Transdisciplinary research in the area of active ageing Against the background of an ageing population, tremendous demands are placed on the health and care sectors. In addition to improving prevention and safeguarding medical and nursing care, organisational and social innovations must also be fostered which enable above all elderly persons to remain active and independent and to participate in community life. Like the EU, NRW‘s research strategy “Fortschritt NRW” highlights that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches are needed in order to solve complex issues. Only new services, processes and products which are targeted at users’ and citizens’ requirements have the chance to assert themselves in the marketplace and contribute to improved medical and nursing care. It is here that the utilisation of eHealth products and support through telemedical applications are playing an increasingly important role. Healthcare is a growing sector and at the same time a driver of innovation. Annual turnover is at present about € 58 billion. Some 1.1 million people are employed in the healthcare sector in North Rhine-Westphalia. Transdisciplinarity, as it is understood in this context, means that, in addition to scientists, non-scientific players in society, whether from enterprises, civil society or policymaking, should be involved as bearers of practical knowledge in the research process for a special project. Two innovative and transdisciplinary support instruments from North Rhine-Westphalia are presented in the shape of the RINs and the Fortschrittskollegs (“Progress Colleges”), supplemented by a best practice example by Generali Zukunftsfonds (Cologne). All projects offer solutions and approaches in the field of “Healthy Ageing”.