Apply for EU Funding: Up to €2.25 Million for Digital Innovation and AI Health Research in Africa @Unknown

Organizations working at the intersection of digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and public health now have the opportunity to secure significant funding through a new European Union call under Horizon Europe. The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking has launched a funding opportunity focused on advancing digital transformation in health research across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The call invites international research consortia to develop projects that apply digital technologies, data systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen clinical research capacity, improve healthcare delivery, and support innovative health solutions across the region.

By supporting collaborative projects between African and European institutions, the initiative aims to help build sustainable digital health ecosystems that can address major public health challenges while accelerating scientific innovation.

Organizations with expertise in health research, digital technology, data systems, and public health partnerships are encouraged to submit proposals.

About the Funding Opportunity

This funding call is part of the Global Health EDCTP3 program, an initiative designed to strengthen global health research partnerships between Europe and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The program focuses on advancing medical research, improving health systems, and promoting collaboration between international institutions to address pressing health challenges.

Through this specific call, the European Union aims to support projects that explore how digital innovation and AI-driven technologies can enhance research systems and healthcare delivery in African contexts.

Digital transformation is becoming an increasingly important tool in global health. From data platforms that track disease trends to artificial intelligence models that support clinical decision-making, digital tools can help researchers and healthcare providers respond more quickly and effectively to emerging health challenges.

By funding projects that combine technology, research capacity building, and international collaboration, the program aims to create scalable solutions that can strengthen health systems across multiple countries.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in improving healthcare systems worldwide. From data analytics and artificial intelligence to mobile health platforms and digital research infrastructure, these tools can significantly enhance how health services are delivered and how research is conducted.

However, many health systems still face barriers to implementing digital innovation at scale, including limited infrastructure, funding constraints, and gaps in technical expertise.

This funding call aims to address those challenges by supporting collaborative research projects that combine digital innovation, international expertise, and capacity building.

By investing in digital health research partnerships between Africa and Europe, the initiative seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that improve health outcomes while strengthening scientific collaboration across regions.

Funding and Project Scope

Selected projects can receive up to €2.25 million in funding, making this one of the more significant digital health research opportunities currently available through the Horizon Europe framework.

Key funding details include:

• Maximum funding per project: Up to €2.25 million
• Total budget available: €18 million
• Estimated number of projects funded: Approximately 8
• Funding mechanism: Horizon Europe grant under a Coordination and Support Action

The funding is designed to support collaborative research initiatives that promote innovation while strengthening research infrastructure and partnerships.

Projects should not only develop new digital solutions but also demonstrate how these tools can be applied effectively in real healthcare systems.

Priority Areas for Proposals

The funding call invites projects that focus on one or more of the following areas:

1. Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Projects may explore how AI-driven technologies can support diagnostics, treatment decision-making, health data analysis, or healthcare management systems.

2. Digital Tools for Clinical Research and Health Services
Proposals can focus on integrating digital tools and data platforms into clinical research systems or health service delivery.

3. Research Capacity Strengthening
Another priority is building stronger research infrastructure and expertise in digital health and data science across Sub-Saharan Africa.

4. Cross-Border Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Projects are encouraged to promote partnerships between institutions across different countries to strengthen research networks.

5. Scaling Digital Health Solutions
The program also supports initiatives that can expand or scale proven digital health innovations across multiple regions.

By focusing on these areas, the initiative seeks to ensure that digital health innovations can move beyond pilot programs and deliver real benefits to healthcare systems and communities.

Who Can Apply

Applications must be submitted by international consortia made up of multiple partner organizations.

Eligible partners may include:

• Universities and academic research institutions
• Hospitals and clinical research centers
• Public health organizations
• Technology companies and digital innovation organizations
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Each consortium must include at least three independent organizations from different countries, and at least one of these partners must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This structure encourages collaboration between African and European institutions while ensuring that projects are grounded in local expertise and regional health priorities.

Geographic Focus

Projects funded under this call must focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, with partnerships involving organizations from:

• African countries
• European Union Member States
• Countries associated with the Horizon Europe program

By supporting partnerships between institutions across these regions, the program aims to create long-term collaborations that strengthen global health research and digital innovation capacity.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026

Because proposals require the formation of international research consortia, applicants are encouraged to begin identifying potential partners well in advance of the deadline. You learn more about the requirements and apply on the European Commission website.

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