Annual calls for proposals with specified topics promote the networking of basic medical research with clinical, epidemiological, environmental and socio-economic research. Digital solutions and health systems are also an important topic for research and innovation projects.
Calls for proposals 2026 in Cluster Health are now closed, all details to the Calls 2027 can be found at Funding.
Programme priorities Cluster 1 ‘Health’
- Health throughout the life course
- Ecological and social health factors
- Non-communicable and rare diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Instruments, technologies and digital solutions for health and care
- Healthcare systems
Oncology research topics do not constitute a separate priority area, but are largely covered by the ‘Cancer’ mission. (see below)
European partnerships in the health sector
In addition to the calls for proposals in Cluster 1 ‘Health’, there are funding opportunities within the framework of public-public and public-private partnerships, which are financially supported by Horizon Europe. There are three formats of European partnerships: institutionalised, co-funded and co-programmed partnerships. Austrian organisations can participate in the partnership calls unless otherwise specified.
In Cluster 1, the following European partnerships are already underway or still in the planning stage:
Institutionalised partnerships
- Innovative Health Initiative (IHI): Launched in 2021, the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is a partnership between the European Union and key industry associations in the health sector. In annual one- and two-stage calls, research projects on a wide range of topics such as health care, diagnostics, treatment and much more are funded. Industry participation with in-kind contributions is an essential part of the projects, which are open to all types of organisations.
- Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking Partnership (GH EDCTP3 JU): Launched in 2021, the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking Partnership (GH EDCTP3 JU) is a partnership between the European Commission and the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Association. Regular calls for proposals are issued to fund research projects for the clinical evaluation of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for the most important infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Novel approaches to monitoring and controlling emerging/recurrent infections and building clinical research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa are also supported.
Co-funded partnerships
- ERA4Health: Launched at the end of 2022, the ERA4Health partnership focuses on improving the health of the European population and healthcare. Funding organisations from 22 countries are launching joint calls for proposals. In Austria, the BMBWF and the FWF are involved.
- Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS): Launched in 2023, the Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) partnership promotes the transformation of health and care systems. Together with 24 other countries, the BMK and the FFG are participating as partners for Austria.
- European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC): The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC) supports EU and national authorities in assessing the safety of chemical substances. Twenty-eight countries are participating in the partnership, which was launched in 2022. For Austria, the Federal Environment Agency and a number of affiliated entities (AGES, AIT, Bionanonet, MUW, MUI, UMIT, University of Innsbruck, University of Vienna, University of Graz) are involved in the partnership's research activities with their own budgets. No external calls for proposals are planned in this partnership.
- European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed): The aim of the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed) is to improve future healthcare through personalised therapies, diagnostic options and preventive measures implemented in clinical practice. The partnership was launched in 2023, with the BMBWF and the FWF participating as partners for Austria.
- European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA): The European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA) aims to support people with rare diseases through new diagnostics and treatment methods. The partnership is a continuation of the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP Rare Diseases) and will start in September 2024. The FWF is involved as the funding agency for Austria, and several research organisations are also participating. The first calls for proposals are expected in the second half of 2024.
- European Partnership for One Health/Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): The European Partnership for One Health/Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is expected to start in 2025. The partnership will focus on various aspects of antibiotic resistance, such as diagnostics, therapeutics, surveillance, transmission and evolution, and interventions for prevention and damage control. This partnership is the successor initiative to the long-standing JPI AMR, the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance.
- European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness: Another partnership, the European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness, is in preparation with the aim of improving the EU's preparedness to predict, prevent and respond to emerging infectious health threats. The preparation of the partnership, which is expected to start in 2025, is supported by the Coordination and Support Action BE READY.
- European Partnership Brain Health: The European Partnership Brain Health is expected to launch in 2026 and will focus on improving early diagnosis, monitoring, intervention, care and support for people with brain diseases. The partnership is supported by the Coordination and Support Action BrainHealth in the preparatory phase and builds on a number of predecessor initiatives such as the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND), the ERANET Neuron (Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research) and the Human Brain Project (HBP).
Mission Cancer
A new approach from Horizon Europe is research and innovation missions (missions) with the aim of developing solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges within a defined timeframe.
In the health sector, the Mission Cancer (Mission Cancer) is relevant. Its motto is ‘Conquering Cancer: Mission Possible’. The Mission Cancer aims to save or prolong more than 3 million lives by 2030 and improve the quality of life of those affected. Through a better understanding of cancer and improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the quality of life of all those affected is to be improved and equitable access to cancer treatment ensured throughout Europe.
The Mission Cancer Call 2026 will open on 10 February and is open until 15 September 2026.
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