The European Commission is boosting urgently needed research into coronavirus with €10 million from its research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.
It has launched an emergency request for expressions of interest for research projects that will advance our understanding of the novel coronavirus epidemic, contribute to more efficient clinical management of patients infected with the virus, as well as public health preparedness and response.
“We are working to mitigate the consequences of a potential larger spread of the Coronavirus outbreak in the EU. Thanks to emergency research funding from Horizon 2020, we will know more about the disease. I am proud that following the progress made during the last years, our supercomputer centres stand ready to help researchers in their work to develop new treatment and vaccines. We will be able to protect the public better, and to deal more effectively with the current and any future outbreaks,” said Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.
The Commission has launched this action as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The disease continues to spread in China and beyond, with the first cases reported in Europe. The Commission is working closely with the WHO and other international actors to ensure a rapid, efficient and coordinated European and global response to the outbreak.
The funding is expected to support two to four research projects. The Commission is using all means at its disposal in order to enable research work to start as soon as possible.
Original source: European Commission
Published on 31 January 2020
