Jan 29, 2026

Pandemic research - BE READY partnership launches first Call!

The European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness (BE READY Partnership) aims to establish a European research and innovation ecosystem that is optimally prepared for future health crises caused by infectious diseases. This ecosystem will be capable of responding swiftly and efficiently to such crises and will be fully integrated into the broader European institutional framework for health security.

In total, 21 funding organisations have agreed to launch the first JTC in the BE READY Partnership (JTC 2026). This call will support innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary and transnational research projects aiming for a better understanding of the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens, elucidating the pathophysiology induced by these pathogens, and developing innovative medical countermeasures.

Therefore, proposals are expected to deliver results that are directed towards and contributing to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

Identification of novel pathogen-specific molecular targets and mutation hotspots (i.e. discovery of critical proteins, enzymes or signalling 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 optimisation 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 modelling 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 modelling to predict pathogen behaviour 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 should focus exclusively one or multiple viruses belonging in the following families. Proposals addressing global approaches towards a whole family of these pathogens are also feasible: Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Poxviridae, Togaviridae, „Pathogen X" (see above).

Excluded are the following topics / aspects:

Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens (resistant to antibiotics and antifungal agents). AMR pandemic will be addressed in detail in other networks/organisations such as the European partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (EUP OHAMR);
Research exclusively on environmental and social causes for the emergence and spread of the pathogens;
Research exclusively on the transmission dynamics and epidemiology of the pathogens;
Clinical studies3.

Expected impact:

The funded projects are expected to generate scientific knowledge and innovative tools that strengthen European and global pandemic preparedness, inform evidence-based policy-making, and/or contribute to the development of novel countermeasures (diagnostics, therapeutics and preventive strategies) with a potential for rapid deployment during future health emergencies.

Timeline and eligibility criteria:

13^th April 2026 – pre-proposal submission
20^th August 2026 – full-proposal submission
Min. 3 partner from at least 3 participating countries
Max. 6 – 7 partner
1 External (own-funded) partner allowed
300,000 EUR German funding per project

Participating countries:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Türkiye

Further information:

https://beready4pandemics.eu/joint-transnational-calls/

Contact at EPC: