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Tackling high-burden for patients and under-researched medical conditions
Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed, tailored towards and contributing to most of the following expected outcomes:
- The scientific and clinical communities make effective use of state-of-the-art information, data, technologies, tools and best practices to better understand the condition, underpinning the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and/or preventive strategies.
- The scientific and clinical community exchange data, knowledge and best practices, thereby strengthening their collaboration and building knowledge and care networks in Europe and beyond.
- The scientific and clinical community make wide use of newly established and where relevant open access databases and/or integrate them with existing infrastructures for storage and sharing of collected data according to FAIR[1] principles, thereby encouraging further use of the data.
- Policymakers and funders are informed of the research advances made and consider further support in light of the sustainability of the studies.
- Patients and caregivers are constructively engaged with the research, which also caters for their needs.
- Health professionals have access to and use improved clinical guidelines on diagnosis and/or treatment of the condition.
Scope:
A number of medical conditions fail to be recognised and/or be correctly diagnosed in a significant proportion of patients. As a consequence, they are inadequately treated and often can become a chronic and high burden for the patient. These medical conditions[2], including:
- myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome,
- autism,
- gynaecological diseases,
- low back pain,
- other[3],
may be insufficiently researched even though they manifest with high prevalence.
Applicants should explicitly state in their proposal which of the above medical conditions is targeted and the proposed work should address only this specific medical condition. Please note that the following medical conditions are not in the scope of this topic: rare diseases, including rare cancers, and under-research medical conditions already addressed by projects funded under topic HORIZON-HLTH-2024-DISEASE-03-14-two-stage[4].
Research actions under this topic should include all the following activities, ensuring multidisciplinary approaches and a broad representation of stakeholders in the consortia:
- Proposals should address the gaps in robust, scientific evidence for improved policies and practices to tackle such a medical condition and aim at identifying the pathophysiological mechanism(s) (e.g. genetic, cellular and molecular) and potential risk factors (e.g. psychological and environmental) of the medical condition through basic, pre-clinical and/or clinical research. These efforts should underpin the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and/or preventive strategies for the condition.
- Proposals should demonstrate that the medical condition under study is insufficiently understood, inaccurately diagnosed or inadequately treated in a significant proportion of patients, and as such represent a high burden for patients and society. This could be through referencing key literature.
- Sex and gender-related aspects, age, ethnicity, socio-economic, lifestyle and behavioural factors should be taken into consideration. In addition, the emotional and societal long-term effects of these chronic disorders for the affected individuals should be addressed.
- Where applicable, the development of biomarkers and other technologies for diagnosis, monitoring in patients, and stratification of patient groups should be considered.
- Where applicable, the development of clinically relevant, (non-)human model systems that can complement clinical investigations should be considered.
- Exploitation of existing data, biobanks, registries and cohorts is expected, together with the generation of new (e.g. genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) data.
- To enable sharing of samples, quality data and advanced analytical tools, it is encouraged to make use of existing infrastructures developed at the European[5] or national level.
- Inclusion of patients or patient organisations in the research is strongly encouraged, to ensure that their views are considered.
- Participation of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged.
This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.
Applicants should provide details of their clinical studies[6] in the dedicated annex using the template provided in the submission system. As proposals under this topic are expected to include clinical studies, the use of the template is strongly encouraged.
AI Based Application Success Predictor
🧪 1. Scientific Excellence Is Paramount
For ERC grants, excellence is the sole selection criterion—evaluations focus exclusively on the quality of the research and track record .
Peer-reviewers adhere strictly to predefined criteria (e.g., Horizon ITN evaluations), and weaknesses—rather than strengths—often decide the outcome.
🌍 2. Strategic Alignment with EU Priorities
Horizon Europe emphasizes Green & Digital Transitions and resilience, with specific budget steering across biodiversity, climate, digital, and societal missions.
Proposals that clearly align with these strategic orientations and EU missions are significantly more competitive.
🤝 3. Strong, Diverse European Consortia
Horizon projects demand well-balanced consortia across Europe—geographically and disciplinarily diverse, including academia, industry, SMEs, NGOs .
Effective leadership, communication, trust, and active collaboration are key success factors .
🧴 4. Proven Research Infrastructure & Track Record
A strong publication record—especially in high-impact venues—and prior grant awards bolster chances .
ERC starting, consolidator, or advanced grants require exceptional citation records, strong proposals, and investigator track records .
📈 5. Robust Project Management
For large collaborative grants, project coordination, administration, and communication are just as crucial as scientific content .
Demonstrating realistic budget planning (100% direct costs + 25% indirect costs), administrative frameworks, and governance structures strengthens proposals.
💼 6. Fostering Mobility & Career Growth
Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships emphasize researcher mobility, interdisciplinary training, and developing future talent .
🧷 7. Geographical & Gender Equity
Northern and certain Eastern European institutions currently have higher success rates (≈22% vs below 18% in Southern Europe) .
ERC gender data: male and female applicants have similar success rates, though male applicants apply more frequently .
📌 Key Takeaways
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Excellence-first | Superior science and investigator record are non-negotiable. |
| Strategic fit | Alignment with EU green, digital, and mission goals is essential. |
| Consortium quality | Geographic, sectoral, and expertise balance enhances impact. |
| Management capacity | Good PM builds confidence in successful delivery. |
| Experience track record | Publications, previous funding, and citations build credibility. |
| Mobility & careers | MSCA focuses on researcher development and interdisciplinary collaboration. |
🧭 Applicant Tips
Master criteria & avoid weaknesses: Make sure your proposal addresses common reviewer pitfalls—methodology, innovation, budget clarity.
Map to EU priorities: Explicitly connect your objectives to Horizon Europe’s strategic plan (2025–2027).
Build strong consortia early: Prioritize complementary expertise, geography, gender balance, and partner roles.
Show robust project management: Include a Work Package structure, governance plans, and clear communication strategies.
Leverage your track record: Highlight high-impact papers, leadership in projects, and previous awards.
Consider MSCA opportunities: Use them for mobility grants or integrating training into your project.
✅ In Summary
To maximize success with European Commission grants—especially ERC or Horizon Europe—focus relentlessly on scientific excellence, strategic EU alignment, consortium strength, and solid project planning. Combine these with a strong publication record and researcher development elements, and aim to close off any potential reviewer concerns.
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions, Proposal page limit and layout
Admissibility Conditions are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries
Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
In recognition of the opening of the US National Institutes of Health’s programmes to European researchers, any legal entity established in the United States of America is eligible to receive Union funding.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
Other Eligible Conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
In order to ensure a balanced project portfolio with regard to the medical condition targeted[[Medical condition i to v, as given in the scope of this topic.]], grants will be awarded (within available budget) to proposals not only in order of ranking but also in function of the highest ranked proposals in different medical conditions, provided that the applications attain all thresholds available.
Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
The thresholds for each criterion will be 4 (Excellence), 4 (Impact) and 4 (Implementation). The cumulative threshold will be 12.
Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: European Commission
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium
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Grant
Final Deadline:
Sep 16, 2025
Funding Amount:
$6,000,000
Host Details
Affiliation: European Commission
Address: Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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