Call for Proposals: Development of New Diagnostic Tests for Vector-Borne Diseases

This action aims to enhance disease detection, reduce misdiagnoses, and improve patient outcomes by broadening the diagnostic toolkit, with a focus on rapid tests. It will advance early detection of VBDs through the development of novel diagnostic tests that identify these diseases at an early stage, enabling timely treatment and control. It also focuses on increasing the accuracy and specificity of existing diagnostic assays to better identify VBD pathogens, thus minimising misdiagnoses.

Activities that can be funded include supporting late-stage development of medical devices, bringing them to (near-) market; improvement of existing products in terms of accessibility, affordability, or accuracy; or, in case of unmet needs, aid the creation of innovative solutions. Supported actions will need to advance beyond the current R&I status and, where applicable, must also take into account ongoing Union projects, such as under Horizon Europe, guaranteeing complementarity.

Updating diagnostic technologies to improve accuracy, speed, and accessibility and the optimisation of diagnostic technologies such as molecular assays and serological tests, should be supported by evidence on novel antigens or genetic sequences, including clinical testing.

Specific action-level indicators include number of patents filed and/or granted relating to the activities under the grant; performance metrics of the developed diagnostic tests, such as analytical and clinical sensitivity and specificity, and time to result, benchmarked against established gold-standard methods; number of pathogens against which the developed tests were validated and/or received regulatory approval; number of prototypes or tests manufactured; number of new diagnostic tests / molecular assays validated; number of new diagnostic tests that contribute to the earlier detection of vector borne diseases; and number of improved existing products in terms of accessibility, affordability and/or accuracy.

This action is expected to improve diagnostic capabilities that will lead to earlier detection of VBDs, enabling prompt treatment initiation and reducing disease transmission, develop new diagnostic tests to stimulate research and innovation in the field of VBDs, and support global health initiatives focused on attaining goals for international health security.

The call has a dedicated budget of EUR 10 million, with individual project grants expected to range between EUR 3.3 million and EUR 5 million. Projects should have a duration of 36 to 48 months. Eligible applicants include secondary or higher education establishments, research organisations, hospitals and other healthcare institutions, NGOs, developers and other private entities or public bodies with expertise in diagnostics development. Proposals that exceed evaluation thresholds may also receive the STEP Seal, enhancing their visibility and opportunities for additional investment.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 4 December 2025 (17:00 CET). Evaluation will take place between January and February 2026, with results expected in March–April 2026, and grant agreements signed in August 2026.

For more information, visit EC.