Newsletter October 2024

Focus

Unlocking Health Breakthroughs: Funding Opportunities in Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe funding on health focuses on improving health and well-being across all ages. The Cluster 1 Health Work Programme and European Partnerships, like the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), have calls every year and Swiss entities are eligible to participate.

If you are active in health research, there is a lot happening!

Participants from Swiss universities, universities of applied sciences, hospitals, companies and research institutes are actively involved in Horizon Europe projects. Their contributions span from innovative drug development to advanced medical devices and digital health solutions. Their success highlights the strong commitment to advancing health research and improving health.

Cluster Health focuses on disease prevention and treatment, taking into account the impact of environmental and social factors on well-being. It recognises that understanding diseases, including noncommunicable and rare diseases, is crucial for developing personalised medicine that tailors treatments to individual patients. Additionally, innovative health technologies and improvements in healthcare systems aim to enhance diagnosis, treatment and overall healthcare delivery.

Another funding opportunity is IHI, turning health research and innovation into benefits for patients and society as well as delivering safe, effective health innovations that cover the entire spectrum of care – from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Swiss entities also play a key role in this partnership, for example contributing to projects tackling antibiotic resistance and improved management of diabetes.

Swiss entities are also active in EDCTP3. This partnership focuses on accelerating the development of new treatments for diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. The University of Basel, Medicines for Malaria Venture and Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, for example, are contributing to various research projects and clinical trials.

Keep up to date on open and upcoming calls and make use of Euresearch services and the networking and brokerage events the Health-NCP-Net offers. It is ultimately about boosting your chances of success in securing funding and networking with European partners.

Authors: Sasha Hugentobler and Nicole Wyss, National Contact Points for Health
Illustration: Alexandra Rosakis

EU and Canada Launch Joint Plan for Global Health Challenges

The EC has announced the Health Policy Dialogue, a joint plan by the EU and Canada to advance cooperation on antimicrobial resistance, health security, and non-communicable diseases, including cancer and mental health. The aim is to address these challenges through knowledge exchanges that share expertise and best practices.

New European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA)

With nearly 180 partners from 37 countries and a total budget of €380 million, ERDERA is the largest co-funded partnership in the field of rare disease research and innovation. It aims to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for the estimated 30 million people in Europe affected by rare diseases.

Contribution for Coordination in Project Proposals

To date the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has granted CHF 10 000 towards the coordination of Swiss projects under Horizon Europe. In view of the federal government’s strained financial outlook, SERI has decided to no longer grant such coordination contributions as of the 2025 Horizon Europe calls. The available federal funds will be put entirely towards financing projects under the direct funding scheme. Contact for questions.

MSCA Doctoral Networks 2024 Handbook

The handbook for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks has been updated and published by MSCA-NET for the 2024 call. This document guides applicants in the proposal writing process and provides detailed information, tips and tricks.

New Horizon Europe Success Story

Dr Susanne Vogelgsang is head of the Extension Arable Crops research group at Agroscope. She shares her experience of participating in European research projects (in the framework programme for research and innovation). Get valuable insights from a Swiss researcher with a track record of success at European level.

Subscribe to Our New WhatsApp Channel

Stay informed at all times. Get the latest Horizon Europe news, call updates and more via our WhatsApp channel. Subscribe to the channel via the link. Spread the news and feel free to forward the link to other interested people.

EIT Food Impact Funding Framework – Call Open

The submission window for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food “Impact Funding Framework” call is now open. Funding is focused on two separate areas – larger-scale collaborative programmes and innovative single projects.
Deadline: 14.11.2024

Sustainable Energy Supply and Energy Use – Call Open

The EC has launched two new calls for proposals in Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility. The calls cover 18 topics in the areas of sustainable energy supply (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-02) and energy use (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D4-02).
Deadline: 04.02.2025

Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities – Call Open

The EC has launched a new call to support research and innovation under the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. The call covers 4 topics on changing urban spaces and mindsets to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality.
Deadline: 11.02.2025

EIT Health – Matchmaking 2025

EIT Health – Matchmaking 2025 took place last week. This European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health matchmaking event for the Flagship 2025 calls offered information sessions, networking, workshops and targeted meetings. You find information and all the profiles of the participants on the event webpage. You can search for potential partners per country, thematic, organisation type etc. A great way of networking!

EIT Health Flagship – Summary of 2025 Calls

This overview presents the yearly calls for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health Flagship. Some calls are still open. They are for you if you have an innovative project or an idea for an upskilling/reskilling education or accelerator programme in the field of digital transformation of healthcare.

Innovative Europe under Horizon Europe – Evaluation Study

An independent study has praised the effectiveness of actions supporting innovation under Horizon Europe's Pillar 3: Innovative Europe (EIC, EIE and EIT), identifying their achievements and successes but also areas for improvement and potential overlaps.

Health Q&A Session for 2024 Calls

Are you involved in a Cluster Health project proposal for the 26 November deadline? Are you working in Switzerland or are you a coordinator with a Swiss partner in your consortium? If so, this 1-hour online Q&A session is tailored specifically for you! We look forward to answering your questions.
28.10.2024, Online

EIT Water Networking Platform

Are you interested in building the future European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Water? Join a B2B networking platform to connect with potential partners. The upcoming call for this new Knowledge and Information Community in water, marine, maritime sectors and ecosystems will be published in 2025, with the launch of EIT Water in 2026.

Newsletter October 2024

Unlocking Health Breakthroughs: Funding Opportunities in Horizon Europe

News

EU and Canada Launch Joint Plan for Global Health Challenges

New European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA)