In 2026, the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking will fund up to €147 million in research and innovation projects tackling tuberculosis, lower respiratory tract infections, HIV and climate-change-driven infectious diseases, among other topics. The calls for proposals opened for submission on 14 January 2026.
'At a time when global funding is under increasing pressure, Global Health EDCTP3 continues to invest in research and innovation for those who need it most. Sustained collective effort is essential to address the multiple challenges that infectious diseases continue to pose to global health security. I am deeply grateful to the European Union, our contributing partners, and member countries for supporting us in this endeavour.'
Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director, Global Health EDCTP3
'The 2026 Work Programme sends a strong signal that Global Health EDCTP3 is a reliable partner in global health. These €147 million are a sustainable investment in the future of Africa and Europe. A true win-win situation.'
Dr Henning Gädeke, Vice-Chair of the Global Health EDCTP3 Governing Board
New funding opportunities
The Global Health EDCTP3 Work Programme 2026 will support four research and innovation action (RIA) topics aimed at developing new or improved TB drugs, supporting the prevention and management of lower respiratory tract infections, ensuring better prevention, treatment and management of HIV and its co-infections and co-morbidities, and addressing the global challenge of climate and health. Interested consortia are invited to submit a short proposal by 4 March 2026 (first stage).
Additionally, two coordination and support action (CSA) call topics will support training and capacity-building activities in the areas of ethics, regulatory and pharmacovigilance, and enhance integrated research and healthcare through digital innovation and artificial intelligence. Consortia are invited to submit their full proposals by 31 August 2026 (single stage).
To leverage co-investments from contributing partners and enable large-scale clinical studies, the four RIA topics will be designated as ‘global collaboration actions’. These actions include two additional award criteria in the second stage of proposal evaluation, which assess co-funding contributions leveraged from other sources by the applicants.
An online Info Day will take place on 5 February 2026. Upon registration, a networking platform is made available to facilitate meetings between potential applicants and contributing partners.
An Africa-Europe research partnership with a track record of success
Over the past two decades, the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has grown from a pioneering vision into the world’s largest health research funding partnership between Europe and Africa.
Since 2003, EDCTP-supported research has delivered nine innovations that are already improving lives, from the first malaria vaccines to new paediatric formulations for HIV, TB and neglected tropical diseases.
The EDCTP programmes have also supported more than 3,000 African scientists and health professionals, many of whom now lead major institutions and research programmes across the continent. For an overview of these achievements, read more about the lasting benefits of EDCTP for Europe and Africa.
Now in its third iteration, Global Health EDCTP3 builds on this strong foundation to continue its mission of funding clinical trials and studies in areas of unmet medical need and high societal value, training researchers, strengthening clinical research ecosystems, and increasing health security.
A growing portfolio of projects
Since 2022, Global Health EDCTP3 has funded 107 projects fostering research and innovation, with a total contribution of €430 million.
These include 91 projects (€413 million) accelerating the development of medical countermeasures tackling infectious diseases, and 16 projects (€17 million) focused on capacity building, networking and training.
406 entities from 64 countries are involved across these initiatives and, in the true spirit of a partnership of equals, 49% of the participants are based in Africa and 44% in Europe, with the remaining 7% coming from other regions, including Asia, North America and South America.
Education and research organisations represent 65% of the participating entities in the funded projects. Small & medium enterprises (SMEs), product development partnerships (PDPs) and private for-profit institutions participate in nearly 60% of the projects.
Disease areas
Type of intervention
Contribution to scientific, technological and societal challenges
Details
- Publication date
- 20 January 2026
- Author
- Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking