Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence

The opportunity, titled HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02, is a grant initiative under the Horizon Europe program aiming to enhance integrated research and healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and artificial intelligence. The total budget for this initiative is €18 million, with plans to fund around eight projects, each receiving approximately €2.25 million. The call is an open submission process, starting on January 14, 2026, and closing on September 2, 2026.

Eligible applicants must be part of a consortium that includes at least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries. The consortium must have at least one entity from an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country that is a member of the EDCTP Association, as well as one from a sub-Saharan African country that is also a member. The focus is on fostering partnerships between North and South, prioritizing significant representation from sub-Saharan African stakeholders.

The targeted sectors for this initiative include digital health, artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, and strengthening health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Proposals should emphasize scaling validated digital innovations, improving data interoperability, and integrating digital tools into health systems. They must also adhere to international standards and ethical guidelines, ensuring accessibility and equity in digital health solutions.

The application process is single-stage, requiring complete proposals without an initial screening phase. The success rate is anticipated to be competitive, reflecting historical patterns in similar funding schemes. While co-funding is not formally required, leveraging additional resources is encouraged to enhance the competitiveness of proposals.

This initiative aligns with various international health strategies, including those from the WHO and Africa CDC, seeking to address challenges posed by inadequate digital health infrastructure and to improve healthcare outcomes across underserved areas in the region. The ultimate goal is to foster sustainable transformations in health service delivery through collaborative efforts and innovation.

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (JU). The call, HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02, focuses on "Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence." It is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a single-stage submission process. The call opens on January 14, 2026, and closes on September 2, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 18,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 8 grants to be awarded, each around 2,250,000 EUR.

The expected impact of funded actions includes strengthening the clinical human capital base in Research and Innovation (R&I), enhancing talent retention, promoting knowledge sharing of best practices, accelerating the integration of digital tools into health systems, and expanding validated innovations for implementation at national and/or sub-regional levels. Applicant consortia can receive technical support from the EDCTP Association for proposal preparation, especially considering the lump sum nature of the grant agreement. Consortia may also include the EDCTP Association as coordinator.

The background highlights the potential of digital health, including mobile health platforms, electronic health records, and AI, to improve healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, SSA countries lag behind in digital innovation, and existing tools are fragmented. The call aims to address these disparities by coordinating efforts among governments, institutions, researchers, healthcare providers, and the private sector to build inclusive and scalable digital health systems. The goal is to better utilize existing technologies through improved coordination, capacity building, and evidence-based policies.

Proposals should aim to deliver results contributing to at least two of the following: scaled-up implementation of validated digital innovations, improved data interoperability and harmonization of electronic health records, an integrated roadmap for sustainable integration of digital health tools, and increased retention of skilled experts in relevant fields.

The scope of proposals should include strengthening health systems and partnerships to enhance the use of digital health records and tools, leveraging machine learning and AI for infectious disease prevention, detection, and treatment in SSA. Proposals should favor low-risk digital/AI approaches. They should also strengthen national and regional efforts to scale up validated digital technologies, align digital health strategies with international best practices, and improve coordination among stakeholders.

Specific requirements for proposals include: knowledge sharing between countries with advanced and lower capacity systems, adherence to international standards for data use and governance, consideration of societal impact and ethical requirements, auditing AI system bias, ensuring project outcome sustainability, promoting equity across involved countries, aligning with WHO AFRO and Africa CDC strategies, including plans for accessible and affordable digital tools, sharing outcomes publicly, and engaging communities and relevant stakeholders. Collaboration with the AU-EU Health Partnership’s MAV+ hub is encouraged, as is willingness to enter into technology transfer agreements with African counterparts.

Applicants are expected to form research consortia with strong representation from SSA countries, including Franco/Lusophone countries, and collaboration with international research groups is encouraged. Outreach to institutions in countries with high disease burden but lower research capacities is also expected.

Admissibility conditions include adherence to proposal page limits and layout as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Application Form. Eligible countries are listed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Other eligible conditions include specific requirements for Global Health EDCTP3 JU funding, such as entities eligible for funding, consortium composition, the location of the coordinator, and the designation of a scientific project leader. The consortium must include at least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries, with at least one from a Member State or associated country that is a member of the EDCTP Association and at least one from a sub-Saharan African country that is a member of the EDCTP Association. If the coordinator is not from an SSA country, a scientific project leader from an SSA country member of the EDCTP Association must be designated.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Global Health EDCTP3 retains the right to object to the transfer or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years after the end of the action. Information sharing regarding proposals and evaluation results may occur with members of the JU Committee of the EDCTP Association. Contributing partners may be invited as observers in the evaluation process.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and call-specific instructions. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and other relevant guidelines and regulations.

The call aims to enhance integrated research and healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging digital innovation and AI. It seeks to bridge the gap between SSA countries and the developed world in digital health, promote sustainable and scalable digital solutions, and strengthen local health systems. The call encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of evidence-based policies to unlock the potential of digital health in the region.

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (JU). The call, HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-SERP-01, focuses on "Supporting national and regional policy makers in Sub-Saharan Africa to develop and implement evidence-based policies for pandemic preparedness and response". It is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a single-stage submission process. The call opens on January 14, 2026, and closes on September 2, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 15,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 10 grants to be awarded, each around 1,500,000 EUR.

The expected impact of funded actions includes strengthening clinical human capital base in R&I, enhancing talent retention, knowledge sharing of best practices within the research and innovation landscape, accelerate integration of digital tools into health systems, expand and scale up validated innovations with tangible implementation at national and/or sub-regional levels. Applicant consortia can receive technical support from the EDCTP Association for proposal preparation, especially considering the lump sum nature of the grant agreement. Consortia may also include the EDCTP Association as coordinator.

The background highlights the need for evidence-based policies for pandemic preparedness and response in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The call aims to address these disparities by coordinating efforts among governments, institutions, researchers, healthcare providers, and the private sector to build inclusive and scalable health systems. The goal is to better utilize existing knowledge through improved coordination, capacity building, and evidence-based policies.

Proposals should aim to deliver results contributing to at least two of the following: Strengthened capacity of national and regional policy makers to develop and implement evidence-based policies for pandemic preparedness and response. Improved coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness and response in SSA. Enhanced knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices in pandemic preparedness and response. Increased awareness and understanding of the social, economic, and ethical implications of pandemic preparedness and response policies.

The scope of proposals should include: Supporting national and regional policy makers in SSA to develop and implement evidence-based policies for pandemic preparedness and response, taking into account the specific needs and contexts of different countries and regions. Promoting coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness and response, including governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Facilitating knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices in pandemic preparedness and response, including through the development of online platforms and training programs. Addressing the social, economic, and ethical implications of pandemic preparedness and response policies, including issues related to equity, access, and human rights.

Specific requirements for proposals include: knowledge sharing between countries with advanced and lower capacity systems, adherence to international standards for data use and governance, consideration of societal impact and ethical requirements, auditing AI system bias, ensuring project outcome sustainability, promoting equity across involved countries, aligning with WHO AFRO and Africa CDC strategies, including plans for accessible and affordable digital tools, sharing outcomes publicly, and engaging communities and relevant stakeholders. Collaboration with the AU-EU Health Partnership’s MAV+ hub is encouraged, as is willingness to enter into technology transfer agreements with African counterparts.

Applicants are expected to form research consortia with strong representation from SSA countries, including Franco/Lusophone countries, and collaboration with international research groups is encouraged. Outreach to institutions in countries with high disease burden but lower research capacities is also expected.

Admissibility conditions include adherence to proposal page limits and layout as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Application Form. Eligible countries are listed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Other eligible conditions include specific requirements for Global Health EDCTP3 JU funding, such as entities eligible for funding, consortium composition, the location of the coordinator, and the designation of a scientific project leader. The consortium must include at least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries, with at least one from a Member State or associated country that is a member of the EDCTP Association and at least one from a sub-Saharan African country that is a member of the EDCTP Association. If the coordinator is not from an SSA country, a scientific project leader from an SSA country member of the EDCTP Association must be designated.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Global Health EDCTP3 retains the right to object to the transfer or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years after the end of the action. Information sharing regarding proposals and evaluation results may occur with members of the JU Committee of the EDCTP Association. Contributing partners may be invited as observers in the evaluation process.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and call-specific instructions. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and other relevant guidelines and regulations.

The call aims to enhance pandemic preparedness and response in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting evidence-based policy development and implementation. It seeks to bridge the gap between SSA countries and the developed world in pandemic preparedness, promote sustainable and scalable health systems, and strengthen local capacity. The call encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, knowledge sharing, and the development of effective policies to address future health crises.

In summary, this funding opportunity is focused on improving digital health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness in Sub-Saharan Africa. It calls for collaborative projects that involve knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the implementation of evidence-based policies. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and there are specific requirements for consortium composition and project leadership. The overall goal is to strengthen health systems and improve healthcare delivery in the region.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include national governments, regional institutions, researchers, healthcare providers, and private sector partners. The legal entities eligible for funding must be established in one of the following countries: Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions; Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States; Countries associated to Horizon Europe; and constituent states of the EDCTP Association. Legal entities from countries not listed, including low- and middle-income countries not members of the EDCTP Association, may be eligible if specified in the call or deemed essential by the granting authority. International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding. Other international organizations are not eligible to receive funding unless their participation is considered essential for implementing the action by the granting authority.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The consortium must include at least three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country, where legal entities are eligible to receive funding; at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State, or in an associated country to Horizon Europe that is a member of the EDCTP Association; and at least one independent legal entity established in a sub-Saharan African country that is a member of the EDCTP Association.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes Member States of the European Union, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, Countries associated to Horizon Europe, and constituent states of the EDCTP Association (sub-Saharan African countries).

Target Sector: The program targets the health sector, specifically digital health, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, and research and innovation (R&I). It also focuses on strengthening clinical human capital, talent retention, knowledge sharing, and the integration of digital tools into health systems.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions several regions and countries. These include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Greenland, New Caledonia, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna Islands, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Egypt, Morocco, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. It also mentions sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a key region.

Project Stage: The project stage focuses on scaling up validated innovations, tangible implementation at national and/or sub-regional levels, and integrating digital health tools into clinical trials and public health systems. Therefore, the project stage is primarily demonstration and implementation.

Funding Amount: The budget for HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02 is EUR 18,000,000, with an indicative number of 8 grants. The budget for HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-SERP-01 is EUR 15,000,000, with an indicative number of 10 grants. This suggests that the funding range per grant is variable, but approximately EUR 2,250,000 for DIGIT-02 and EUR 1,500,000 for SERP-01.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. Technical support may also be offered by the EDCTP Association for proposal preparation.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, it mentions that the eligible costs of the EDCTP Association in the actions funded under this topic will not be reimbursed by the JU and may be used as a basis for in-kind contributions to operational activities (IKOP).

Summary: This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking. It aims to enhance integrated research and healthcare delivery in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). The call seeks to fund Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) that strengthen health systems, promote knowledge sharing, and scale up validated digital health technologies. Eligible applicants include consortia comprising entities from EU Member States, countries associated with Horizon Europe, and sub-Saharan African countries that are members of the EDCTP Association. The funding will be provided as a lump sum grant, and the projects should align with the WHO AFRO and Africa CDC strategies for digital health. The call emphasizes the importance of addressing ethical considerations, ensuring equity, and promoting the accessibility and affordability of digital tools. The overall goal is to bridge the gap between SSA countries and the developed world in digital health innovation, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes and epidemic preparedness in the region.