European Commission Funding Opportunity: Global Collaboration Action on Climate and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

The European Commission, through the Horizon Europe framework and the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, has launched a major funding opportunity to support large-scale collaborative research on climate change and health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

The call, titled Global Collaboration Action on Climate and Health in sub-Saharan Africa, targets the rising burden of climate-sensitive infectious diseases through international, interdisciplinary research and innovation. The initiative aims to strengthen global health security while advancing equitable, evidence-based solutions that benefit vulnerable populations in SSA and, where relevant, Europe.

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Programme Overview and Key Dates

This call is part of Horizon Europe under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme and follows a two-stage submission process.

Key details:

• Programme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
• Type of action: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
• Submission model: Two-stage
• Stage 1 deadline: 4 March 2026
• Stage 2 deadline: 17 September 2026
• Total indicative budget: EUR 25 million
• Expected number of funded projects: Approximately five

Proposals must demonstrate scientific excellence, strong impact potential, and robust implementation capacity.

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Rationale and Strategic Context

Climate change is already affecting an estimated 3.6 billion people globally, with projections suggesting around 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 from climate-related health impacts. Although Africa contributes relatively little to global emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate-linked health emergencies.

In sub-Saharan Africa:

• Over half of public health emergencies in the past two decades were climate-related
• Water-borne diseases accounted for about 40 percent of these events
• Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases continue to rise
• Women, children, displaced communities, and low-income households are among the most affected

These realities highlight the need for coordinated international research aligned with the European Commission’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change.

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Expected Impact and Outcomes

Funded projects are expected to contribute to:

• Reduced burden of climate-sensitive water- and vector-borne diseases in SSA
• Progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 13 (Climate Action)
• Strengthened international research collaboration and resource mobilisation

Anticipated outcomes include:

• Improved health outcomes for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in SSA and, where relevant, Europe
• Stronger evidence base for climate–health policy development
• Increased engagement of communities and primary health care systems in disease prevention and control

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Scope and Research Requirements

Proposals must include at least one major research component and meet comprehensive inclusion criteria.

Mandatory research components (at least one):

• Phase IIb, III, or IV clinical trials for preventive or therapeutic medicines or vaccines
• Large-scale implementation research on validated medical devices or novel vector control interventions

Additional required elements:

• Integration of One Health approaches linking human, animal, and environmental health
• Engagement with primary health care systems and community health workers
• Inclusion of underserved and vulnerable populations, including children under five, pregnant women, older persons, immunocompromised individuals, and displaced communities

Further requirements (at least two):

• Inclusion of indigenous populations where relevant
• Assessment of climate impacts on medical supply chains
• Active involvement of policymakers and health authorities
• Alignment with national climate adaptation and health emergency plans
• Adaptation of primary health care systems to climate stressors

Preclinical studies are excluded, except where preparatory activities directly enable eligible clinical research.

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Consortium Composition and Governance

Consortia must ensure strong participation from both sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

Minimum consortium requirements:

• At least three independent legal entities from different eligible countries
• At least one beneficiary from an EU Member State or associated country
• At least one beneficiary from a sub-Saharan African EDCTP Association member country

If the project coordinator is not based in SSA, a scientific project leader from an SSA country must be appointed to oversee scientific leadership and governance.

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Funding, Access, and Affordability Obligations

Projects must combine European Commission funding with financial and/or in-kind contributions from partners, with transparent budgets and activity descriptions.

Awarded projects are subject to affordability and access obligations, requiring that resulting health technologies are:

• Accessible
• Available
• Affordable under fair and reasonable conditions

Applicants must submit an access plan covering regulatory pathways, manufacturing, intellectual property management, and distribution strategies, particularly for low-resource settings.

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Collaboration and Knowledge Translation

Funded projects are encouraged to:

• Participate in joint networking and knowledge-sharing activities
• Collaborate with existing EDCTP networks, adaptive platform trials, and research initiatives
• Translate findings into public health practice and policy using established toolkits

Multidisciplinary approaches integrating health, climate science, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors are strongly encouraged.

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How to apply

Click here to apply. 

The European Commission’s Horizon Europe–EDCTP3 call on Global Collaboration Action on Climate and Health in sub-Saharan Africa offers EUR 25 million to support large-scale, interdisciplinary research tackling climate-sensitive infectious diseases. With a two-stage application process and a first deadline of 4 March 2026, the call seeks strong EU–Africa consortia capable of delivering clinical and implementation research, strengthening health systems, and generating evidence to inform policy and practice in vulnerable communities across sub-Saharan Africa.

For more opportunities, click here.