Support for international infectious disease preparedness research

Specific Challenge: Human health worldwide is increasingly threatened by potential epidemics caused by existing, new and emerging infectious diseases, including those which are resistant to antimicrobial agents. An infectious epidemic can strike anywhere, and at any time globally. In order to save lives, the research response needs to be quick, flexible, comprehensive and global and therefore is beyond the capacity of any single country or even the European Union. Besides being a major threat to human health, such epidemics are a severe burden on the global economy with an impact on competitiveness, growth and jobs.

In response to these challenges a global, multi-funder initiative has been launched, the global research collaboration for infectious disease preparedness (GloPID-R). Support is therefore required in building, maintaining and coordinating a global consortium of funding organisations working towards the goal of preparing for a rapid joint global research response to any new outbreak.

Scope: Proposals should provide organisational support to the implementation of GloPID-R, in close collaboration with the European Commission, research funding agencies from Member States and from non-EU countries. Proposals should foresee mapping of GloPID-R relevant networks worldwide.

Proposals should assist the GloPID-R executive committee, notably for the organisation of and reporting on meetings (e.g. ad hoc meetings of working groups), support information exchange among all members of the participating bodies, facilitate the development of a strategic research agenda as well as the coordination among relevant research projects and initiatives.  Proposals should also communicate progress of relevant research funded under Horizon 2020 and by consortium members. Proposals should also include support activities with relevant stakeholders groups and with the public at large (e.g. development of website, communication materials, etc.). Proposals should involve non-EU regions particularly affected by emerging epidemics.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 2 to 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: In line with the Union’s strategy for international cooperation[1] in research and innovation, the project will contribute to implementing the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness.

Reinforced international cooperation in funding of research in new and emerging infectious diseases aiming to ensure a rapid and effective research response in case of an outbreak.

Effective operations of the global research collaboration for infectious disease preparedness consortium (GloPID-R) for 5 years.

Better mutual information and complementarity of funding/research initiatives worldwide in the area of emerging infectious diseases.

Decreased legal, regulatory, and financial barriers to the rapid mounting of a joint global research response

Type of action: Coordination and support actions

[1] COM(2012)497