When a crisis strikes—whether an outbreak of a mosquito-borne virus or the unthinkable use of chemical or biological agents—preparedness is what determines the speed and effectiveness of the response. In September 2025, the European Commission unveiled a new round of EU4Health Programme action grants, designed to accelerate innovation in medical countermeasures and diagnostic tools. The calls are managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) under the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
This year’s calls prioritize four critical areas:
- Medical Countermeasures: Medicinal products (vaccines, antivirals, antidotes, and treatments) against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
- PPE: Reusable respiratory protective equipment and suits, to strengthen frontline protection.
- Rapid Detection and Diagnostics: Platforms to surveil and identify for CBRN agents.
- Novel Diagnostics for Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs): Focused on high-burden and emerging pathogens such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile virus, which are spreading further due to climate change and global travel.
Why This Matters for Health Security
Preparedness for low-probability but high-impact events, such as CBRN incidents or deliberate terrorist use of hazardous agents, is a cornerstone of health security. Even if these events are rare, their potential to cause mass casualties, overwhelm healthcare systems, and disrupt economies makes investment in countermeasures indispensable. Building a broader arsenal of vaccines, antidotes, diagnostics, and protective equipment ensures that governments and health systems can respond rapidly and decisively when conventional resources are insufficient.
At the same time, health resilience also depends on strengthening infrastructure to manage ongoing and emerging threats, including the rise of vector-borne diseases driven by climate change, urbanization, and global mobility. Mosquito-borne infections like dengue or Zika often present with vague early symptoms, leading to underdiagnosis and delayed response. Developing accurate, affordable, and rapid diagnostics not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances surveillance, containment, and public confidence. Together, investments in both crisis-specific countermeasures and day-to-day public health capacities create a stronger, more adaptive system capable of protecting populations across a spectrum of threats.
Funding Scope and Impact
With a total budget of €30 million (approx $32 million USD), the initiative aims to push promising technologies closer to market readiness.
- Up to €18 million is allocated for medicinal countermeasures, with 2–3 projects expected to be funded.
- €1 million each will go toward new designs for reusable PPE and advanced CBRN diagnostics.
- €10 million supports 2–3 projects developing innovative VBD diagnostics.
Successful proposals are expected to yield concrete outcomes, such as new vaccine or therapeutic candidates reaching clinical trial stages, improved PPE prototypes, rapid tests for biotoxins, and field-ready diagnostic assays for mosquito-borne diseases.
Broader Policy and Strategic Alignment
These actions contribute to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), aligning civil preparedness with industrial resilience and bridging gaps with defense-focused initiatives. They are also designed to complement Horizon Europe research and European Defence Fund projects, reinforcing a whole-of-society approach to crisis response.
For Stakeholders
Eligible applicants include universities, research organizations, hospitals, SMEs, public authorities, and networks of end users. Applications are due by 4 December 2025, with projects expected to begin in 2026 and run for up to four years depending on scope.
By mobilizing innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration, these calls aim to fortify Europe’s “health shield” against both natural and deliberate threats—an investment in resilience that serves citizens, governments, and global health security alike.
For more details on eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures, visit the HERA announcement and view the Call for Proposals.