How can innovative ideas in healthcare be transformed into practical solutions? With the European project THRIVE, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg), together with partners from across Europe, is establishing new structures to support students, researchers, and healthcare organizations in systematically developing innovations. For the Department of Health Sciences, the project opens up new opportunities in research, teaching, and international collaboration.
Within the European project THRIVE (Transforming Healthcare Research into Validated Solutions through Alliance-KIC Cooperation), led by the International University of Catalonia, ten universities from nine countries belonging to the European university alliance EduCare 5.0 are working together to accelerate the transfer of healthcare innovations into practice. FH Salzburg is the only Austrian higher education institution participating in the initiative, with the goal of strengthening international collaboration in the healthcare sector on a sustainable basis.
FH Salzburg Rector Dominik Engel explains:
“Our participation in the European university alliance EduCare 5.0 and the award of the Seal of Excellence have created important foundations for the international networking of FH Salzburg. We can now build on these achievements and strengthen long-term collaborations with universities, companies, and healthcare institutions, both regionally and across Europe. At the same time, we are further expanding the role of the Department of Health Sciences as an innovation partner for the healthcare system of the future in research, teaching, and practice.”
From Idea to Innovation
In healthcare, promising ideas often fail not because of their quality, but because of a lack of structures that support further development. This is precisely where THRIVE comes in. The project helps students, researchers, and healthcare professionals systematically assess, refine, and advance innovative concepts, ultimately leading to practical implementation or even the creation of start-ups.
“The healthcare sector offers enormous innovation potential. THRIVE aims to establish a sustainable innovation infrastructure that supports people in turning ideas into viable innovations or even new businesses. The challenge is to transform the many promising concepts into practical solutions, particularly in the highly regulated healthcare sector,” explains Geja Oostingh, Project Lead and Head of the Department of Health Sciences at FH Salzburg.
From Validation to Market Readiness
As part of the project, FH Salzburg is responsible for developing a validation tool that systematically evaluates innovative healthcare ideas and supports their further development. The goal is to create a transparent and structured pathway from the initial concept to a market-ready innovation.
The tool will help assess aspects such as an idea’s innovation potential, practical applicability, and compliance with regulatory requirements. A particular focus is placed on digitalization, which holds significant potential for addressing growing challenges within healthcare systems and supporting healthcare professionals in their work.
THRIVE builds on the experience gained through its predecessor project, DigiCare Innovation, in which FH Salzburg also participated. That project laid important foundations for entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer in healthcare while establishing initial collaborations with practice partners. For example, start-ups can test their solutions in real-world healthcare settings together with healthcare institutions.
Bringing Research into Education
In addition to research and innovation, education plays a central role in THRIVE. The project aims to introduce healthcare students at an early stage to topics such as innovation, digitalization, and entrepreneurship, equipping them with the skills needed to develop and implement their own projects.
Planned activities include new teaching formats focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, mentoring programs, international training opportunities and workshops, as well as expanded exchange formats within the European university network. Relevant content will be incorporated into the ongoing revision of healthcare study programs. This process is already underway through the integration of results from the DigiCare Innovation project into teaching activities.
About THRIVE
THRIVE (Transforming Healthcare Research into Validated Solutions through Alliance-KIC Cooperation) is a European collaborative project funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative. Out of a total of 138 submitted proposals, only 35 projects across Europe were selected for funding. The international consortium has been awarded approximately €2 million for the project's two-year duration. The project aims to establish sustainable innovation and validation structures for healthcare innovations within the EduCare 5.0 European University Alliance. THRIVE connects universities, companies, and healthcare organizations from nine European countries and promotes close cooperation between education, research, and innovation.
About EduCare 5.0
EduCare 5.0 is a European university alliance comprising ten higher education institutions from Germany, Spain, Finland, Portugal, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Austria. Together, the partners seek to strengthen the integration of education, research, and innovation while developing innovative solutions to societal challenges. The alliance focuses on the key areas of health, digitalization, sustainability, and social inclusion. Students, researchers, educators, and practice partners collaborate across national and disciplinary boundaries to develop new approaches that enhance health, well-being, and quality of life throughout Europe.
