Apply AI: Piloting AI-based image screening in medical centres
Horizon Europe
Per project€9M
1 phase
Deadline:2026-10-01
💡
Strategic Analysis
This call focuses on piloting AI-based image screening in medical centres to enhance early detection of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, ensuring seamless integration into clinical workflows while adhering to EU trustworthy AI principles. The winning angle lies in demonstrating scalable, secure, and interoperable cloud-based AI solutions with robust clinical validation, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance, directly aligning with the Apply AI Strategy and EU health data policies.
🚀
Suggested TRL Range
TRL 6 → 8
Based on programme defaults
Scope Activities (8)
SC1
Implement a scalable cloud-based AI/GenAI system running European trustworthy and safe AI/GenAI algorithms that were developed, trained and validated using very large sets of patient data.
SC2
Put in place a secure, privacy-preserving cloud environment required for the health data analysis tasks, with appropriate access and identification tools for authorised use only, and implement the whole system seamlessly integrated in regular clinical workflows of the care settings involved.
SC3
Address interoperability and the need to communicate with the health IT infrastructure (e.g. the electronic health record (EHR) of the patient, Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Radiological Information Systems (RIS), etc.).
SC4
Demonstrate the integration and large-scale validation of cloud-based AI/GenAI systems, following a thorough assessment and testing over a large number of patient test cases in real healthcare settings.
SC5
Choose the types of health data, the AI/GenAI algorithms that are trustworthy and secure, and the medical use cases, with the focus disease areas being cancer and cardiovascular.
SC6
Perform technical and clinical validation of the systems, generating evidence on AI systems’ performance and usability in different clinical settings.
SC7
Use the AI systems for screening in clinical settings, perform local performance evaluation and post-deployment monitoring of the solutions, including evidence generation on cost-efficiency in view of regulatory requirements and health technology assessment (HTA).
SC8
Whenever relevant, deploy AI/GenAI solutions already tested and validated within the TEF for Health.
Expected Outcomes (8)
EO1
One or more proofs-of-concept of replicable, scalable cloud-based AI/GenAI systems for analysis of medical imaging data in a healthcare setting, with demonstration of the role of the clinicians in validating AI/GenAI findings and reports showcasing seamless integration of the system into clinical workflows.
EO2
Evidence-based analysis of (cost-)efficiency of the piloted solutions for healthcare systems for regulatory and HTA purposes.
EO3
Two or more events or workshops organised per year and per project for the European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres. The agenda should include lessons learned from the project activities, as well as other items relevant to the network. Participant satisfaction rates should be measured for the events and workshops.
EO4
Medical centres in the consortium joined the European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres under the Apply AI Strategy.
EO5
A plan for obtaining regulatory approval for application of the AI/GenAI solutions in real life scenarios and clinical settings. This includes the required risk management and compliance activities, as well as clinical evaluation plans and post-market clinical follow-up.
EO6
Detailed data protection and cybersecurity plan, with measures to secure sensitive health data, mitigate cybersecurity risks, and comply with EU legal and ethical frameworks.
EO7
Sustainability plan for the uptake of the systems across the EU.
EO8
Stakeholder engagement and dissemination report with measurable actions (KPIs).