What is the Health Programme?
The Health Programme is a funding instrument to support cooperation among EU countries and underpin and develop EU health activities. The legal basis for the Health Programme is agreed with the European Parliament and the Council for a period of several years.
Third Health Programme (2014-2020)
Regulation (EU) 282/2014 is the legal basis for the current Health Programme. With a budget of €449.4 million and throughout 23 priority areas, the Health Programme serves four specific objectives:
- Promote health, prevent disease and foster healthy lifestyles through ‘health in all policies’,
- Protect EU citizens from serious cross-border health threats
- Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems
- Facilitate access to high quality, safe healthcare for EU citizens.
Previous Health Programmes
The two previous health programmes from 2008-2013, and 2003-2007 generated knowledge and evidence that served as a basis for informed policymaking and further research.This included best practice, tools, and methodologies that secured benefits for both the public-health communities and citizens directly (e.g improving diagnostic tests, supporting EU countries in developing national actions plans on cancer, improving patient care).
How does it work?
The Programme is implemented by means of annual work programmes agreed with countries on a number of annually defined priority actions and the criteria for funding actions under the programme. On this basis, the Consumers Health Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) organises calls for proposals for projects and operating grants, as well as calls for joint action and tenders. Direct grants are signed with international organisations active in the area of health.
Proposals are evaluated by the Chafea, assisted by external experts. External experts are selected through calls for expression of interest.
For more information please see here.
Who can participate?
All EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Moldova and Bosnia & Herzegovina participate, meaning that entities registered there are also eligible to participate in the calls for proposals.
Organisations from other countries are also encouraged to get involved, however funding can not be awarded to them. Participation is open to a wide range of organisations, including:
- Public authorities
- Public sector bodies, in particular research and health institutions
- Universities and higher education establishments
- NGOs.
Funding mechanisms
There are two main funding mechanisms: grants and tenders. Grants for projects, operating grants, direct grants with international organisations and grants to EU authorities and bodies for co-financed actions (called joint actions).
The type of funding available for each action is set out each year in the work plan. Unless indicated otherwise (e.g. tenders), the basic principle is joint funding, with Commission grants covering a certain percentage of overall costs.
Application process
All the information on how to participate in the health programme, together with application forms, is available on the Chafea website.
You can get additional help and advice from your National Focal Point.
