About Innovative Medicines Initiative  (IMI) - Funding Process

Based on the IMI Strategic Research Agenda, the Executive Office will publish calls for proposals addressing specific topics of interest. Groups of partners (academic institutions, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, biopharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, patients etc.) will form Public-Private Collaborations to propose research projects and apply to IMI for funding.

These Public-Private Collaborations will submit applications to the IMI Executive Office for funding. Each project will be reviewed using a transparent peer review process, based on scientific excellence and the applicant’s ability to deliver.  For approved projects public funds will go to participants from public organizations, patient groups, start-ups and small and medium enterprises while the large bio-pharmaceutical companies will donate their research contributions.

The European Union’s 7th Research Framework Programme will fund academic participants in the Public-Private Collaborations and support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, while the biopharmaceutical companies will fund their own contributions 100%. Other types of organisations participating in Public-Private Collaborations will be supported on a case-by-case basis. With this structure, public money will be used to exclusively boost the R&D capabilities of the public sector and of small biotech companies.