Another major funding boost for the medtech field

22 May, 2026

With another substantial funding boost, MedTech Odense aims to accelerate research and innovation projects with the potential to create the healthcare technologies of the future—solutions that make a real difference for patient care within the healthcare system.

The owners, the Region of Southern Denmark and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), have allocated up to DKK 19 million in total in 2026 for the two new MedTech Odense calls, which open today. 

The funding is expected to be distributed as DKK 5–6 million for Need & Idea and DKK 13–14 million for Proof & Validation.

Calls targeting both early-stage ideas and projects ready for testing

Researchers and clinicians can apply for up to DKK 200,000 from Need & Idea to realise ideas and projects in the early development stages—from maturing relevant knowledge and identifying needs and solutions to early concept development.

From Proof & Validation, applicants can seek up to DKK 1,000,000 to further develop ongoing projects focused on bringing solutions and knowledge to a level of maturity where they are ready to be tested, demonstrated, and evaluated in relevant, real-world environments.
 

Many strong solutions stall in the transition from development to testing and implementation—and do not achieve commercialisation and scaling. Therefore, we aim to create momentum on their journey from idea to clinic to market.

The management behind MedTech Odense, Søren E. Frandsen and Thomas Kielsgaard Kristensen, say about the two new calls:

- With these new calls, we once again provide an important financial boost to accelerate research and innovation projects with the potential to create future healthcare technologies and improve patient care, they say.

- This year, with a focus both on the maturation and conceptualisation of very early-stage ideas and on the further development of ongoing projects that are ready to be tested in practice. Many strong solutions stall in the transition from development to testing and implementation—and do not achieve commercialisation and scaling. Therefore, we aim to create momentum on their journey from idea to clinic to market.

The funding from MedTech Odense should be seen as a steppingstone to mature and develop concrete ideas, solutions, and collaborations that can take projects to the next phase.

The application deadline for both calls is 15 September 2026.

Calls consulted with academic and clinical environments

Based on experience and feedback from last year’s calls, a consultation phase was carried out ahead of the launch of the 2026 calls, where a range of academic and clinical environments contributed perspectives and adjustments.

The funding is available to employees at the University of Southern Denmark and within the Region of Southern Denmark—preferably in collaboration with others—so that ideas can grow across disciplines, institutions, and key stakeholders.

All academic disciplines and technologies are welcome, provided there is a clear focus on solutions that are feasible and, in the longer term, commercially scalable within a healthcare context. This means that the solution must have business potential.

Find more information about the calls.