Ulster University has been awarded €9.1 million in funding supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme supported by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to drive forward research and innovation in digital health and MedTech.
The funding will support the development of the Health Frontiers Technology Innovation Centre (HF-TIC), a multidisciplinary initiative focused on advancing MedTech and digital health solutions.
As part of the Belfast Region City Deal’s Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT), it unites over 20 partners from Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland to drive innovation in medical devices, healthcare digital transformation and AI-driven health solutions, strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical partners.
Led by Ulster University, which has over 40 years of experience in health technology innovation, HF-TIC will build upon a 20-year partnership strengthened by the INTERREGVA Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering Centre (ECME).
The initiative will bring together leading research organisations, including Ulster University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Atlantic Technological University in Ireland and the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre and the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.
Clinical expertise will be provided by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
The project will also work in collaboration with 25 MedTech SMEs from across the Programme area, including the Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland – HIRANI, each contributing to bespoke cross-border R&I projects. Through co-design and knowledge transfer, HF-TIC aims to:
- Provide local SMEs with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace by fostering the development of new products and increasing profitability.
- Strengthen the MedTech ecosystem by enhancing innovation, co-ideation and skills development, contributing to sustained economic growth.
- Improve patient care pathways, leading to better health outcomes for local populations.
Professor of Biomedical Engineering James McLaughlin welcomed the funding award, saying:
“We are delighted to secure this significant funding for the Health Frontiers Technology Innovation Centre, which will play a pivotal role in transforming MedTech and digital health innovation. By bringing together leading researchers, industry experts, and clinical partners across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Scotland, HF-TIC will accelerate the development of next-generation healthcare solutions that have the potential to improve lives and drive economic regeneration.”
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of SEUPB, commented:
“By investing in collaborative innovation through projects like HF-TIC, we are creating strong, entrepreneurial ecosystems that drive sustainable growth, increased productivity, and competitive advantage. We look forward to supporting the research organisations, enterprises, and SMEs involved in this project as they work towards delivering cutting-edge solutions in healthcare technology.”
Ulster University’s leadership in the HF-TIC project underscores its commitment to pioneering research that addresses societal challenges, supports local economies, and enhances cross-border cooperation in the rapidly evolving MedTech sector.