Improving modes of delivery, deployment, and uptake of vaccines through phase IV/implementation research

Call updates

Dec 20, 2023 3:21:27 PM

EVALUATION RESULTS STAGE 1
Published: 14/04/23
Deadline: 28/09/23
Available budget: 56.000.000EUR

In accordance with the call conditions, the evaluation of the first-stage proposals was made looking only at the criteria 'Excellence' and 'Impact'. The threshold for both criteria was 4. The overall threshold (applying to the sum of the two individual scores) was set for each topic/type of action with separate call-budget-split at a level that allowed the total requested budget of proposals admitted to stage 2 be as close as possible to 3 times the available budget (and not below 2.5 times the budget):
HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-01-two-stage: 8 points
The results of the evaluation are as follows :
Number of proposals submitted (including proposals transferred from or to other calls): 79
Number of ineligible proposals: 5
Number of above-threshold proposals: 37
Total budget requested for above-threshold proposals: 180.986.064
We recently informed the applicants about the evaluation results for their proposals.
For questions, please contact EC-GLOBAL-HEALTH-EDCTP3@ec.europa.eu

 Oct 3, 2023 3:41:00 PM

Call HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-two-stage has closed on September 28th, 2023.
79 proposals have been submitted.
The breakdown per topic is:
HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-01-two-stage: 28 proposals
Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in January 2024

Jun 27, 2023 12:00:01 AM

The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-01-two-stage(HORIZON-JU-RIA)

Jun 13, 2023 10:39:14 AM

The 2nd stage deadline has been postponed to 03/04/2024

Improving modes of delivery, deployment, and uptake of vaccines through phase IV/implementation research

TOPIC ID: HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-01-two-stage

Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
Call: Research and Innovation actions supporting the global health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-02-two-stage)
Type of action: HORIZON-JU-RIA HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions
Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]
Deadline model: two-stage
Planned opening date: 27 June 2023
Deadline dates: 28 September 2023 17:00:00 Brussels time
28 March 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time

ExpectedOutcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that contribute to one or several of the expected impacts for this call. To that end, proposals submitted under this topic should aim for delivering results that are directed, tailored towards, and contributing to all the following expected outcomes:

Public health authorities and health care professionals in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have access to novel logistical and clinical solutions for vaccine delivery and have a better understanding of the behavioural barriers driving vaccine hesitancy, resulting in improved rates of vaccine deployment and uptake, particularly in poor and vulnerable communities.
People in SSA have improved access, coverage, and trust in vaccines against all preventable infectious diseases within the scope of the Global Health EDCTP3[1]. Better tools as well as data on immunisation levels and the individual and public health benefit of immunization will drive vaccination even in hard-to-reach regions, thus helping to contribute towards the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030[2].
Health professionals and especially clinicians as well as policy makers have access to comprehensive phase IV/implementation research results, making use of them to ensure widespread translation and adoption of research findings into national and international policy guidelines for better delivery, deployment, and uptake of vaccines in clinical practice in SSA.

[1]Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking: ec_rtd_edctp3-sria-2022.pdf (europa.eu)

[2]Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy To Leave No One Behind (who.int)

Scope:
Despite offering strong protection against infectious diseases, global vaccination rates have been declining for a few years resulting in the re-emergence of preventable infectious diseases that were thought to be on the verge of elimination. This trend further worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic because of severe interruptions in public health services, restrictions of non-urgent medical care and diversion of limited health care resources, resulting in cancellation or delays of routine vaccinations. Underserved communities in SSA have been most affected, leaving them less protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Under immunised individuals and zero-dose-children (not having received any vaccine) are also found in other communities. Furthermore, there has been a significant erosion of trust in governments and public health institutions that coordinate and conduct such immunisation efforts. Novel logistical and clinical solutions for vaccine delivery and a better understanding of the behavioural barriers driving vaccine hesitancy in SSA as well as better data to document beneficial vaccine effects on individual and public health are therefore of critical importance. Furthermore, there remain open questions on the use of vaccines, also in view of changing environments.

Accordingly, the proposed research is expected to deliver on the following:

Carry out phase IV/implementation research studies on the deployment and uptake of registered vaccines[1] in SSA, examining operational aspects, access, coverage, vaccine acceptability/hesitancy, community engagement, real-life impact on overall health and cost-effectiveness;
Develop and test novel logistical solutions for vaccination;
As relevant, develop and test novel clinical solutions for vaccine delivery, including new delivery modes;
Gain a better understanding of different health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa as regards the factors driving structural inequalities in vaccine deliveries;
Identify the social, economic, political, religious, cultural, and personal factors driving vaccine hesitancy in SSA and develop targeted solutions, as appropriate. Vaccine hesitancy should be considered in the context of the specificities of different types of vaccines and their perceived risks and benefits. It is further essential to investigate the factors that are undermining coverage in different countries, regions, or communities both in terms of vaccine types and doses received. In many cases, this means targeted collaborations with local leaders who can effectively address their communities’ concerns and with caregivers who bring children to vaccination services. Applicants are also encouraged to develop evidence-based tools that can guide people towards informed vaccination decisions, delivering tailored information based on each user’s concerns;
Applicants need to concisely describe any prior research findings and explain how the proposal builds on these results. Building on relevant results from projects supported under previous EDCTP programmes is encouraged.

The implementation research to be conducted must involve vulnerable groups, including participants from poorer, underserved, or hard-to-reach communities in SSA. The full range of relevant determining characteristics (sex, gender, age, socio-economic status, etc.) needs to be considered. Applicants are also encouraged to provide methodologies for translating research findings into public health practice and policy guidelines. They are welcome to draw on any relevant lessons from the COVID-19 vaccination strategies.

Proposals are expected to come from research consortia with a strong representation of institutions and researchers from African countries, including involvement of franco/lusophone countries where possible and relevant.

The proposals should involve all stakeholders, most notably policy makers, public health authorities, health care professionals and end-users. The applicants must ensure strong community engagement. International cooperation is encouraged, and the proposed research is expected to be multidisciplinary through the involvement of medical sciences, psychological sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

All projects funded under this topic are strongly encouraged to participate in networking and joint activities, as appropriate. These networking and joint activities could, for example, involve the participation in joint workshops, the exchange of knowledge, the development and adoption of best practices, or joint communication activities. Therefore, proposals are expected to include a budget for the attendance to regular joint meetings and may consider covering the costs of any other potential joint activities without the prerequisite to detail concrete joint activities at this stage. The details of these joint activities will be defined during the grant agreement preparation phase. In this regard, the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking may take on the role of facilitator for networking and exchanges, including with relevant stakeholders, if appropriate.

[1]It is recognized that the vaccines may not have a marketing authorization in the country or all the countries where the study is being carried out. Registered vaccines need to meet WHO-recommended standards of quality, safety and immunogenicity: Health products policy and standards (who.int)

Expected Impact:
Expected impacts of the calls under the 2023 work programme of the Global Health EDCTP3 JU

Activities funded under the 2023 calls for proposals should contribute to:

Achieve SDG3 ‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’ in sub-Saharan African countries;
Enable the implementation of the short and medium term actions foreseen by the AU EU Innovation Agenda[1] (expected to be adopted in June 2023) in the area of Public Health
Provide evidence for informed health policies and guidelines within public health systems in sub-Saharan Africa and at international level;
Strengthen clinical research capability in sub-Saharan Africa to rapidly respond to emerging epidemics;
Enable a regulatory environment that can ensure effective development, delivery, and uptake of new or improved safe health technologies guaranteeing that trials in sub-Saharan African countries meet international standards;
Increase cost effectiveness of public investment through collaboration of funders of clinical trials in the area of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa;
Strengthen health systems to ensure uptake of effective health technologies and innovations;
Enhance sustainable global scientific collaboration in health research and international cooperation across sub-Saharan Africa.
Improve opportunities for training of researchers and healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.
[1]Working document of the AU EU Innovation Agenda available online at: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-02/final_au-eu_ia_14_february.pdf