A significant new funding opportunity has been launched under the Horizon Europe / Global Health ECTP3 pogramme, supporting international research partnerships aimed at accelerating the development of tubercuosis (TB) drugs and chemoprophylaxis for adults and children in sub-Saharan Africa. The call places a strong emphasis on integrated approaches addressing both TB and leprosy, two diseases that continue to pose major public health challenges in co-endemic regions.
TB and leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae respectively, often overlap geographically and share similar challenges related to transmission, diagnosis, and prevention. Recent advances highlight the potential of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in preventing disease progression among individuals at elevated risk. Importantly, several candidate TB drugs have demonstrated activity against M. leprae, creating opportunities for unified and more efficient intervention strategies.
Leprosy Research Initiative announces co-funding for PEP research
As part of this call, the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI) will co-fund project(s) focusing specifically on leprosy-related PEP research, embedded within broader TB PEP studies. The selected project(s) will contribute to advancing knowledge and strategies for PEP in the context of both TB and leprosy, aligning with broader institutional goals in infectious disease control.
Application Deadline
- First-stage proposal deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
- Second-stage full proposal deadline: 17 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
Find more information on the call here.
Additional resources:Tips for a successful project proposal, EDCTP3 Info day recording
