Health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: bridging science-policy gaps by addressing persistent scientific uncertainties

Closed

Code: 26891 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of increasing importance in chemical regulations in the European Union. This approach would aim at, inter alia, minimising overall exposure of humans and the environment to endocrine disruptors, paying particular attention to exposures during important periods of development of an organism, such as foetal development and puberty, possibly integrating a life course approach, as well as accelerating the development of a thorough research basis for effective and forward-looking decision-making. This includes research for the further management of chemicals (including multi-constituent chemicals as well as chemical mixtures), the understanding of the mechanistic effects of endocrine disruptors and their dose-response relationships (including at the molecular and cellular level through the use of new approach methodologies, such as ‘multiomics’, cheminformatics, in vitro 2D and 3D models, in vivo models and computational approaches), and the collection, sharing, harmonisation and combination of robust data sources.

Development and harmonisation of methodologies for assessing digital health technologies in Europe

Closed

Code: 26889 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-IND-06-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The proposals under this topic are expected to develop and harmonise methodologies for assessing digital health technologies (including mhealth apps and telehealth, as well as Artificial Intelligence powered health technologies) in order to facilitate assessment of their added value at individual, health system and society levels and facilitate the cross-border deployment of digital health services within the EU. Existing Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methodology is well developed for health technologies such as medicinal products, but also for some categories of medical devices; however digitalisation raises new methodological challenges to the standardisation of assessment criteria such as privacy, cybersecurity, data storage and handling, interoperability, usability etc. Also including aspects like learning curves, iterative development of innovations, variability between settings, determining optimal timing of evaluations in the development process (maturity) are not yet solved.

Towards structuring brain health research in Europe

Closed

Code: 26884 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Member States and Associated Countries have agreed to step up their coordination in the area of brain research, which could take the form of a European partnership on Brain Health in the second Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe.

Evidence-based interventions for promotion of mental and physical health in changing working environments (post-pandemic workplaces)

Closed

Code: 26882 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Mental health and ergonomic-related problems affect a significant number of EU workers. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common work-related health problems in the EU and workers and managers commonly identify stress, depression and anxiety as serious psychosocial outcomes of workplace exposures. Changes in the organisation of work can bring flexibility that allows more people to enter the labour force, but may also lead to psychosocial problems.
Some workplaces have either become exclusively virtual or they have evolved into a ‘hybrid’ model (e.g. multilocational working, home office), some work tasks and processes performed virtually and others requiring physical presence. A significant number of jobs are performed at clients’ premises or require workers to commute long distances and/or cross borders regularly. Data on how these affect their mental/physical health and well-being is scarce.

Clinical trials of combined Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)

Closed

Code: 26879 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The subjects of this topic are combined ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). Such combined ATMPs are composed of an ATMP and one or more medical devices or one or more active implantable medical devices, and their cellular or tissue part must either contain viable cells or tissues, or non-viable cells or tissues liable for exerting the primary action on the human body.
Research should focus on advanced stages of clinical development with regulatory work on the Medical Device part completed and safety studies of the combination product in an advanced stage.

Better integration and use of health-related real-world and research data, including genomics, for improved clinical outcomes

Closed

Code: 26872 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

This topic aims to support proposals focusing on the integration of health data from multiple sources (e.g. electronic health records, genomics, medical imaging, laboratory and diagnostic results, pathogen data, public health registries and other clinical research data) by linking real-world and clinical research data. The data integration should be exemplified in several use-cases, i.e. well-justified groups of diseases (excluding cancer), within and/or across medical domains, and pave the way towards improved health outcomes. At least one of those use cases should build on the use of whole genome sequence data.

Harnessing the potential of real-time data analysis and secure Point-of-Care computing for the benefit of person-centred health and care delivery

Closed

Code: 26866 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The proposals under this topic are expected to develop and test innovative tools, devices and systems for point-of-care applications, including but not limited to robotics, photonics, bio-sensing, artificial intelligence etc. The proposals should demonstrate advancement and integration of technologies from proof-of-concept to prototype demonstration in operational environment. Devices and systems should be designed, developed and tested vis-à-vis defined use cases, based on the appropriate involvement of clinicians and other stakeholders, ensuring they can be seamlessly integrated into existing digital infrastructures and clinical workflows. The use cases in care settings could include but are not limited to surgery workflows, Intensive Care Unit workflows and integration of remote patient monitoring into clinical workflows. Data quality, integration and interoperability, as well as issues of cybersecurity and data protection have to be addressed. Clinical studies should be an integral part of the work proposed, with developmental iteration steps and consultation of regulators included as appropriate. Establishing synergies with AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities, European Digital Innovation Hubs and other similar initiatives is encouraged. Proposals must include a short description of initial business plan as part of the exploitation activities.

Developing a Data Quality and Utility Label for the European Health Data Space

Closed

Code: 26864 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05-09 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) will provide a common EU framework for secondary use of health data such as research, innovation, regulatory purposes, policymaking and personalised medicine. It will enable data users to have access to large amounts of health data through health data access bodies empowered with the EHDS legal provisions to overcome existing limitations regarding the processing of health data for secondary uses. To support data users in the discovery and selection of datasets for their purposes, there is a growing need to develop a data quality and utility framework to articulate the characteristics and the potential usefulness of datasets. This framework will also support data holders in identifying and addressing areas of improvement which can, in turn, allow for wider and better use of these datasets. The proposed framework should take into account the various needs of data users whilst at the same time avoid becoming an excessive burden on data holders which will need to produce the data quality and utility label.

Environmentally sustainable and climate neutral health and care systems

Closed

Code: 26862 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-CARE-04-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Health and care systems are undergoing structural changes, for example by strengthening primary care and community-based care, strengthening digitalisation and making sure patients are treated or cared for at the most efficient level. This offers the possibility to connect structural changes with an environmental transformation.
Research and innovation activities under this topic should be specific to health and care sectors. They should include cost studies when relevant (environmental impacts and benefits to be quantified through the life cycle thinking approach (e.g. LCA/SLCA), to be effectively implemented in line with the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan) and piloting research results onsite in hospitals or other care settings while generating accessible knowledge could be included.

European Partnership on Personalised Medicine

Closed

Code: 26860 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-CARE-08-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The partnership should facilitate exchange of information and good practices among countries, provide robust guidance and tools, will network institutional stakeholders and involve regional ecosystems. It should stimulate service, policy and organisational innovations, as well as the integration of biomedical and technological innovations for the benefit of the European citizens and the European industry. The partnership should bring together a broad range of actors with a common vision of future personalised medicine. Through the objectives of Horizon Europe, the partnership should contribute to achieving the following European Commission priorities:

• Promoting our European way of life
• An economy that works for people
• A Europe fit for the digital age
• A European green deal

Pandemic preparedness and response: Broad spectrum anti-viral therapeutics for infectious diseases with epidemic potential

Closed

Code: 26858 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Proposals under this topic should cover viruses for which there are no currently available effective therapeutics or for which the therapeutics available are sub-optimal, and are expected to incorporate state-of-the-art screening technology and innovative approaches to identify new targets for antiviral compound development. Emphasis should be put on the research and development of broad-spectrum antivirals, which may include repurposing of previously approved or in-pipeline drugs. Proposals could also include elucidation of mode-of-action for candidate anti-viral therapeutics.
Proposals should aim to diversify and accelerate the global therapeutic research and development pipeline for emerging and re-emerging viral infections, and to strengthen the current leading role of the EU in therapeutic research and development.

Pandemic preparedness and response: Immunogenicity of viral proteins of viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential

Closed

Code: 26856 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03-18 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Proposals under this topic should identify targets for optimal vaccine design for those pathogens where information on host-pathogen interaction and viral surface structures is already available. It is necessary to determine the extent of genetic variation with a view to develop vaccines with variant efficacy. In addition, it is necessary to develop animal and alternative models for the testing of vaccine candidates and for the kinetics, strength, breadth and persistence of the immune response. Proposals should focus on the following viruses: Hendra and Nipah Virus, Lassa virus, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Ebola and Marburg virus, Dengue virus, Yellow Fever virus, Zika virus, West Nile fever virus and Chikungunya virus.

Planetary health: understanding the links between environmental degradation and health impacts

Closed

Code: 26854 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Planetary health is a concept focused on the interdependencies between human health and the state of earth’s complex natural systems. A key focus is on understanding how the current trend of human-related environmental degradation can affect the health and well-being of current and future generations.
Applicants under this topic are invited to submit proposals providing actionable evidence for policymakers to take preventive actions to protect the human health and wellbeing by exploring the links between human health and environmental degradation in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

Expanding the European Electronic Health Record exchange Format to improve interoperability within the European Health Data Space

Closed

Code: 26852 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-IND-06-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Electronic Health Record (EHR) interoperability has yet to become a reality in a number of use cases and health information domains. It is a complex, multi-dimensional challenge. EHRs across the Member States are diverse; so are languages, cultures, and practices in the health sector. Different technical specifications, technologies and clinical terminologies are used, involving a range of stakeholders, within and across care settings.

The Silver Deal – Person-centred health and care in European regions

Closed

Code: 26847 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-STAYHLTH-01-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

This topic aims to implement strategies and actions in line with the Green Paper on Ageing, the EU Long-term care report, the ‘Healthier Together’ – EU Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative, the new EU Care Strategy, which strive to address demographic change and enable better health and care for Europe’s growing ageing societies, as well as to harness the potential of the Silver Economy. NCD prevention is highly relevant to reduce the need for long-term care. New tools and integrated care models are needed, reinforcing primary, community- and home-based health and long-term care provision, through better early detection and management of diseases among older people in an increasingly ageing society and overburdened health and care systems.

Mapping the hurdles for the clinical applications of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)

Closed

Code: 26845 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-IND-06-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

New pioneering treatments called Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), including cell and gene therapies, have the potential to bring new cures to patients affected by diseases with limited or no available treatments. However, several hurdles impede or slow down the access of ATMPs to patients in the EU and Associated Countries. These include e.g. regulatory challenges, underlying scientific uncertainties, differences in assessing the values of ATMPs by the various Health Technology Agencies (HTA), difficulties to perform randomised-controlled clinical trials or to obtain long-term safety and effectiveness data, the lack of harmonised approaches to the reimbursement of the high upfront costs by health systems, manufacturing processes, etc.

Integrated, multi-scale computational models of patient patho-physiology (‘virtual twins’) for personalised disease management

Closed

Code: 26842 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

This topic will contribute to the consolidation of existing virtual twin models and support research to move towards a more integrated human virtual twin, with the aim to accelerate translational research towards cost-effective development of new health technologies. Furthermore, ‘virtual twin’ patient models hold the potential of transforming clinical processes and healthcare with longitudinal monitoring, making personalised medicine, disease prevention and individualised patient management a reality.

Supporting the uptake of innovative Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methodology and advancing HTA expertise across EU

Closed

Code: 26839 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-IND-06-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

HTA bodies have the responsibility to assess the added value of new health technologies and advise on its reimbursement and use within a healthcare system. Due to the rapid pace at which technology advance and in order to support decision making in an appropriate manner, HTA experts have to adapt/revise regularly their methodology. Whilst EU-funded projects in the field of HTA have addressed some of the research needs of the HTA bodies (e.g. methods of analysis, use of real-world data, use of patient reported outcomes), translation of their results/recommendations into HTA work remains limited.
Τhis action could represent an excellent opportunity for both those generating and those using the evidence to come together and discuss the key HTA methodological issues.
Τhe Coordination Group on HTA will have to adopt methodological guidelines for joint HTA work (e.g. joint clinical assessments, joint scientific consultation).

Relationship between infections and non-communicable diseases

Closed

Code: 26836 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

Proposals under this topic are expected to elucidate and provide a better understanding of causative links between infections and non-communicable diseases onsets, and/or the impact of infections on the exacerbation of existing NCDs or vice versa, in children and/or adults. The analysis of genetics, immune status, immune or inflammatory responses, microbiome, lifestyle and/or other relevant factors (e.g. differences in age, sex/gender, vaccination status, ethnicity) should be integrated to get information for prevention, early diagnosis, risk factors, and to better understand causative links as well as the progression of those non-communicable diseases.

Global coordination of exposome research

Closed

Code: 26834 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/01/2023 | End submission calls: 13/04/2023

The concept of the exposome refers to the totality of environmental exposures from conception onwards, including its external (e.g. diet, lifestyle, occupational and environmental factors) and internal components (e.g. epigenomics, metabolomics).Developing a comprehensive Human Exposome Project would present a fundamental shift in looking at health, by moving research away from ‘one exposure, one disease’ understanding to a more complex picture upon which to build solid, cost-effective preventive actions and policies.
The network of projects aims to study the combination of exposures to pollutants and other stressors, across different life stages and socio-economic conditions, via a number of exposure vehicles such as consumption patterns, lifestyle and working and living environment, and their collective effect on human health.