The aim of this call is to increase scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge on emerging and re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential as well as on the host responses triggered by infection in order to improve our capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to infectious health threats through a multinational, collaborative and interdisciplinary approach that bridges research and development. The scope of the call is primarily addressing Priority 1 of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) (Accelerate knowledge in a coordinated and integrative manner), focusing on the proposed Action 1.1 (Increase knowledge on understanding, identifying and addressing therapeutic targets on pathogens) and Action 1.2 (Increase knowledge on pathophysiology).
Proposals should focus exclusively one or multiple viruses belonging in the following families. Proposals addressing global approaches towards a whole family of these pathogens are also feasible:
i. Arenaviridae
ii. Coronaviridae
iii. Filoviridae
iv. Flaviviridae
v. Hantaviridae
vi. Nairoviridae
vii. Orthomyxoviridae
viii. Paramyxoviridae
ix. Phenuiviridae
x. Poxviridae
xi. Togaviridae
xii. “Pathogen X”
Beyond the listed research aspects, proposals must demonstrate the following aspects:
a) Proposals must be hypothesis-driven and should have a strong emphasis on reliable and rigorous methodology;
b) The composition of the consortium must be interdisciplinary, i.e. it is expected that consortia must include partners with expertise from different, relevant disciplines (e.g. basic/pre-clinical research, clinical research, computing science/bioinformatics, veterinary science, Public Health, social and environmental science) to create a broad, thematically diverse research approach in terms of pandemic prevention and response and pathogen spectra. Added value from working together (transnational and interdisciplinary) on the proposed research question(s) must be demonstrated;
c) Proposals must take into account sex and gender dimensions, and/or diversity aspects in their research plan/activities.
Furthermore, the following aspects for proposal submissions are explicitly encouraged:
d) Research questions related to specific populations or vulnerable groups;
e) The inclusion of highly innovative methodologies or state of the art technologies in order to advance the development of health innovations;
f) Collaboration with the private sector/private entities is encouraged;
g) The use of existing cohorts and data sets.
Excluded are the following topics/aspects:
i. Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens (resistant to antibiotics and antifungal agents). AMR pandemic will be addressed in detail in other networks/organisations such as the European partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (EUP OHAMR);
ii. Research addressing SRIA priority actions 1.3 (Increase knowledge on environmental and social aspects driving pathogen emergence) and 1.4 (Increase knowledge on transmission dynamics and epidemiology);
iii. Clinical studies.
Only international projects will be financed. The consortium must involve a minimum of three consortium partners, from at least three different eligible countries (including at least two EU Member States or associated countries), whose funding organizations participate in the call. The consortium may not have more than six consortium partners. If the consortium includes a research group from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Moldova or a company, the maximum number of project partners can be increased to seven. Researchers from non-funding countries can also take part in projects, if they provide their own funding sources and demonstrate their additional contribution to the consortium, not exceeding the number of research groups mentioned above.
A two-stage international evaluation will be made for the call by the BE READY NOW Joint Call Secretariat. Candidates who are successful as a result of the international external reviewer evaluation from the pre-proposal proposals received in the first stage will be invited for full proposals in the second stage. Applications for preliminary proposals has been opened on 19 January 2026 and the deadline is 13 April 2026 (13:00:00 CET). Preliminary proposals and full proposals can be prepared jointly by partners, but applications should only be submitted by coordinators using the international BE READY NOW electronic application system. Additionally, researchers applying from Türkiye must submit a national application. Applicants can submit and must sign electroncally their applications by selecting "BE READY NOW JTC2026 1. Aşama" from the "Çoklu İşbirliği Destek Programları (1.Aşama)" section at https://uidb-pbs.tubitak.gov.tr/ until 20 April 2026 (23:59 Türkiye time zone).
In the JTC 2026 call, researchers working in Türkiye will be supported within the scope of TÜBİTAK 1071 Support Programme for Increasing Capacity to Benefit from International Research Funds and Participation in International R&D Cooperation.
Before applying, national application rules must be read in detail. If the application rules are not followed, the application may be returned without being evaluated.
Detailed information about the call and international application can be found on the page https://beready4pandemics.eu/joint-transnational-calls/.
An information webinar introducing the JTC to the research community will be organized on 28 January 2026, 11:00 AM (CET).
Link to join the webinar: https://dlr-projekttraeger.webex.com/dlr-projekttraeger/j.php?MTID=mec7077e69a1ca835ecd1ff10e0222ea3
Webinar number: 2742 754 5401
Webinar password: 2026JTC1
Contact Persons:
For information about International Application Rules and BE READY NOW:
Dr. Recep Emrah ÇEVİK
TÜBİTAK, Sağlık Bilimleri Araştırma Destek Grubu (SBAG)
E-mail: emrah.cevik@tubitak.gov.tr
For information about National Application Requirements:
Damla PEHLİVAN
TÜBİTAK, Uluslararası İşbirliği Projeleri Araştırma Destek Grubu (UPAG)
E-mail: damla.pehlivan@tubitak.gov.tr