Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence

Overview

Supports coordination and capacity-building efforts to integrate digital health tools and AI into healthcare and research systems in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting infectious disease prevention, detection, and treatment. Aims to strengthen partnerships, improve data interoperability, and scale validated digital innovations at national or sub-regional levels.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising:

• At least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries.
• At least one entity from an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country that is also an EDCTP Association member.
• At least one entity from a sub-Saharan African (SSA) country that is an EDCTP Association member.

Francophone and Lusophone SSA countries are encouraged to participate. Entities from non-eligible countries may join if deemed essential for the action.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 2,250,000 EUR.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Eligible costs are defined by the Horizon Europe lump sum decision.

What Is Funded

• Coordination and support actions (CSA) to:

- Scale validated digital health innovations at national or sub-regional levels. - Improve data interoperability and harmonization of electronic health records. - Develop roadmaps for sustainable integration of digital tools into clinical trials and public health systems. - Strengthen human capacity in digital health, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and AI. - Foster stakeholder collaboration, knowledge sharing, and policy alignment with international standards. - Address AI bias, sustainability, and societal acceptability of digital tools. - Engage communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in digital transformation.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Proposals must target Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6.
• Focus on low-risk digital/AI approaches with demonstrated feasibility.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-01-13.
• Deadline: 2026-09-01.

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout specified in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Post-Award Obligations

• Designation of a scientific project leader from an SSA country if the coordinator is not based in SSA.
• Inclusion of a work package on scientific project leadership with allocated budget.
• Compliance with reporting, dissemination, and ethics requirements.
• Public sharing of outcomes where applicable.
• EDCTP Association may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, and EDCTP Association member countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Consortia may include the EDCTP Association as coordinator, with its costs covered as in-kind contributions.
• Proposals must demonstrate alignment with WHO AFRO, Africa CDC, and other regional digital health strategies.
• Equity across SSA countries and collaboration with global partners are encouraged.
• Proposals should address affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of digital tools.