As a response to the coronavirus, the EU  has allocated €1 billion through the Horizon 2020 programme to increase research and innovation in healthcare. The Horizon 2020 programme is the EU’s flagship initiative for the financing of projects which aim to place Europe at the forefront of global research and innovation. The Horizon 2020 programme was also utilised in recent years as a means of emergency funding for past outbreaks such a the Zika and Ebola viruses, making it easy to mobilise in this scenario. 

The first call financed 18 research projects, worth  €48.2 million, directed towards diagnostics, treatment, vaccines and improving preparedness for outbreaks. A second call for innovative and rapid health-related approaches to respond to COVID-19 and to deliver quick results for society for a higher level of preparedness of health systems, was made public in May 2020.  

In addition to these calls, €400 million were allocated to the reinforcement of InnovFin Infection Diseases Financial Facility, which provides financing to innovative players active in developing innovative vaccines, drugs, medical and diagnostic devices or novel research infrastructures for combatting infectious diseases. 

For more information on the Horizon 2020 programme or other EU funding programmes, kindly contact MEUSAC on info.meusac@gov.mt or on 2200 3300.