Investment in women’s health research and innovation (R&I) in Europe is steadily increasing, yet significant gaps in funding and evidence remain, according to a new report. Between 2021 and July 2026, projects focused on women’s health constituted 2.65% of Horizon Europe initiatives and accounted for 1.86% of total contributions from the European Commission. Despite the rise in political attention and investment, funding remains disproportionately directed toward early-stage research and innovation.
At the national level, progress is being made, with seven countries—Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, and Norway—implementing dedicated strategies for women’s health. Additionally, several nations rolled out targeted funding initiatives in 2025. However, investment patterns still favor established areas of women’s health, leaving significant voids in research for conditions like autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
The report highlights a critical challenge: increasing investment in a way that fosters a cohesive women’s health R&I ecosystem. Currently, gaps exist between early-stage research and later development stages, risking the failure of promising innovations to reach clinical practice. Strategic use of EU funding instruments in tandem with public-private partnerships could fortify connections among research, data generation, translation, and market entry.
Establishing a dedicated European women’s health strategy could streamline efforts by setting research priorities, coordinating actions, and tracking developments. Such a framework would complement existing national strategies while mobilizing further investment in R&I. By creating a more organized and sustainable ecosystem, this initiative could help align investments with unmet needs and the overall burden of disease.
