Commission launches “BE READY” European Partnership to strengthen pandemic preparedness research ecosystem

Today, the European Commission launched BE READY,a new European Partnership for pandemic preparedness. Through BE READY, the European Union will strengthen its capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond rapidly to epidemics and pandemics. BE READY focuses on advancing research on emerging and re-emerging pathogens and accelerating the development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said:

"Europe's pandemic preparedness must be built on sound scientific foundations. That is why we are making €120 million from the Horizon Europe budget available for the BE READY partnership. Through BE READY, we are putting our citizens' health first while reinforcing Europe's innovation leadership."

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said:

"BE READY is Europe's next bold step forward, turning research into real resilience. It puts research at the heart of preparedness, so people can get medicines, vaccines and vital tools faster when a crisis hits. We are bringing science, research and innovation together, working across borders and institutions to build a stronger Europe, ready to anticipate health threats and respond quickly when lives are at stake.".

Key pillars of the BE READY Partnership

The BE READY Partnership's work is built on the following key pillars:

• aligning national research priorities among participating countries and improving coordination in pandemic preparedness research through an agreed strategic and research innovation agenda
• supporting multi-national research through joint transnational calls, enabling coordinated funding among national and European funders to advance research on emerging & re-emerging pathogens, and accelerating innovation in diagnostics, treatments & vaccines development
• integrating all key components of the research ecosystem, so that they are operational both in periods between epidemics and during crises

Background

The BE READY Partnershipis coordinated by the French ANRS-MIEand brings together 81 organisations from 27 countries. It was prepared through 2 consecutive coordination and support actions (CSA) between 2022-2025, for a total budget of €3M.

The BE READY Partnership marks years-long European investment in pandemic preparedness and response research through the European research and innovation framework programme. Since 2020, over €1.8 Bn has been invested in pandemic preparedness research funded through the European research and innovation framework programme.

More information

European Partnerships in health

Health research and innovation

Press contact:

EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation