Health Frontiers – Technology Innovation Centre
About Health Frontiers:
The Health Frontiers-Technology Innovation Centre, led by Ulster University, is a flagship cross-border hub for research and innovation, driving advancements in next- generation digital health and medical technologies.
Supported by a €9.1 million investment from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) through the Peace Plus Programme, the Health Frontiers project is set to accelerate progress in digital health and MedTech innovation.
This initiative directly contributes to Peace Plus Investment Area 2.2 – Innovation Challenge Fund, by strengthening research and innovation capabilities and promoting the adoption of advanced technologies.
Through this, the Centre brings together leading universities, healthcare providers, and MedTech enterprises from Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Scotland to accelerate innovation that improves patient care, enhances clinical systems, and drives economic growth.
Rooted in more than 40 years of Ulster University’s leadership in health technology innovation, the Health Frontiers project builds on the success of the INTERREG VA Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering Centre (ECME) partnership. The Centre unites expertise in engineering, computing, and clinical science to deliver measurable impact on patient care, economic growth, and peacebuilding through collaboration and shared progress.
Partners:
The Health Frontiers project unites 11 research and clinical organisations across three regions, alongside 25 MedTech SMEs.
Key academic and clinical partners include:
- Ulster University (NI) – Lead Institution
- Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Dublin (UCD), and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – Ireland
- Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) – Scotland
- Southern, Belfast, and Northern Health & Social Care Trusts (NI) – Clinical Partners
- Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI)
Project Objectives:
The Health Frontiers project focuses on transforming healthcare through three interlinked strands of research and innovation:
- Next Generation Medical Device Technologies – Designing and validating innovative, user-centred medical devices that address pressing clinical needs.
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health Systems – Leveraging data science, machine learning, and AI to enhance clinical decision-making and healthcare delivery.
- Digital Transformation of Clinical Practice and Culture – Supporting clinicians and healthcare systems to adopt, trust, and embed technology-driven care.
Budget:
€9.1 million
SEUPB Webpage:
