Publication of the first transnational call of the BE READY partnership (European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness): "Advancing knowledge of host and pathogens dynamics to better combat emerging diseases"

The Ministry of Health (hereinafter referred to as "MZD") publishes on20 2026,in accordance with Act No. 130/2002 Coll., on the support of research, experimental development, and innovation from public funds and on amendments to certain related acts (Act on the Support of Research, Experimental Development, and Innovation), as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"),

Joint transnational call of the BE READY (European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness): "Advancing knowledge of host and pathogens dynamics to better combat emerging diseases"

Call 2026

Deadline for announcement of results
November 2026

National budget allocation for the call
500 000 EUR

Maximum amount of support per project
250 000 EUR

Maximum aid intensity per project
Table: Maximum possible aid intensity by type of entity and type of research (according to the current version Methodology: European Partnerships in Health)

Applicants
nd a research organization, a company, or a patient organization

Project duration
3years / 36 months

Deadlines for submitting project proposals:
Pre-proposals: April 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m. CET
Full proposals: August 20, 2026, 1:00 p.m. CEST

Interested parties can participate inan international information webinar, which will take placeon January 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (CET). Linkto connect here:WEBINAR

Documents

Conditions for the participation of Czech applicants in BE READY JTC 2026

Methodology: European Partnerships for Health

Sub-programme 3: European Partnerships in Health - effective from 22.5.2024

Mandatory attachments of the Czech applicant for Phase 1 (pre-proposals)

  1. Affidavit on behalf of the tenderer or co-tenderer (PO)
  2. Affidavit for the applicant or co-applicant (ČP FO)
  3. Affidavit for research organisations (if applicable)
  4. Affidavit of consortium composition (only if a Czech company is represented in the project)
  5. Budget table (AZV ČR Form) 

Mandatory annexes of the Czech applicant for Phase 2 (full proposals)

  1. Affidavit of competence;
  2. Updated budget table AZV ČR Application Form)

Other documents

Commission Regulation

Frascati manual

Definition of types of results

The official call documents are available here

Information about the call

Transnational Partnership Call BE READY: “Advancing knowledge of host and pathogens dynamics to better combat emerging diseases”aims to:

The aim of the callis to deepen scientific knowledge and evidence-based understanding of newly emerging or re-emergingpathogens with pandemic potentialand ofhost responses to infection, with a view to improving the abilityto predict, prevent, and respond to infectious health threatsthrough a transnational, collaborative and interdisciplinary approach linking research and development. This call will support innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transnational research projects aimed at betterunderstanding the pandemic potential of newly emerging pathogens, elucidating their pathophysiology, and developing innovative medical countermeasures.

Projects should aim to achieve at least one of the following outcomes:

  • Identification of new molecular targets specific to pathogens and areas susceptible to mutations;
  • A better understanding of how hosts and pathogens interact in zoonoses and the "One Health" approach;
  • Using the "Pathogen X" approach to create transferable knowledge that can then be applied to other dangerous viruses in the same group;
  • Development and optimization of new substances with high therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity, especially for vulnerable population groups;
  • Identification and verification of therapeutic targets, including data integration and modeling, and search for antigenic structures suitable for vaccine development (i.e., proof-of-concept studies);
  • Improving data handling and modeling for predicting pathogen behavior and their sensitivity to treatment;
  • Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions in humans, including genetic risk factors;
  • Development and refinement of advanced immunological tests, experimental models, and preclinical studies that link host genetics to disease progression.

Projects dealing with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and clinical studies will not be supported under this call.

Size of the project consortium

Each project consortium must includeat least 3 partners from 3 different eligible countries, with at least 2 of them being from EU Member States or associated countries. Each of these partners must be eligible and apply for funding from the relevant funding organization. All three legal entities must be independent of each other.One partner from one countryis allowed per consortium, unlessnational conditions specify otherwise. The project coordinator must be eligible for funding by their regional/national funding organization participating in the call. The project coordinator may not be changed between the first and second phases. A maximumof one partner with its own funding, known as an external partner,is allowed in the consortium.The maximum number of partners is six,including the external partner. The number of partners maybe increased to seven if the consortium includes an under-represented country or enterprise. Only transnational projects will be funded.

List of participating countries:

Belgium (FNRS and FWO), Czech Republic (MZČR/AZVČR), Denmark (IFD), Estonia (ETAG), France (ANRS MIE), Ireland (Research Ireland), Italy (IT MOH), Hungary (NKFIH), Moldova (NARD), Germany (BMFTR/DLR-PT), Netherlands (ZonMw), Norway (RCN), Portugal (FCT), Austria (FWF), Greece (GSRI), Slovakia (CVTI SR), Spain (ISCIII), Sweden (SRC), Turkey (TUBITAK).

*The list of participating countries is current as of January 19, 2026.

Call rules:

The call is governed by transnational rules common to applicants from all participating countries. In addition to the transnational rules, Czech applicants must also comply with the national conditions set by the relevant national provider. Applicants participating in applied research projects will therefore have to comply with national conditions based on Sub-programme 3: European Partnerships in Health.

Contact persons:

Ing. Rachel Hengalová
Email: 
Tel: + 420 778 880 697

Mgr. Monika Kocmanová
Email: 
Tel: +420 778 973 186

You can also submit questions about the transnational call via email: .