TURBO program and grants
The University of Twente and Radboud university medical center have set up the Twente University RadBoudumc Opportunities (TURBO) program. Together they will supply four TURBO grants.
read moreTURBO program and grants
Background and objective/aim
The University of Twente and Radboudumc have a long-lasting history of collaboration. In 2017, they launched the Twente University Radboudumc Opportunities (TURBO) program, a joint grant initiative aimed at fostering innovative research. Since then, 9 successful funding rounds have been completed, and the TURBO 2027 call opens in April 2026.
Building on this strong foundation, the two institutes signed a strategic collaboration agreement in May 2024. This new phase of partnership, called HealthTech Nexus, focuses on expanding the collaboration in knowledge sharing, talent development, and innovation. Together they aim address pressing healthcare challenges, specifically unmet medical needs that currently lack effective solutions.
Scope
The TURBO projects should align with the ambition to match unmet clinical needs with technological solutions, aiming to improve health and healthcare through the development of new diagnostic methods and innovative therapies for diseases that are currently difficult to diagnose or treat effectively.
Opportunities for improvement include developing and applying emerging technologies—such as organ‑on‑a‑chip systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning for the analysis of large amount of data, e‑health innovations, and sensing technologies, while also addressing legal, ethical, safety, financial, and practical considerations essential for the implementation of medical technology.
Promising areas include the current opportunities in defence and healthcare applications, productivity‑enhancing healthcare innovations, more sustainable medical materials, and advanced platforms like digital twins.
The TURBO program also welcomes any emerging technologies that help meet unmet clinical needs. While TURBO projects can span a wide range of fields, the primary goal of a TURBO-assisted grant application should be to bring the application one step closer to the market or practical application. This means that the projects should preferably focus on a transition of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) or Societal Readiness Level (SRL).
Please make sure to read the complete Call text.
Submissions
Use the provided formats for the Proposal and Budget plan. The proposal and budget plan are submitted via the submission page on the UT’s TURBO website, not via e-mail.
read moreSubmissions
Use the provided formats for the Proposal and Budget plan.
Name your proposal: TURBO2027_[Last name UT applicant]_[Last name Radboudumc applicant].doc.
Name you budget plan: TURBO2027_[Last name UT applicant]_[Last name Radboudumc applicant].xlsx
The proposal and budget plan are submitted via the submission button on the UT’s TURBO website, not via e-mail.
News items HealthTech Nexus
Learn more about the developments made possible by TURBO grants, and about our partnership with University of Twente.
see pageEvaluation committee
- The evaluation committee is (preferentially) chaired by an external representative.
- At both partners four to six scientific experts take a seat on the committee.
- Grant advisors of both institutions are represented.
Evaluation committee
Every proposal is first evaluated to fulfil the general eligibility criteria. Proposals that do not fulfil these general criteria will not be taken into consideration by this evaluation committee.
The proposals are evaluated by at least two independent scientific experts (reviewers) and a grant advisor from each institution according to the criteria: (scientific) quality (50%), feasibility of project and likelihood of obtaining additional funding (20%), innovativeness (15%) and (societal) impact (15%).
The combined scores of both institutions are the basis for a final ranking by the evaluation committee.
The evaluation committee must come to a unanimous agreement. If no consensus can be reached, the chairperson will make the final decision.
Time line
- 13 April 2026: TURBO call 2027 open
- 6 July 2026, 11.00: Deadline TURBO Call 2027
- 1 October 2026: Granting meeting, TechMed Centre, Enschede
- Not later than 1 Jan 2027: Start of projects
- 31 December 2027: End of projects, draft grant application written
- Ultimately 1 April 2028: Final report submitted
- Ultimately 2028: Submitted grant application at external funding body