Global collaboration action for prevention and treatment of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) in sub-Saharan Africa

Overview

Funding for late-stage clinical studies and implementation research aimed at preventing and treating lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Targets consortia with strong SSA representation to improve vaccine access, treatment coverage, and healthcare system capacity in the region.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising at least three independent legal entities from different countries, including:

• One entity from an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country that is also an EDCTP Association member.
• One entity from a sub-Saharan African country that is an EDCTP Association member.

Additional entities from non-eligible countries may participate if their involvement is deemed essential. Contributing partners (financial or in-kind) must submit an endorsement letter before the second-stage deadline.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 10,000,000 EUR.
• Funding rate: Not specified (standard Horizon Europe rules apply).
• Co-funding: Required from contributing partners (financial and/or in-kind) to leverage resources and enhance impact.

What Is Funded

Late-stage clinical studies (Phase IIb and later) evaluating:

• Safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, or effectiveness of approved or novel preventive or therapeutic candidates for LRTIs in SSA.
• Preventive measures (e.g., vaccines, monoclonal antibodies) or treatments (e.g., antivirals) for pathogens including S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, RSV, influenza, and adenovirus.
• Implementation research to improve coverage, access, scaling-up, or real-world effectiveness of interventions, particularly in rural and informal urban areas.
• Host-strengthening interventions (e.g., probiotics, non-pharmaceutical measures).
• Capacity building and training for healthcare workers on treatment and prevention strategies.

Excluded: Development of antibiotics, diagnostics (unless for differential diagnosis), preclinical studies, and pathogens like M. tuberculosis, CMV, coronaviruses, and fungi.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Clinical studies must focus on late-stage interventions (Phase IIb or later).
• Priority given to assets in Phase III or already approved in the EU/US.
• Proposals must include a Target Product Profile, development milestones, and plans for regulatory approval and access strategies.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-01-13T23:00:00Z.
• Deadline: 2026-03-03T23:00:00Z.

Application Process (High-Level)

Two-stage process: 1. First stage: Submission of a non-anonymized proposal. 2. Second stage: Full application required for shortlisted proposals, including a draft endorsement letter from contributing partners.

Post-Award Obligations

• Submission of an Access Plan with the second-stage proposal, detailing strategies for affordable, available, and accessible products/services, including registration targets and IP flexibility.
• Annual reporting on exploitation status for up to four years post-project.
• Best efforts to ensure broad availability of resulting health technologies; non-exclusive licensing may be required if exploitation is delayed.
• Mandatory inclusion of a scientific project leader from an SSA EDCTP Association country if the coordinator is not based in SSA.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), and EDCTP Association member countries in SSA.
• Language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must demonstrate meaningful contributions from contributing partners (financial or in-kind) to enhance impact.
• Strong emphasis on SSA-led research, including engagement with Franco/Lusophone countries and organizations in lower-research-capacity countries.
• Collaboration with African initiatives (e.g., AU-EU Health Partnership’s MAV+ hub) and technology transfer to African manufacturers is encouraged.
• Sex, gender, and age differences must be considered in study design and analysis.