Apply for funds (FAQ)

FAQ

• What is microfinancing in Health Hub?

  Microfinancing is typically provided in the early development stages of innovative solutions. 'Micro' indicates a smaller amount, but in addition to the funds, the team also receives mentoring and project management from the Innovation Clinic to advance their solution quickly to the next stage of development. Microfinancing is also referred to as 'soft funding' because the money does not need to be repaid as long as the terms of the funds are adhered to.

• What kind of projects are supported by the funds?

  The project must meet the following criteria:

  • An innovation project addressing an unmet clinical need
  • Demonstrates clear and scalable impact within the healthcare sector

  A project with clinical interest, involving co-creation with at least one department within the North Denmark Region

• Who can apply?

  There are two main target groups eligible to apply for funding:

  • All employees in the North Denmark Region who have identified a clinical issue they would like assistance in solving.

  Any individual, group, or company wishing to develop a novel solution for a clinical issue in collaboration with the North Denmark Region.

• What can the money be used for?

  The money can be used to advance the idea to the next stage(s) by, for example:

  • Clinicians’ or other regional employees’ salary for hours needed to work on the project
  • Proof-of-concept funding for the development of early prototypes
  • Hiring a student assistant or research assistant

  In addition, your project can access specialist expertise within the Innovation Clinic (e.g. project management, market analysis, business development, patent advice, industrial design).

• What if I have an idea but no affiliation with the hospital?

  We can assist you in finding the right clinician(s) to collaborate with through our network. Contact us to learn more.

• What if I have already made a product or solution?

  Health Hub only covers the development of new solutions in close collaboration with clinicians. We do not finance testing of finished products or solutions created without co-creation with the North Denmark Region.

   If you are seeking access to the clinic to test a product or solution, we suggest you contact TRIAL NATION

  If you wish to sell your finished product to the North Denmark Region, we suggest you contact Strategic Procurement.

• What is meant by co-creation?

  Health Hub focuses on the collaborative development of new solutions.

  This means that the hospital and any secondary actor must contribute equally to the development of the solution for the clinical issue. Likewise, ownership of any intellectual property rights (IPR) created during the project will be shared among the partners. Therefore, a collaboration agreement must be signed before Health Hub funds can be distributed. We can assist you in formulating this agreement in collaboration with the legal experts in Region Nordjylland.

• What is an unmet clinical need?

  A clinical need is a problem faced by clinicians, patients, or caregivers for which there is no satisfactory solution. By addressing the issue, value is created for those involved and for society.

• What kind of impact can be created in a clinical environment?

  There are many ways to define impact within the healthcare domain. This may include:

  • Improved clinical outcomes for patients or caregivers (e.g. saving or extending lives, enhancing the quality of life for patients and/or caregivers)
  • Cost reduction (e.g. saving money for the hospital, patient, and/or society)
  • Enhanced clinical experience or workflow (e.g. improving patient/employee flow through the hospital, better decision support, reducing hospital visits for patients, earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment)

  Environmental value improvement (e.g. reusable solutions)

• What are the conditions for receiving a grant?

  If any applicants are not employed by the North Denmark Region, you must produce a signed collaboration agreement between all parties. If you do not already have a collaboration agreement in place at the time of application, we can assist in facilitating this process.

  If you are an individual or a company outside the North Denmark Region or AAU, you must comply with the terms of de minimis aid, where a maximum of 300,000 EUR is disbursed over a period of three fiscal years. More information can be found in the regulation here.

  Funds are generally disbursed retroactively, although exceptions can be made. In this case, please contact us before applying.

• How much money is available?

  In general, between 30,000-100,000 DKK is provided per project. We recommend applying for smaller amounts at a time to reach one or more milestones- with a focus on reaching proof-of-principal or proof-of-concept . If you successfully reach your milestones, you can apply for additional Health Hub funds. If your financing needs are outside the scope of this funding, please contact us for a discussion before applying.

• When should I apply?

  The next round of applications are due by March 3 2024. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in week 12/13.

• How long can the project run?

  There is no set timeline for how long a project can run, but they typically do not exceed one year. We suggest breaking longer projects into shorter milestones and applying multiple times. Currently, Health Hub is funded until the end of 2024, so all projects should be completed within this timeframe.

• How do I apply?

  If you are already affiliated with a project manager through the Innovation Clinic, you can contact them directly. If you are applying independently, please contact us.