As well as the €16.5 million, a further €1.3 million was granted to Ireland under the Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (Global Health EDCTP3) in 2024.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key research and innovation funding programme, with a budget of €95.5 billion. The Health Cluster and Global Health EDCTP3 funding calls are part of Horizon Europe’s Pillar II and fund large collaborative projects tackling health challenges in Europe, as well as global health research.

Commenting on Ireland’s successes, the HRB’s National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe, Dr Irene Castellano said:

“Horizon Europe offers outstanding opportunities for health researchers in Ireland. The successful projects highlight the exceptional quality of Irish health research and the strong commitment to build international collaborations, expand knowledge, and deliver meaningful impact.

As the Health Research Board’s National Contact Point, I provide personalised support and guidance to applicants in Ireland at different stages of their Horizon Europe journey, and I am proud to see the success of the researchers that I have worked closely with.”

19 projects involving 32 engagements by Irish institutions were funded under the Health Cluster 2024 Work Programme. These include the micro2MACRO project on joint tissue regeneration using bio-printing technologies; CARAMEL, which seeks to transform cardiovascular disease prevention for women aged 40 – 60 years; and Equicares, a project to improve access to sustainable mental health and care services for vulnerable populations.

Ireland-based researchers also performed strongly in the Global Health EDCTP3 partnership calls, coordinating and leading two successful projects. The MpoxVax AFRIVAC project will expand a trial currently running in Ireland to countries in Africa affected by the virus, and the LINDA-FAMILIA project uses smart digital tools to fight infectious diseases and help protect mothers and children in East Africa.

Notes:

For a full list of Ireland’s successful Horizon Europe Health Cluster and Global Health EDCTP3 projects from the 2024 Work Programmes see here.

New opportunities are now available for researchers. The Horizon Europe Health Cluster Work Programme 2026 – 2027 is now published. You can read it here.  

The Global Health EDCTP3 Work Programme 2026 has now been published. You can read it here.

For expert guidance from the HRB on Horizon Europe proposals, finding project partners in Ireland and Europe, and navigating the application process, please contact NCP Dr Irene Castellano at icastellano@hrb.ie.