EDCTP—Partnership between Europe and Developing Countries to Conduct Clinical Trials

The Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Joint Undertaking (GH EDCTP3 JU, 2021-2031) is a partnership between the European Union and Africa in global health.

GH EDCTP3 JU is the third EDCTP program and is an institutionalized Article 187 partnership, building on the success of the previous programs—EDCTP 1 and EDCTP 2.

The GH EDCTP3 JU aims to contribute to the development of new or improved health technologies for the identification, treatment, and prevention of neglected and poverty-related infectious diseases, including (re)emerging diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition, GH EDCTP3 JU will fund activities to build research capacity in Africa, supporting researchers' careers and strengthening national health research systems, improving the capacity of sub-Saharan African countries to identify and respond to health challenges related to infectious diseases.

The overall objectives of the EDCTP3 JU are:

1. Reducing the socioeconomic impact of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the development and adoption of new or improved health technologies
2. Enhancing health security in sub-Saharan Africa and globally by strengthening preparedness and response capacity for infectious disease control, based on research and innovation

The GH EDCTP3 JU has a total estimated budget of €1.6 billion. Financial contributions come from the European Union (€800 million), European and African members of the EDCTP (€43 million), and contributing partners such as philanthropic organizations and industry (€4 million). Portugal was a founding member of the EDCTP and is also a member of the new GH EDCTP3 JU program, represented by the FCT and the AICIB.

The priority areas of the GH EDCTP3 JU are described in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.

Funding opportunities

The GH EDCTP3 JU funding opportunities include, on an annual basis, the launch of joint Calls for proposals for the funding of clinical research, capacity building, and/or networking in the priority areas of EDCTP3. Projects funded in previous editions can be found on this page.

The Lusophone Platform for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (PLICIB), created by AICIB with the support of FCT and co-financed by EDCTP3, aims to provide effective support to the Portuguese scientific community, together with the scientific community in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and neighboring countries, to increase competitiveness for GH EDCTP3 JU funding opportunities.

Upcoming Events

• EDCTP3 Global Health Infoday on the 2026 Work Program: February 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (Lisbon time). Organized by FCT and AICIB. Free participation, registration required.

Past Events

• 12th EDCTP Forum: June 15–20, 2025
• Global Health EDCTP3 2023 info day – on funding opportunities part 1: March 23, 2023 (video and presentation)
• Global Health EDCTP3 2023 info day – on funding opportunities part 2: April 12, 2023 (video).
• EDCTP3 Info day – national webinar on JU funding opportunities (FCT and AICIB): April 21, 2023
• 11th EDCTP Forum: November 7–10, 2023