["Excellence – scientific credibility of cohort studies, methodological rigour, digital innovation.","Impact – clear pathway to ASC adoption, quantified health-economic benefits, contribution to EU policy.","Quality & Efficiency of Implementation – management structure, risk mitigation, realistic budget and timeline."]

Application Strategy – Winning HORIZON-JU-IHI-2025-11-05

1. Build a Mission-Driven Consortium

* Anchor: 2–3 high-volume university hospitals transitioning ortho/cardio procedures to ASC model.

* Industry: IHI corporate members (MedTech, digital health, pharma) ready to provide in-kind contributions (devices, software, data scientists) to hit the 45 % threshold.

* SMEs/Start-ups: AI-enabled peri-operative platforms, remote monitoring, scheduling optimisation.

* Payers/HTA bodies: secure a letter of commitment; vital for reimbursement pathway WP.

* Patient groups: integrate co-design workshops; strengthens Impact score.

2. Map Work Packages to Evaluation Criteria

Excellence

* WP1: Multistakeholder advisory board – clearly defined methodology for consensus building.

* WP2 & WP3: Parallel prospective cohort studies (ortho, cardio) with harmonised endpoints; include sample-size justification & statistical plan.

Impact

* WP4: Health-economic modelling & reimbursement blueprints aligned with DRG updates.

* WP5: Interoperable IT stack leveraging EHDS standards; plan for open APIs and FAIR data.

* KPIs: waiting-time reduction %, cost per QALY, infection rate ↓, patient satisfaction ↑.

Quality & Implementation

* WP6: Training academy – curricula, simulation labs, digital modules; link to European professional societies.

* WP7: Sustainability & scale-up roadmap; include governance model for ASC network post-2029.

3. Two-Stage Writing Tactics

Stage 1 (20 pages)

* Deliver a compelling narrative: capacity crisis → ASC solution → consortium advantage.

* Focus on vision, novelty, impacts, and short description of WPs; keep budget summary lean but credible.

* Insert one visual: patient journey showing integrated digital tools.

Stage 2 (50 pages)

* Expand into detailed task-level Gantt, risk matrix, data management plan, gender & inclusiveness measures.

* Provide cash-flow & in-kind tables proving ≥45 % industry contribution.

* Attach mandatory annexes early; use IHI excel budget file to avoid validation errors.

4. Budget Engineering

* Allocate ~15 % to digital infrastructure, 20 % to clinical studies, 10 % to training, 10 % to management, 15 % to dissemination & exploitation, remainder to personnel & indirects.

* Leverage procurement (e.g., device donations) as IKOP to boost industry share without extra cash.

5. Compliance Checklist

* Clinical study annex ✓

* Ethics self-assessment & GDPR DPIA ✓

* TRL justification (start TRL 5–6, end TRL 7) ✓

* JU right to object clause accepted ✓

* Exclusion of UK/Canadian funded partners ✓

6. Timeline & Milestones

* Consortium MoU signed – Apr 2025

* Stage 1 submission – 09 Oct 2025

* Invite to Stage 2 – Jan 2026

* Stage 2 submission – 29 Apr 2026

* GA signature – Oct 2026

* Kick-off – Nov 2026

* First patient enrolled – Q2 2027

* Interim RWE analysis – Q2 2028

* Policy/reimbursement package ready – Q4 2028

* Project end – Oct 2030

7. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

* Under-estimating industry in-kind value → build a clear IKOP justification table.

* Ignoring national regulatory diversity → include a task on legal/regulatory landscape mapping.

* Weak sustainability narrative → propose ASC Association with membership fees & service portfolio.

* Data silos → commit to open standards (FHIR, SNOMED CT) from day one.

8. Final Tips

* Engage NCPs & IHI office early for eligibility clarifications.

* Schedule an internal red-team review 3 weeks before each deadline.

* Use previous IHI evaluations (public summaries) to benchmark scoring language.

> Aim: Demonstrate that your consortium is uniquely positioned to deliver safer, cost-effective, digitally-enabled ASCs that decongest EU hospitals and boost industrial competitiveness.