What This Means for You

For Candidates

Health economics modeling remains an undersupplied skillset across Europe, with demand outpacing supply in both academia and industry. Gaining these skills offers a clear path to career advancement in research institutes, consultancies and policy bodies.

“Employers across Europe are actively looking for candidates who can bridge clinical insight with economic evaluation - yet talent with these skills remains scarce.”

For Employers

Horizon Europe’s Health Work Programme explicitly requires economic evaluation across multiple destinations. Teams without in-house modeling capabilities risk falling short of eligibility criteria and missing out on substantial funding.

Why Health Economics Modeling Matters

Horizon Europe 2025 places economic evaluation at the core of its health calls. Three key funding destinations illustrate this:

Destination	Budget (EUR million)	Economic Evaluation Requirement
European Partnership for Brain Health	56.5 in 2025¹ 46.5 in 2026¹	Long-term cost and benefit modelling for neurological interventions
Digital Health and Care Calls	Varies by topic	Budget impact analyses to quantify the value of AI-driven diagnostics and digital solutions
Prevention and Health Promotion	Varies by topic	Cost-effectiveness evaluations for initiatives addressing health inequalities

¹ Indicative annual instalments of a €150 million total budget (2025–2027).

 

Without internal modeling expertise or external partners, teams risk being deemed ineligible for substantial EU grants.

Verified Skills Gaps and Opportunities

While precise percentages differ across studies, credible reports confirm a substantial shortage of health economics expertise:

Modelling Methods: Training programmes and surveys highlight that many project teams lack proficiency in Markov modeling and cost-utility analysis, core techniques for long-term evaluations of therapies and prevention strategies.₃

Economic Evaluation Integration: joint clinical assessments under Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 will mandate clear economic evidence for new medicines and advanced therapies from January 2025 onward - even though the regulation stops short of harmonizing national reimbursement decisions.₄

Workforce Context: Twenty EU countries reported doctor shortages and fifteen reported nurse shortages in 2022–2023, reflecting broader capacity challenges that underscore the value of versatile economic modelers who can optimize resource allocation in constrained systems.₂

What to do next

For Employers

Assess Your Team

• Map current competencies to the economic evaluation requirements in Horizon Europe’s Health Work Programme to identify gaps.

 

Upskill Strategically

• Invest in targeted training on Markov modeling, budget impact analysis and cost-utility methods aligned with EU guidelines and HTA procedural rules.

 

Leverage External Expertise

• Partner with academic centers or specialized consultancies to integrate real-world evidence into economic models from project inception.

For Candidates

Highlight Transferable Experience

• Emphasise quantitative and analytical skills from data science, actuarial science or operations research, framing them in health economics contexts.

 

Pursue Hands-On Projects

• Seek internships, workshops or short-courses that involve applying models to EU calls or Health Technology Assessment (HTA) case studies.

 

Stay Informed

• Follow developments in joint clinical assessments and EU funding calls to tailor your skillset to emerging requirements.

Why This Matters

Economic evaluation appears across nearly all health funding calls in Horizon Europe, signalling a fundamental shift toward value-based research investments. Professionals and organisations that master these methods will be best positioned to:

• Win competitive grants by demonstrating value for money

• Influence policy through robust economic evidence

• Drive sustainable health innovation in an era of constrained budgets

 

Health economics modeling is more than a technical skill, it is the bridge between scientific innovation and real-world impact. Whether you’re seeking to elevate your career or secure transformative funding for your organisation, this expertise will make all the difference.
At Panda International, we specialise in connecting life science organisations with the specialised talent they need to succeed in today's competitive funding environment. Get in touch today: Contact Our Life Sciences Recruitment Specialists | Panda