The new partnership, Be Ready, launched by the European Commission in February 2026, is designed to significantly strengthen and expand research activities dedicated to pandemic preparedness across Europe. Under the initiative, a total budget of €120 million from the Horizon Europe programme will be made available to support projects focusing on emerging and re-emerging pathogens, with the goal of accelerating the development of advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments and next-generation vaccines. The partnership is coordinated by the French research authority ANRS-MIE and brings together a broad network of 81 organisations from 27 countries, reflecting a strong commitment to international collaboration.
Beyond funding, Be Ready will work to align national research priorities among participating countries, fostering greater strategic coherence and reducing fragmentation. It will also enhance coordination in pandemic preparedness research through the definition of a shared strategic and research innovation agenda, enabling a more structured and forward-looking approach.
Joint transnational calls will play a key role in supporting multinational research projects, promoting coordinated funding mechanisms among national and European funders. At the same time, all core components of the initiative will be fully integrated into the wider research ecosystem, ensuring that Be Ready remains active and effective not only during health emergencies but also in the periods between epidemics, strengthening long-term resilience.