The challenges of research ethics and integrity in response to crisis: the coronavirus pandemic and beyond
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The first priority is to analyse what characterises, from an ethics perspective, a crisis of a global, sudden and unexpected nature of the type of the Covid-19 pandemic, and isolate what are the related ethics and integrity challenges as regards the production, sharing and use of scientific knowledge and data in designing and implementing responses as well as in anticipating future global urgencies. The scope should also cover the ethics of the scientific work on public health measures, including those aiming at an increased preparedness.
The objective of this Call is to cover emerging ethics issues related to new concepts like “immunisation certification” that are at the centre of vivid debates involving fundamental values.
Detailed Call Description
The action should clearly highlight the need to always conduct, prior to the start of a research, an independent ethical review, which remains a necessary safeguard for the individuals involved and enhance the trust from the impacted communities and the society as a whole. The action should result in the identification of policy options at EU level and practical ways to support the work of relevant stakeholders notably the ethics committees and integrity bodies. In addition, this action should produce traditional and online training material for students, early career and experienced researchers. Case studies (for example on mobile tracing apps) should be included.
The work should be based on existing know how and identification of preparedness need. The joint advise on “Improving Pandemic Preparedness and Management” by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and Peter Piot, special advisor to the President of the European Commission, should be considered. In a bottom-up approach, involving all relevant stakeholders (e.g. researchers, research funders, policy-makers, publishers and citizens) through the organisation of participatory events (workshops, consultations, ‘town hall’ meetings) the activities should propose ways and means to encourage changes in the research culture, and promote openness, communication and dialogue. This must be done in cooperation with ENRIO and ENERI. The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity should be a main reference.
Although the main focus should be on the recent Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important to have in mind the wider objective of addressing the ethics of global crisis of the same kind (manmade or not). Cooperation with actors from China, Korea and/or African countries non-associated to Horizon Europe is required.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
EU contribution: € 4,50 million
Thematic Categories
- Enlargement
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- NGOs
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
Eligibility For Participation Notes
- Legal entities established in non-associated third countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support action.
- Proposals must include at least two participants from China, Korea and/or African countries nonassociated to Horizon Europe. Participants from countries, which are not eligible for funding according to the General Annexes, may take part in the project as associated partners.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia
P.O.Box 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Phone Number: +357 22205000
Email Address: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Persons:
Ms Constantina Makri
Scientific Officer
Contact Phone: +357 22 205 054
Contact Email: cmakri@research.org.cy
Ms Katerina Karakasidou
Scientific Officer
Contact Phone: +357 22 205 036
Contact Email: kkarakasidou@research.org.cy
Mr. Marinos Photiades
Scientific Officer
Contact phone: +357 22205048
Contact email: mphotiades@research.org.cy
Dr Kalypso Sepou
Head of European Programmes Department
Contact Phone: +357 22 205066
Contact Email: kalypso@research.org.cy
(Publish Date: 13/09/2021-for internal use only)