Global collaboration action on climate and health in sub-Saharan Africa

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe programme aimed at addressing climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The opportunity, identified as HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-02-CH-01-two-stage, is part of the Global Health EDCTP3 initiative with a total funding budget of 25 million euros aimed at reducing the burden of diseases exacerbated by climate change.

Eligible applicants include consortia of research entities such as universities, research institutions, public health organizations, private companies, NGOs, and international organizations, with requirements for at least three independent entities from different countries. Importantly, one entity must be from an EU member state or associated country that is a member of the EDCTP Association, and another must come from a sub-Saharan African country that is also a member.

The funding is structured as a grant under a specific Research and Innovation Action and encourages collaborative applications that leverage co-funding from contributing partners. The initiatives focus on late-phase clinical research, including Phase IIb and III clinical trials as well as large-scale implementation studies related to climate-sensitive diseases. Proposed projects should encompass a One Health approach, integrate community health workers, and include vulnerable populations as a priority.

The application process consists of two stages. The first stage entails the submission of a short proposal by March 4, 2026, followed by invitations for full proposals by September 17, 2026. Each project can expect to receive a minimum contribution of 5 million euros, with about five projects anticipated to be funded. The application emphasizes high competitiveness, requiring strong consortia and well-defined plans for research impact, implementation efficiency, and appropriate resource leverage.

In addition to clinical trials and implementation studies, applicants must address various aspects of health system adaptations, the effects of climate change on health service provisions, and methods to ensure equitable access to developed health technologies. The opportunity is part of broader efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to health and climate action, highlighting the need for integrated research that links public health, climate change, and social equity.

Successful proposals are expected to demonstrate thorough planning for community engagement and partnerships with local health authorities, bridging research and policy for effective health interventions in relevant populations.

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe programme, specifically targeting global collaboration action on climate and health in sub-Saharan Africa. The call, identified as HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-02-CH-01-two-stage, aims to reduce the burden of climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and 13. It is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a two-stage submission process. The call opens on 14 January 2026, with deadlines for the first stage on 4 March 2026 and the second stage on 17 September 2026. The total budget is 25,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant size of around 5,000,000 EUR, expecting to fund approximately 5 projects.

The expected impact of funded projects includes: reduction of disease burden in SSA, achievement of SDG 3 (health and well-being) and SDG 13 (climate action), increased international cooperation, catalysed research synergies, and leveraged resources and investment. Proposals should demonstrate meaningful effects enhancing research impact through in-kind or financial contributions from contributing partners.

Applicant consortia must include contributing partners whose contributions align with their commitments in a letter of endorsement. These contributions can be financial or in-kind. A first draft of the endorsement letter must be submitted to the Programme Office before the second-stage application deadline. Contributing partners can be countries, international organizations, or any public or private legal entity, excluding Global Health EDCTP3 members or their affiliates.

The background highlights that climate change disproportionately affects Africa, increasing climate-related health emergencies, particularly water-borne and vector-borne diseases. A "One Health" approach is encouraged, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Vulnerable populations in Africa, including low-income households, women, children, and rural communities, are particularly at risk. Climate change also increases the risk of water-borne diseases in Europe. The call aligns with the European Commission’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change, emphasizing integrated, equitable, and internationally cooperative research efforts.

Expected outcomes include improved health outcomes related to climate-sensitive vector- and water-borne pathogens in SSA, enhanced evidence-based decision-making for mitigating climate change impacts on health in SSA, and increased community and primary health care engagement in reducing the burden of these diseases.

The scope of proposals should include:

A/ Minimum one of the following:

Conduct a phase IIb or III clinical trial, or post-authorisation effectiveness (phase IV) trial developing a preventive or therapeutic medicine, or vaccine against the pathogens in scope, OR

Conduct large-scale implementation research on a validated (Technology Readiness Level 8) medical device or novel vector control intervention for pathogens in scope in the context of integrated disease control interventions (which may include surveillance systems, early warning tools, diagnostics, and vector control innovations).

B/ In addition, proposals should address ALL of the following:

Integrate the One Health aspect in the research, considering the crossover between human, environmental, and animal health.

Encompass primary health care systems, community health workers, and the community into the study.

Include underserved and vulnerable populations such as children under five, pregnant women, elderly people, people with co-morbidities, immunocompromised people, and displaced populations.

C/ In addition, the proposals should address at least two of the following:

Include indigenous populations as defined per national/regional context.

Study the impact of climate change on supply chains and access to medical countermeasures.

Involve local, regional or national health and climate authorities/policymakers, bridging the gap between research and policymaking.

Integrate research in national adaptation plans and National Health Emergency Plans.

Include adaptations of primary health care systems to climate change, for example infrastructural improvements or the training of the primary care workforce.

Climate-sensitive infectious diseases are defined as those negatively impacted by climate change, including vector- and water-borne pathogens within the Global Health EDCTP3 SRIA scope. Proposals are encouraged to integrate climate-epidemiological models and contribute to improving health security preparedness in (Southern) EU. Preclinical studies are out of scope, but preparatory activities for clinical trials are eligible.

Proposals must leverage financial and/or in-kind contributions from contributing partners, with clear descriptions and budgeting for each contribution. Applicants must provide data on the impact of climate change on the chosen disease and how the proposed study would ameliorate the negative impact.

Consortia should include health, climate, and One Health experts, and provide methodologies for translating research findings into public health/climate practice and policy guidelines. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating adjacent sectors (e.g., nutrition, IPC/WASH) are encouraged.

Target product profiles should be described, along with prior relevant research findings and how the proposal builds on available data. Development milestones, go/no-go criteria, and plans for regulatory approval and access strategies in low-resource settings must be included.

Applicants should consider innovations in clinical trial design and research methods, following WHO Guidance for best practices for clinical trials. Community and stakeholder engagement, particularly with local key opinion leaders, researchers, health care professionals, policy makers, public health authorities and end-users, is essential.

Research consortia should have strong representation from SSA countries, including Franco/Lusophone countries, and collaboration with international research groups is encouraged. Outreach to organizations in countries with relatively lower research capacities is also expected.

Participation in networking and joint activities is strongly encouraged, with budget allocated for this collaboration. Coordination with existing adaptive platform trials in Africa and Europe, EDCTP’s Networks of Excellence, and other EDCTP funded initiatives is encouraged.

Specific eligibility conditions include:

Legal entities must be established in eligible countries, including EU Member States, associated countries to Horizon Europe, and constituent states of the EDCTP Association.

Consortia must include at least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries, with at least one from a Member State or associated country to Horizon Europe 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 established in a country in SSA, the designation of a scientific project leader established in a SSA country member of the EDCTP Association is mandatory.

Evaluation scores will be awarded for excellence, impact, and quality and efficiency of implementation, with specific thresholds for each criterion.

Grants must include a plan for exploitation and dissemination of results, including an access plan to ensure affordability, availability, and accessibility of developed products and services.

Global Health EDCTP3 may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results up to four years after the end of the action.

Applicants should be aware that information regarding their proposals may be shared with members of the JU Committee of the EDCTP Association.

Global Health EDCTP3 may invite contributing partners to participate in the evaluation process as observers.

The call aims to fund research and innovation actions that address the impact of climate change on health in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on water-borne and vector-borne diseases. It seeks to promote international collaboration, strengthen health systems, and develop effective interventions to protect vulnerable populations from the health risks associated with climate change. The call emphasizes the importance of a One Health approach, community engagement, and the translation of research findings into policy and practice.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are legal entities established in specific countries, including EU Member States, their Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), countries associated with Horizon Europe, and constituent states of the EDCTP Association. International organisations and entities from low- and middle-income countries not members of the EDCTP Association may also be eligible if their participation is considered essential. The applicant must be part of a consortium.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA) under the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] model.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The consortium must include at least three legal entities independent from each other, each established in a different eligible country. It must include at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State or 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 EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, countries associated with Horizon Europe, and constituent states of the EDCTP Association (Sub-Saharan African countries).

Target Sector: The program targets the health sector, specifically research and innovation actions related to climate-sensitive vector- and water-borne pathogens, climate change adaptation in healthcare systems, and global health security. It also touches on climate, and innovation.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions several categories of countries: EU Member States (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), Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States (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), countries associated to Horizon Europe (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), and constituent states of the EDCTP Association (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). South Africa is specifically mentioned as a possible location for the coordinator of an indirect action.

Project Stage: The project stage targets phase IIb or III clinical trials, post-authorisation effectiveness (phase IV) trials, or large-scale implementation research on validated medical devices or novel vector control interventions (Technology Readiness Level 8).

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic is EUR 25,000,000, with an indicative contribution of around EUR 5,000,000 per grant. It is expected that around 5 grants will be awarded.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. The first stage deadline is 04 March 2026, and the second stage deadline is 17 September 2026.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their research and innovation actions.

Application Stages: The application process consists of two stages.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants (5) compared to the broad eligibility suggests a competitive process.

Co-funding Requirement: The call expects effective in-kind and/or financial contributions from contributing partners. The leveraging of financial and/or in-kind contributions from contributing partners that are equal or greater than the requested JU contribution is taken into consideration during the evaluation of second-stage proposals.

Summary: This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting research and innovation actions to address the impact of climate change on health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and, to some extent, Europe. The call aims to fund projects that will contribute to reducing the burden of climate-sensitive infectious diseases by supporting clinical trials, implementation research, and the development of climate-adaptive health systems. It encourages international cooperation, particularly between entities in EU member states, associated countries, and sub-Saharan African countries. The call emphasizes the importance of integrating a "One Health" approach, involving local communities, and translating research findings into public health policies. The funding is provided through grants, and the application process involves a two-stage submission. Consortia are expected to leverage financial and/or in-kind contributions from contributing partners. The call seeks to improve health outcomes, enhance evidence-based decision-making, and increase community engagement in mitigating the impact of climate change on health in vulnerable populations.