Prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases in children and young people (GACD)

Overview

Funding for implementation research focused on the prevention, risk reduction, diagnosis, and management of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children and young people (ages 1–24) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) or underserved populations in high-income countries (HICs). Targets researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers aiming to improve equitable access to evidence-based interventions.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities, including research institutions, universities, healthcare providers, public health authorities, and non-governmental organizations. Projects must demonstrate equitable partnerships between HIC and LMIC institutions or between non-Indigenous and Indigenous team members. Early career researchers must be included as co-investigators.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €11,000,000
• Funding rate: Not specified (lump-sum funding model)
• Total budget: Not specified
• Co-funding: Not required but sustainability beyond the project lifespan must be demonstrated

What Is Funded

Implementation research on evidence-based interventions for:

• Policy evaluation addressing social, economic, political, or commercial determinants of NCDs in children/young people
• Prevention strategies (e.g., educational, vaccination, behavioral/lifestyle changes)
• Screening and diagnosis (including digital tools)
• Cost-effective, patient-centered management (e.g., access to medicines, integrated care pathways, caregiver support)
• Adaptation and scaling of interventions for local, regional, or national contexts
• Focus on chronic NCDs (e.g., mental health disorders, autoimmune conditions, neurological disorders) or risk factors

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Proposals must focus on implementation research (not feasibility, etiological, or efficacy studies)
• Interventions must have existing evidence of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability
• Use of established implementation research frameworks (e.g., CFIR, RE-AIM, PRISM) or hybrid designs combining effectiveness and implementation outcomes
• Formative research may be included to support readiness for implementation

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-02-09
• Deadline: 2027-04-12T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal)
• Requires a detailed application form (HE RIA/IA) and annexes, including a template for clinical studies if applicable
• Evaluation based on excellence, impact, and implementation criteria (thresholds: 4/5 per criterion, cumulative 12/15)

Post-Award Obligations

• Participation in GACD networking activities (e.g., annual scientific meetings, joint workshops)
• Dissemination of results to policymakers, communities, and practitioners
• Reporting on implementation outcomes, real-world effectiveness, and sustainability plans
• Engagement with stakeholders for post-funding intervention sustainability
• Capacity-building for early career researchers and team members from LMICs or disadvantaged communities

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: LMICs (as defined by the World Bank) and underserved populations in HICs, including Indigenous communities. Open to legal entities in the EU, associated countries, and the USA (specific provisions apply).
• Language: English

Notes

• Proposals must include a stakeholder engagement strategy with evidence of support from key actors.
• Exclusions: Standalone feasibility projects, epidemiological cohorts, etiological/mechanistic research, clinical trials for pharmacological/behavioral interventions, or validation studies.
• Social sciences and humanities (SSH) expertise must be integrated to address societal determinants of health.
• Lump-sum funding model: Costs are pre-defined; no detailed financial reporting required post-award.
• Equity focus: Interventions must address health disparities and may target specific populations (e.g., gender, racial/ethnic groups) with justification.