EU funding available for health research

The European Commission has launched a set of calls for funding health research under the EU’s Research Framework Programme. There are several topics under the calls which may be of relevance to NHS organisations and researchers. The calls cover the following areas:

Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health

o        High-throughput research

o        Detection of biomarkers

Translating research for human health

o        Large-scale data gathering and systems biology

o        Research on neurodegenerative diseases and ageing

o        Translational research into infectious diseases (including TB, HIV/AIDs, vectorborne infections)

o        Translational research in other major diseases (including cancer, CVD, rare diseases)

Optimising delivery of healthcare

o        Quality, efficiency and solidarity of healthcare systems

o        International public health and health systems

Novel therapeutics against influenza

The call deadlines range from October 2009 to February 2010 and the projects are expected to commence from mid 2010 onwards.

Relevant websites:

• NHS European Office:

www.nhsconfed.org/europe

• FP7 Health page:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/home_en.html

• FP7 ERA (European Research Area) NET: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/coordination/eranet_en.html

• Partner search mechanism set up by the European Commission:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/partners_en.html

• SMEs Go Health (which has partner search facilities):

http://www.smesgohealth.org/common/Participate.asp

• MRC website:

www.mrc.ac.uk/ApplyingforaGrant/InternationalOpportunites/fp7/index.htm