Mobility.

Innovation Action. Sharing of resources, assets, capacities and knowledge across regions for the development, testing and/or deployment of breakthrough technologies and/or disruptive innovations in real environment contexts, including prototyping, responding to digital transformation challenges identified by SYSTEMEU in one of the following areas — Healthcare, Energy and Mobility.

Topics will be launched as broader challenges with examples of possible projects in brackets - allowing flexibility to applying consortia.

FSTP
RECIPIENTS

Consortia of R&I actors from Bavaria, Romania, Spain, BiH and Portugal — from 2–3 entities (750k EUR) to flagship projects across all five regions.

Beneficiaries have to be consortia composed by research and innovation actors of any type (profit and non-profit) located in one of the five participating in SYSTEMEU:

  • Bavaria (Germany)
  • Northwest (Romania)
  • Castilla y León (Spain)
  • Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
  • Norte Region (Portugal)

Requirement of consortia in terms of regional coverage and type of actors involved varies depending of the project’s coverage ambition:

For small to medium-sized projects (5-8 projects) two options apply:

Option 1: 2-3 independent legal entities from minimum two regions of SYSTEMEU out of which at least one must be for profit company (of any kind) with a maximum allocated budget of 750.000 EUR
Option 2: 3-5 independent entities from at least 3 different participating regions, including at least one research organisation (RTO, university) and one for profit company (of any kind). For medium sized project of 3-5 entities we anticipate the funding of 1.1 MEUR per project, in any of the three topics of SYSTEMEU
Flagship - full-range project: 5-8 independent entities covering all the 5 participating regions and representing the triple helix: at least one research organisation (RTO, university), one company (of any kind) and one public authority/public sector entity.

SYSTEMEU consortium reserves the right to award additional 2-4 small to medium sized projects in case a flagship project is not submitted.

FUNDING SUPPORT TO
BE RECEIVED

About 1.1M–2.2M EUR per project; 100% non-profit; up to 70% for-profit & startups (70% / 60% / 50% by company size); max 600,000 EUR per Third Party.

1.1M-2,2 M EUR per project, with the following maximum depending of the project’s coverage ambition:

• For five medium-range projects: up to 1.1M EUR
• For one full-range projects: up to 2,2 M EUR

Funding rates (in accordance with the applicable regulations):

100% funding — Non-profit entities: Universities, RTOs, foundations, public bodies.
Up to 70% funding — For-profit entities & startups: All other companies — 30% own resources required.
70% for Small companies · 60% for Medium-sized companies · 50% for Large companies.

Maximum amount to be granted per individual Third Party (in one or more interregional projects): 600,000 EUR

Technology Readiness Levels
(trl)

Projects start at least at TRL 6 and must reach TRL 8 — across Healthcare, Energy and Mobility.

TRL starting: Minimum TRL for starting the project is TRL 6 across the verticals (Healthcare, Energy, Mobility).

TRL ending: TRL 8.

ADDITIONAL
CONDITIONS

Dissemination and exploitation of results; at least one project per sector; cascade funding with prefinancing, interim and final tranches.

Interregional projects will dedicate efforts for the dissemination and exploitation of results.

*Minimum 1 project per sector: Healthcare, Energy, Mobility.

Each ecosystem leader, represented by government, (or other type of entity which on its budget has cascade funding) will directly finance the grantee from their own region following the jointly agreed scheme, as an example:

25% Prefinancing
After signature of the agreement.
50% Interim financing
Halfway through the project.
25% Final financing
Upon submission of reporting, and after final approval by both SYSTEMEU monitoring team and EC.

To be released within 6 months of project end.

PROJECT
EVALUATION

Each proposal is assessed by three independent experts; partner and external evaluators; regional monitoring teams and Q&A communicators.

The independent evaluation will be done by independent evaluators. Each proposal will be evaluated by 3 independent experts which must ratify Confidentiality and ‘Non-conflict of interests’ statements before starting the evaluation:

1 Partner expert. The Partners’ experts have to be independent from applicants and cannot be members of SYSTEMEU Evaluation Board responsible for final decision on selection. Partner expert can be an employee of SYSTEMEU BEN however not actively or directly working on the project and can be either internal or external expert of BEN working in a different department but having expertise (innovation and domain) for the topic in question. Each regional coordinator of SYSTEMEU will allocate 3 experts, one for each topic, who will be paired with external evaluators.
2 External experts. These external experts must be independent from the applicants and cannot be Consortium partners employees, permanent collaborators nor board members. SCE will set up a pool of evaluators from external experts in facilitating cross-border deep-tech projects, and be appointed according to the specific characteristics of the applicants; as indicated in chapter 3 of the Proposal, the subcontracting budget has been allocated to cover their fees as evaluators.
Monitoring Team: Each region will allocate 4 contacts who will make monitoring teams for the projects selected. These contacts will act at the same time as info personnel in the period of starting info sessions until call closure as Q&A communicators. The Q&A aspects will be provided on the landing page but also within the Open hubs community where the personnel will be visible.

IMPORTANT
DATES

Call from June 2026; evaluation autumn 2026; results December 2026; contracts from January 2027; projects from February 2027.

Open Call: Anticipated start in June 2026, open until October 1st - 15th, 2026.
Evaluation: October 1st/15th to November 30th, 2026.
Communication of results: December 1st, 2026.
Appeal procedure: 2 weeks.
Contract signing: Initiation on January 1st, 2027.
Start of projects: February 1st, 2027.
Max duration: 20 months, closing by August 2028.

PROJECT
MONITORING

Each funded project gets a monitoring group with one representative per ecosystem whose beneficiary is in the project.

Each funded project will receive a project officer group from SYSTEMEU:

Project Monitoring Group: Will consist of 1 representative from each ecosystem whose BEN is involved in the project.

FUNDING
ALLOCATION

Support distributed across the five regions — illustrative shares e.g. Castilla y León 25%, several regions 20%, Bavaria 15%.

Distribution of support to FSTP recipients located in the following regions:

Bavaria (Germany): 15%
Northwest (Romania): 20%
Castilla y León (Spain): 25%
Norte Region of Portugal: 20%
Tuzla Canton (Bosnia Herzegovina): 20%

TYPE OF
BENEFICIARIES

Research & innovation organisations, companies of any size, public authorities and public-sector bodies (Healthcare, Energy, Mobility).

The eligible entity types are:

Research & Innovation Organisations: Universities, RTOs, research centres — profit and non-profit.
Companies of any size: SMEs, startups, ScaleUps, large enterprises — involved in R&I.
Public authorities: Involved in innovation policies or digital transformation.
Public sector entities: Services related to Healthcare, Energy, or Mobility.

COMPOSITION OF
CONSORTIA

Medium-range: 2–5 entities across 2–3 regions with RTO and company; full-range: 5–8 entities, all regions, triple helix.

Minimum requirements for independent entities participating in the call:

Medium-range projects: 2-3 or 3-5 entities from at least 2 or 3 different participating regions. Must include at least one research organisation (RTO, university) and one for-profit company.
Full-range projects: 5-8 entities covering all 5 participating regions. Must represent the triple helix: at least one research organisation, one company, and one public authority/public sector entity.

FUNDING
AMOUNT & RATE

Max 600,000 EUR per beneficiary; 100% non-profit; up to 70% for-profit & startups (70% / 60% / 50% by company size).

Max FSTP per individual entity: 600,000 EUR across all projects combined. The funding amount per BEN is not minimally set, but cannot exceed that limit.

Funding rates (granted in accordance with the applicable regulations):

100% funding — Non-profit entities: Universities, RTOs, foundations, public bodies.
Up to 70% funding — For-profit entities & startups: All other companies — 30% own resources required.
70% for Small companies · 60% for Medium-sized companies · 50% for Large companies.

PARTICIPATION IN
MULTIPLE PROJECTS

One entity may join several projects at once; total funding per entity across all projects cannot exceed 600,000 EUR.

One entity (applicant) can be part of multiple projects at the same time.

Budget Limit: The overall budget per entity across all projects cannot exceed 600,000 EUR.

Success Cases and Project Examples.

Real case studies from SYSTEMEU partner regions — showing how interregional co-creation turns startup innovations into scalable, compliant European products.

The Challenge

Rail infrastructure operators rely on manual, high-risk pantograph inspections that are costly, infrequent, and increasingly misaligned with regulatory requirements. The question was not just gathering data but fulfilling officially required inspections through automated, digital means.

The Solution

Through intensive Co-Creation Workshops with HGK AG (Cologne), PANTOhealth pivoted from sensor data collection to a Regulatory Compliance Solution: hardware robust enough for permanent commercial operation, replacing manual inspections with automated, legally valid digital processes.

The Utrecht Scale-Up

Because the product was hardened and compliance-ready through the HGK project, PANTOhealth won Utrecht Tram (Netherlands) as a new customer — proving that co-creation creates a blueprint for international scaling. The lessons from Germany directly improved the Dutch deployment.

Results & Global Impact

  • 20 customers across 15+ countries, including major urban networks
  • Product redefined as a "must-have", not a "nice-to-have" — regulatory leadership
  • Significant funding round closed on the back of commercial momentum
  • SCE Projects validated as "Translator" reducing corporate risk while accelerating startup readiness

"Co-creation is more than a pilot; it is a product development engine. By focusing on regulatory pain points and cross-border feedback loops, we transformed a startup innovation into a global industry standard."

PANTOhealth (Bavaria) · SCE Projects — SYSTEMEU Bavarian Case Study

Consortium Partners

DE PANTOhealth (Bavaria) — Innovator DE HGK AG (Cologne) — First Mover / Real-World Lab NL Utrecht Tram (Netherlands) — Scale-Up Customer DE SCE Projects — Co-Creation Architect

The Challenge

The healthcare sector requires next-generation medical adhesives capable of ensuring strong adhesion while protecting skin integrity. Conventional medical adhesives cause significant skin damage — especially for elderly, neonatal or dermatologically fragile patients.

The Solution

BestHealth4U developed a bio-based medical adhesive technology that interacts with the natural structure of human skin rather than relying on aggressive chemical glues. The platform was extended into smart dressings with AI-enabled wound monitoring capabilities.

Co-Creation Journey

  • Development of proprietary bio-adhesive technology platforms
  • Collaboration with INL (nanotechnology), CeNTI (smart materials), i3S (biomedical) and Health Cluster Portugal
  • Participation in European health innovation programs and accelerators
  • Venture investment from Lince Capital to accelerate commercialisation
  • European Innovation Council Accelerator funding to scale market deployment

Results & Impact

  • Safer medical adhesives for fragile and sensitive skin
  • AI-enabled wound monitoring solutions deployed
  • Next-generation smart medical dressings in development
  • Strengthening the European MedTech innovation ecosystem through research-industry collaboration

"By combining biomaterials science, digital health technologies and sustainable innovation, BestHealth4U is redefining how medical devices interact with the skin — improving patient outcomes while advancing the future of patient-centric healthcare."

BestHealth4U (Norte, Portugal) — SYSTEMEU Norte of Portugal Case Study

Consortium Partners

PT BestHealth4U — MedTech Innovator PT INL — Nanotechnology Research PT CeNTI — Smart Materials PT i3S — Biomedical Research PT Health Cluster Portugal 🇪🇺 European Innovation Council (EIC) Lince Capital — Strategic Investor

The Challenge

The agri-food sector requires alternative proteins with a lower environmental footprint and scalable industrial production. Global demand for sustainable protein was growing, but insect-based biotechnology lacked industrial-scale validation and investment confidence.

The Solution

Tebrio developed proprietary technology for breeding and processing Tenebrio molitor (mealworms) at industrial scale — producing sustainable proteins for animal nutrition, lipids, and biofertilizers, responding to growing demand across agriculture and biotechnology sectors.

The Growth Journey

  • Proprietary insect-breeding and processing technology
  • Supported by a €30M investment round (Santander Bank, Sodical, GPC Consulting, CDTI Innvierte)
  • Construction of a 90,000 m² industrial facility in Salamanca
  • Scientific R&D with CETIM Technology Centre and IRNASA–CSIC
  • Awarded "Best Deal" at Startup Olé 2022

Results & Impact

  • >100,000 tonnes/year production capacity
  • Global leadership in insect-based biotechnology
  • Supports sustainable bioeconomy, circular agriculture and food resilience
  • Strengthens Spain (Castilla y León) as a biotech innovation hub
  • Strong public–private collaboration model

"Biotechnology and industrial innovation can transform sustainable agriculture. By scaling insect-based production systems, Tebrio is helping build a more resilient and environmentally responsible global food ecosystem."

Tebrio (Salamanca, Castilla y León) — SYSTEMEU USAL Case Study

Consortium Partners

ES Tebrio — Innovator (Salamanca) ES Santander Bank — Financial Partner ES Sodical — Regional Investor (CyL) ES CDTI Innvierte — Public Innovation ES CETIM Technology Centre — R&D ES IRNASA–CSIC — Scientific Research

The Challenge

The industrial sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces a low level of automation, shortage of skilled labour, outdated production technologies, and limited productivity. SMEs lack the resources to test new technologies before committing capital investment.

The Solution: "Test Before Invest"

Industrial Hub Tuzla operates as a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) providing companies with access to modern equipment, industrial robots, and expert knowledge. Through the "test before invest" approach, companies can test new technologies, analyse production processes and assess investment feasibility before committing.

Mission

To support the digital transformation and growth of SMEs by promoting the use of industrial robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing technologies — with direct access to international innovation ecosystems via SCE Munich and European networks.

Results (2 Years of Operation)

  • 30+ individuals educated in industrial automation and robotics
  • 7 companies actively supported through the DIH
  • 5 international projects completed or underway
  • 20+ international events participated in
  • Proven public–private–research collaboration model replicable across SYSTEMEU regions

"Industrial Hub Tuzla demonstrates how collaboration between industry, public institutions, and innovation organisations can accelerate the digital transformation of manufacturing and create new opportunities for the growth of SMEs."

Industrial Hub Tuzla (Tuzla Canton, BiH) — SYSTEMEU Tuzla Canton Case Study

Consortium Partners

BA Industrial Automation Tuzla BA Ministry of Economy, Tuzla Canton DE SCE — Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (Munich) BA FITT — Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer BA CRP — Center for Development and Support

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101161224

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

 

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