Calls

Description :

Innovative healthcare interventions for non-communicable diseases - Cluster 1 - Health (Two stage - 2027) (HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-two-stage).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers, developers and clinical practitioners have access to state-of-the-art knowledge, data, technologies, tools, methods, best practices, and trainings to develop innovative healthcare interventions aimed at reducing burden of the following specific Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases or chronic kidney diseases.
• Scientific and clinical communities can use innovative healthcare interventions to generate meaningful advances in clinical practice and care for patients with NCDs following validation in late-stage clinical trials.
• Scientific and clinical communities make wide use of relevant databases and/or integrate them with existing infrastructures for storage and sharing of collected data according to FAIR[1] principles, thereby encouraging further use of the data.
• Policymakers, scientific and clinical communities, developers, patient organisations, regulators, and other relevant bodies are informed of the research advances made and the requirements for a widespread implementation of the innovative therapeutic interventions and complementary approaches.
• Patients and caregivers are constructively engaged with the research, ensuring that their needs are catered for, with the aim of tangibly benefitting from the interventions.

Description :

Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC) - Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-05).

Expected Outcome:
Proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed and tailored towards and contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC), adolescent and young cancer patients and survivors as well as their caregivers have access to innovative tools and approaches to strengthen their mental health.
• Healthcare professionals have access to innovative tools to monitor and support the mental health of cancer patients and survivors as well as their caregivers.
• Researchers and healthcare professionals have access and use reliable patient reported data to better understand the mental health needs of cancer patients and survivors and provide effective care.

Description :

Pragmatic clinical trials to optimise immunotherapeutic interventions for patients with refractory cancers - Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-03).

Expected Outcome:
Proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed and tailored towards and contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Patients with refractory cancers and their caregivers/families will have access to optimised, tailored and affordable immunotherapeutic interventions that increase their quality of life, across European regions, EU Member States and Associated Countries;
• Healthcare professionals and academia will have access to clinical evidence, on effectiveness of immunotherapeutic interventions, to deploy evidence-based treatment interventions with improved patient selection that improve outcomes in real life, i.e. in routine healthcare, for patients with refractory cancers who often present with co-morbidities;
• National healthcare providers, policymakers and authorities in European regions, EU Member States and Associated Countries will have the evidence to implement and reimburse optimised and affordable immunotherapeutic interventions in their healthcare systems, including in everyday medical practice.

Description :

Virtual Human Twin (VHT) Models for Cancer Research - Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-01).

Expected Outcome:
Proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed and tailored towards and contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers of different disciplines use advanced multiscale Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) to expand the knowledge and understanding of cancer onset and progression
• Healthcare professionals and researchers have access to advanced VHT-based solutions that model cancer onset and progression over time, contributing to improve personalised treatments
• Researchers, healthcare professionals, innovators and citizens have access to cancer VHTs through the UNCAN.eu and the advanced Virtual Human Twin platforms

Description :

Supporting the implementation of the Cancer Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-07)

Expected Outcome:
Proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed and tailored towards and contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Improved understanding of care needs of older patients with cancer and approaches to address them.
  Older cancer patients gain access to innovative age-specific approaches and tools better tailored to their care needs.
• National healthcare providers, policymakers and authorities in European regions, EU Member States and Associated
• Countries have the evidence to implement tailored care for older cancer patients that have the potential to be implemented in routine treatment and follow-up care in their healthcare systems.

Description :

Towards a better understanding and anticipation of the impacts of climate change on health - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-01).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Living and working in a health-promoting environment”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to most of the following expected outcomes:

• Citizens, patients, public authorities, social care services, healthcare practitioners and policymakers have a better understanding of the climatic health risks and determinants of disease and are better equipped to address health outcomes through enhanced and inclusive prevention, resilience, adaptation, preparedness and response, including better diagnosis and treatment.
• Governments, public health authorities, researchers and civil society organisations are supported to tackle societal challenges linked to the health impacts of climatic factors.
• Public authorities, organisations and the research community can rely on data collection and sharing according to FAIR[1] principles and leveraging of data availability and quality.
• Policymakers and public authorities develop evidence-based climate change and health policies and interventions that are nature positive, inclusive and responsive to diverse population needs.

Description :

Identifying and addressing low-value care in health and care systems - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-03).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Ensuring equal access to innovative, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• Healthcare providers and policymakers make use of evidence-based indicators and methodologies to identify low-value care[1] practices, as well as opportunities for improvement and tools to monitor such improvements.
• Healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge and tools to implement guidelines for reducing or discontinuing low-value care activities and maintaining effective and patient-centred practices that ensure quality of care.
• Patients and citizens benefit from more effective healthcare, by understanding and endorsing measures that reduce low-value care, recognising the potential to achieve higher-quality healthcare and better health outcomes overall.
• Health and care systems benefit from a reduction of low-value care practices, which enables enhanced patient safety and quality of care, while contributing to their efficiency as well as fiscal and environmental sustainability.
• Healthcare organisations can, by identifying low-value care practices, reallocate valuable healthcare resources to other areas of need.

Description :

Pilot actions for follow-on funding: Leveraging EU-funded collaborative research in regenerative medicine - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-05).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Developing and using new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• The overall competitiveness of the EU biotechnology sector is strengthened through the further development of closer-to-deployment health innovations.
• The EU benefits from greater impact of the EU’s Research and Innovation (R&I) Framework Programmes through successful leveraging of previous EU funding in the field of regenerative medicine.
• EU innovators secure further funding to finalise the last stages of development.
• Patients benefit faster from solutions that improve their health and wellbeing.

Description :

Regulatory science to support translational development of patient-centred health technologies - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-IND-03).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Maintaining an innovative, sustainable, and competitive EU health industry”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to several of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers and regulators will get accelerated access to improved evidence driven methodologies to evaluate the impact and efficiency of novel health technologies, facilitating decision-making for their use in humans and uptake in clinical practice.
• Patients and the health systems will benefit from the more targeted and efficient uptake of safe and effective health innovations in clinical practice, supporting more personalised approaches and improved care and public health.

Description :

Advancing research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of post-infection long-term conditions - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-03).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• All players along the healthcare value chain have access to evidence-based treatment and management strategies for post-infection conditions and improve patient recovery and quality of life across diverse populations.
• Public health authorities and healthcare practitioners have access to effective prevention, diagnostic and treatment tools, ensuring better allocation of healthcare resources.
• Healthcare systems improve their efficiency and reduce long-term economic burdens by streamlining post-infectious disease care and addressing disparities in healthcare access.
• Public health authorities have access to evidence-based information to integrate research findings into policy for improved public health preparedness and resilience, including training of healthcare staff and enhanced long-term disease management guidelines.

Description :

Innovative interventions to prevent the harmful effects of using digital technologies on the mental health of children and young adults - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-02).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers and healthcare professionals have an improved understanding of the neuro-biological and cognitive/behavioural evidence base on the correlation and impact of digital technologies on mental health, including brain development.
• Policymakers and digital technology and content developers are provided with a robust evidence base on the impact (positive or negative) of digital technologies on mental health in children and young adults[1].
• Policymakers, digital technology developers, and educational institutions amongst others make use (e.g. developing guidelines) of the evidence base and widely implement the newly developed interventions aimed at promoting children and young adults’ mental health while mitigating any negative impacts of digital technology use.
• Children, young adults, families, guardians, educators, and carers have access to the newly developed interventions designed to prevent harm and promote the positive use of digital technologies.
• Children and young adults are empowered and develop resilience, including digital literacy, enabling them to engage in a healthy and positive way with digital technologies.
   

Description :

Towards climate resilient, prepared and carbon neutral populations and healthcare systems - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-04).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Living and working in a health-promoting environment”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to most of the following expected outcomes:

• The healthcare sector is supported with new technological developments and frameworks for greening, decarbonising and adapting to climate change, thus also contributing to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Governments, public health authorities, healthcare providers and practitioners, social care services and civil society have access to the best available evidence on the health costs and benefits (including co-benefits) of climate adaptation and mitigation actions and interventions.
• Policymakers and public authorities develop environment, climate change and health policies and interventions based on robust frameworks and incorporating innovative, inclusive and accessible solutions and technologies.
• Governments and public health authorities are supported in their adoption of robust frameworks and interventions to tackle societal challenges linked to the health impacts of climatic and environmental factors.
• Populations are empowered and equipped with knowledge, tools and resources to adopt health-protective behaviours and adapt to health-related climate risks.

Description :

Integrating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and regulatory testing - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-03).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Developing and using new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to several of the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers are in possession of improved human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) platforms that capture the genetic, phenotypic, age-related, immune, microbiome, and environmental exposure variability of the human population.
• These innovations support more equitable healthcare solutions and personalised treatment strategies across diverse life stages.
• Industry gets access to platforms that allow a faster pace of innovation for the development of more cost-effective targeted therapeutic interventions and improvement of the safety assessment of chemicals, other medicinal products, and medical devices.
• Patients benefit from innovative platforms and strategies that improve prediction, prevention and treatment of diseases, in particular through enhanced understanding of disease pathways and mechanisms.
• The general population is better protected through a safer environment, as these platforms enhance the detection and mitigation of risks posed by chemicals and other potentially harmful substances.
• Regulatory bodies gain confidence and trust in NAMs, supporting their integration into product development, risk assessment, and approval processes.
• Fewer live animals are used in biomedical research and regulatory testing.

Description :

Development of novel vaccines for viral pathogens with epidemic potential - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-04). 

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• The scientific and clinical communities have a better understanding of and access to experimental vaccines for the prevention and treatment of emerging or re-emerging viral infections, as well as for further clinical investigation, including better understanding of biological sex and social determinants that influence immune response, vaccine efficacy, safety, and uptake.
• Candidate vaccines are available for emerging and re-emerging viral infections, increasing therapeutic options for clinical deployment in case of an epidemic or pandemic.

Description :

Understanding of sex and/or gender-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases: determinants, risk factors and pathways - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) (HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11)

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers, developers of medical interventions, and healthcare professionals have a better understanding of biological sex and/or gender-specific health determinants, risk factors and pathways for cardiovascular diseases.
• Researchers, developers of medical interventions, and healthcare professionals have access and use sex and/or gender-specific or tailored risk models for better prevention, detection and diagnostic and treatment strategies.
• Healthcare systems benefit from novel sex and/or gender-specific strategies for prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment options, resulting in reduced burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Description :

Multisectoral approach to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases: implementation research maximising collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system (GACD) - Cluster 1 - Health (Single stage - 2026) HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-09).

Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to some of the following expected outcomes:

• Researchers, policymakers, healthcare- and non-healthcare-related stakeholders and authorities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)[1] and/or those in high-income countries (HICs) serving disadvantaged populations have access to improved insights and evidence on how to maximise collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system in the context of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
• Researchers, policymakers, healthcare- and non-healthcare-related stakeholders and authorities have an improved understanding how the proposed interventions draw on collaborative multisectoral engagement and utilise the different settings in which people are educated, work and live, to expand efforts to reduce risks, prevent, manage and control NCDs.
• Communities, relevant stakeholders from different sectors and authorities are fully engaged in implementing and taking up interventions that tackle the growing burden of NCDs through actions in sectors and settings outside the traditional health system and its facilities health-related outcomes, improve quality of life across the life course and extend healthy life expectancy.