Paediatric Hospital Innovation Challenge 2026 Opens to Hospital‑Led Projects Across Europe and the UK

Innovative paediatric hospitals are invited to apply for the Paediatric Hospital Innovation Challenge 2026, a European call designed to identify and showcase high‑impact, scalable innovations developed within hospital settings. Selected projects will be presented at the Paediatric Innovation Day 2026 in Helsinki.

The Paediatric Hospital Innovation Challenge 2026 is now open for applications. Jointly organised by i4KIDS, i4KIDS‑EUROPE and the European Children’s Hospitals Organisation (ECHO), this initiative aims to identify pioneering projects developed within paediatric hospitals that address unmet clinical, organisational and patient‑centred needs in maternal and child health.

Paediatric hospitals are key drivers of innovation, with healthcare professionals and multidisciplinary teams developing solutions directly from real‑world clinical practice. This challenge seeks to highlight those hospital‑led initiatives with demonstrated impact and strong potential to be scaled and adopted across health systems in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Showcasing Hospital‑Led Innovation at the European Level

The Paediatric Hospital Innovation Challenge 2026 focuses exclusively on innovations that originate within paediatric hospitals or paediatric departments. The initiative recognises projects that improve clinical practice, patient outcomes, efficiency or experience, while also demonstrating a clear pathway for transferability to other institutions.

Up to five finalist projects will be selected to present at the Paediatric Innovation Day (PID), taking place on 18 September 2026 in Helsinki. The event brings together paediatric hospitals, innovators, healthcare leaders and ecosystem stakeholders from across Europe, providing a unique platform for visibility, collaboration and knowledge exchange.

What Types of Projects Can Apply?

The call is open to a wide range of hospital‑led innovations, including:

• Clinical innovation and new models of care
• Digital health and data‑driven solutions
• Organisational or process innovations with clinical impact
• Diagnostic, care delivery or patient monitoring approaches
• Patient‑ and family‑centred solutions
• Innovations improving equity, access or continuity of paediatric care

Projects may be at different stages of maturity but must demonstrate a clear value proposition, evidence of impact in at least one hospital setting, and realistic potential for adoption beyond the originating organisation.

Who Can Apply?

The Paediatric Hospital Innovation Challenge 2026 is open to:

• Paediatric hospitals or paediatric departments based in Europe or the UK
• Healthcare professionals, researchers, hospital innovation units or multidisciplinary hospital teams
• Projects focused on paediatric health for patients under the age of 18

Projects led primarily by external companies or start‑ups without hospital ownership or origin are not eligible. All applicants must also be available to present their project in person at the Paediatric Innovation Day in Helsinki.

Application Process and Key Dates

Applications must be submitted through the official application form and completed in English. Each submission should clearly outline:

• The problem addressed
• The innovative solution
• The role of the hospital
• The impact achieved or expected
• The project’s scalability and transfer potential

Key dates:

• Applications open: 11 May 2026
• Application deadline: 14 June 2026 (23.59h CEST)
• Finalist announcement: 26 June 2026

All applications will undergo an eligibility check followed by evaluation by an expert committee appointed by the organisers.

Present at the Paediatric Innovation Day 2026

Selected projects will receive:

• A reserved pitch slot at the Paediatric Innovation Day 2026
• International visibility within the European paediatric innovation ecosystem
• Access to networking and collaboration opportunities with hospitals, investors and key stakeholders
• The opportunity to take part in the Pitch Competition and compete for an economic prize

Participation in the event is free of charge, although travel and accommodation costs must be covered by the participating teams.