Joint Transnational Call 2026 for the BE READY Partnership: Advancing knowledge of host and pathogens dynamics to better combat emerging diseases

The Joint Transnational Call 2026, part of the BE READY Partnership, is a competitive funding opportunity focused on enhancing pandemic preparedness and infectious disease research. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, public health organizations, government ministries, and small to medium enterprises, with private companies encouraged to participate under specific criteria. Proposals must include a consortium of at least three partners from different eligible countries, including two from EU Member States or associated countries. The consortium can have a maximum of six partners, or seven if specific under-represented countries or companies are included.

The call is primarily funded through grants, with a total budget of €16.4 million available for distribution among selected consortia. Projects are expected to span a maximum duration of 36 months and exclude clinical trials. The focus is on basic research and validation in fields such as pathogen biology, therapeutic and vaccine development, forecasting pathogen behavior, public health dynamics, and the One Health concept.

Applications are processed through a two-stage system involving pre-proposals followed by full proposals for invited consortia. Proposals must be rigorously designed and hypothesis-driven, integrating interdisciplinary expertise across various related fields. Key research areas include studying specified viral families, understanding host-pathogen interactions, and developing innovative therapeutic and diagnostic solutions.

The application process requires strict adherence to templates and guidelines, with funding decisions based on peer reviews and strategic alignment with available budgets. Successful proposals will contribute significantly to understanding and preparing for future infectious health threats. Submissions open on January 19, 2026, with deadlines set for April 13 and August 20, 2026.

The BE READY NOW - EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP FOR PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS is offering a Joint Transnational Call 2026 for advancing knowledge of host and pathogens dynamics to better combat emerging diseases. The call aims to increase scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge on emerging and re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential, as well as host responses to infection. The goal is to improve the capacity to anticipate, prevent, and respond to infectious health threats through a multinational, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach that bridges research and development. The call specifically addresses Priority 1 of the BE READY Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA): Accelerate knowledge in a coordinated and integrative manner, focusing on Action 1.1 (Increase knowledge on understanding, identifying, and addressing therapeutic targets on pathogens) and Action 1.2 (Increase knowledge on pathophysiology).

The expected outcomes of the proposals should contribute to at least one of the following: Identification of novel pathogen-specific molecular targets and mutation hotspots (i.e., discovery of critical proteins, enzymes, or signaling molecules that play a central role in pathogen infectivity, survival, and/or resistance). Improving the understanding of cross-species (zoonotic) aspects of host–pathogen interactions (in the context of the One Health approach). Application of the “Pathogen X” approach to generate transferable knowledge that can then be applied to other threatening viruses of the same family. Identification, development, and optimization of (new) structures with optimal therapeutic activity and low toxicity that can be potential lead compounds (particularly for vulnerable groups). Identification and validation of targets, alongside data integration, interoperability, and modeling efforts to demonstrate the potential of these targets, including antigenic structures suitable for vaccine development, for subsequent therapeutic development (i.e., proof-of-concept studies). Improving data integration and modeling to predict pathogen behavior and therapeutic susceptibilities. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions, in humans including host predisposing factors, to guide future diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine development. Development and improvement of advanced immunological assays, experimental models and preclinical studies that link host genetics to disease outcomes.

Proposals must focus on one or more viruses from the following families: Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Poxviridae, Togaviridae, and “Pathogen X”. Global approaches towards a whole family of these pathogens are also feasible.

Proposals must be hypothesis-driven with a strong emphasis on reliable and rigorous methodology. The consortium must be interdisciplinary, including partners with expertise from different relevant disciplines such as basic/pre-clinical research, clinical research, computing science/bioinformatics, veterinary science, Public Health, and social and environmental science. Proposals must consider sex and gender dimensions and/or diversity aspects in their research plan/activities.

The following aspects are encouraged: Research questions related to specific populations or vulnerable groups. Inclusion of highly innovative methodologies or state-of-the-art technologies. Collaboration with the private sector/private entities. Use of existing cohorts and data sets.

Excluded topics include: Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens. Research addressing SRIA priority actions 1.3 (Increase knowledge on environmental and social aspects driving pathogen emergence) and 1.4 (Increase knowledge on transmission dynamics and epidemiology). Clinical studies.

Eligibility criteria require applicants to adhere strictly to the call documents and national regulations.

The application process involves a two-stage procedure: pre-proposals and full proposals (upon invitation only). A joint proposal document in English must be submitted by the project coordinator through the PT-Outline platform.

The Joint Call Secretariat (JCS) and national/regional funding organizations will check proposals for formal criteria and compliance with national/regional regulations. Proposals will be evaluated independently by three reviewers, followed by an international peer review expert group (IPEG) meeting to produce a ranking list. The Consortium Steering Committee (CSC) will decide which applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Full proposals will undergo a similar formal check and evaluation process. Applicants will be required to complete an ethics self-assessment checklist and provide details on safety, animal studies, genetically modified organisms, environmental hazards, data management, statistical methods, and ethical and legal issues. Selected full proposals will undergo an ethics assessment.

The funders will make the final funding decision based on the IPEG ranking lists, available funding, and the ethics assessment.

A redress procedure is available for applicants who suspect a breach in the evaluation and selection procedures. Appeals must be submitted to the JCS via email within seven calendar days of the notification of the evaluation outcome.

The opening date for submissions is 19 January 2026. The deadline dates are 13 April 2026 and 20 August 2026, both at 13:00 (Brussels time). The total funding available is 16,400,000.00 €. The project acronym is BE READY NOW, and the grant agreement number is 101226682. The topic is HORIZON-HLTH-2024-DISEASE-12-01 - European partnership for pandemic preparedness. The maximum duration of the projects is 36 months.

The consortium must involve a minimum of three consortium partners (including the coordinator) from at least three different eligible countries (including at least two EU Member States or associated countries). The consortium may not have more than six consortium partners (including external partners with own/in-kind budget). If the consortium includes an under-represented country (Hungary, Czech Republic, Republic of Moldavia, Estonia) or a company, the maximum number of project partners can be increased to seven. Only one partner per consortium can request funding from the same funding organization. The consortium coordinator cannot be changed between the first and second stage and can coordinate only one submitted proposal. Consortium partners cannot be involved in more than two research proposals submitted to this call. It is permitted to include one external partner from countries that are not participating in this call, but only if own funding is secured.

In summary, this call aims to fund research projects that will enhance our understanding of pathogens with pandemic potential and host responses to infection. It encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of innovative methodologies to develop new therapeutic targets and strategies for pandemic preparedness. The call has a two-stage application process, with strict eligibility and ethical requirements. The total funding available is substantial, and the projects are expected to contribute significantly to our ability to prevent and respond to future pandemics.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text, but it can be inferred that the call is open to a range of entities, including those involved in basic/pre-clinical research, clinical research, computing science/bioinformatics, veterinary science, Public Health, social and environmental science. Collaboration with the private sector/private entities is encouraged. Eligibility is also subject to national/regional regulations, as detailed in Annex A of the call text.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The consortium must involve a minimum of three partners (including the coordinator) from at least three different eligible countries (including at least two EU Member States or associated countries) whose funding organizations participate in the call. The consortium may not have more than six consortium partners (including external partner (own/in-kind budget)). If the consortium includes an under-represented country (Hungary, Czech Republic, Republic of Moldavia, Estonia) or a company, the maximum number of project partners can be increased to seven including the coordinator.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and associated countries. The consortium must include partners from at least three different eligible countries, including at least two EU Member States or associated countries. It is permitted to include one external partner from countries that are not participating in this call, but only if own funding is secured.

Target Sector: The target sector is health, specifically related to pandemic preparedness, emerging and re-emerging pathogens, infectious diseases, and related research and development.

Mentioned Countries: Hungary, Czech Republic, Republic of Moldavia, Estonia. The text also refers to EU Member States and associated countries, and countries participating in the call.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on research, development, and validation, with an emphasis on increasing scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge. The call aims to bridge research and development. The expected outcomes include identification of novel targets, improving understanding of host-pathogen interactions, application of the "Pathogen X" approach, identification and validation of targets for therapeutic development, improving data integration and modelling, understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms, and development of advanced assays and models.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is €16,400,000. The funding range for individual projects is not specified, but it will likely vary depending on the scope and requirements of the proposed research.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage procedure involving pre-proposals and full proposals (upon invitation). The call is an open call.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages: There are two application stages: pre-proposal and full proposal (by invitation only).

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required, but the inclusion of an external partner from a non-participating country is permitted only if own funding is secured. The budget of non-funded partners must be included in the proposal (own/In-Kind-budget) and shall not exceed 20% of the requested total transnational project budget.

This opportunity is a Joint Transnational Call within the BE READY Partnership, aimed at advancing knowledge of host and pathogen dynamics to better combat emerging diseases. The call seeks to fund multinational, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research projects that increase scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge on emerging and re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential. The focus is on improving the capacity to anticipate, prevent, and respond to infectious health threats. The call specifically targets Priority 1 of the BE READY Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), focusing on accelerating knowledge in a coordinated and integrative manner, particularly concerning therapeutic targets on pathogens and pathophysiology.

Eligible consortia must consist of at least three partners from three different eligible countries, including at least two EU Member States or associated countries. The research should be hypothesis-driven, interdisciplinary, and consider sex and gender dimensions. Collaboration with the private sector is encouraged. The call excludes research on antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, SRIA priority actions 1.3 and 1.4, and clinical studies. The application process involves a two-stage submission: pre-proposals and full proposals (by invitation). The total funding available for this call is €16,400,000. The call aims to address the HORIZON-HLTH-2024-DISEASE-12-01 topic within the Horizon Europe program. The opening date for submissions is January 19, 2026, with deadline dates on April 13, 2026, and August 20, 2026.