Introduction

The work programme sets out the priorities and the allocation of resources to implement the thirdProgramme the field of health (2014-2020). The described priorities concern the upcoming call forproposals 2018 for action grants and Joint Actions with Member States.

Priorities

a) Action grants (projects)

Implementation of best practices — promotion of good health, prevention of non-communicablediseases and scaling up integrated care.

Scope: to support pan-EU collaboration between healthand/or social services actors at national, regional or local levels to help Member States to reach theUN/WHO voluntary global targets on non-communicable diseases and achieve the SustainableDevelopment Goal 3.4. Two calls will be published under this priority:

- Call 1: Implementation of best practices to promote health and prevent non-communicablediseases and to reduce health inequalities. Grants will be awarded to support best practicesselected by Member States for transfer from one Member State to others as part of the workof the Steering Group on Promotion and Prevention. Grant amount: 1,3 million euro.

Call 2: Integrated care. The action will aim to help care authorities develop the capacity toimplement integrated care through cooperative tools, guidance and knowledge. It willinvolve technical assistance to care authorities from other participating partners to developcapacity to implement and scale-up integrated care. Budget: 3,6 million euro.Expected publication of the two calls: first half 2018.

Supporting Member States - voluntary cooperation in the area of pricing through the EuripidCollaboration.

Scope: to support voluntary cooperation between Member States by putting in placeand maintaining a cooperative tool to exchange information on national policies in the area ofpricing of medicinal products. The grant will contribute to further establishing the Euripid databaseas a method of effective voluntary cooperation between Member States. The aim is to increase thecapacity of pricing and reimbursement authorities so that health systems can perform better in thearea of pharmaceutical expenditure and on pharmaceutical policies in general. Budget: 300.000euro. Expected publication of the call: first half 2018.

Orphacodes Project.

Scope: to support Member States in improving information gathering on rarediseases through the implementation of Orphacodes (the rare diseases specific codification system).The implementation process should be guided by: 1) the ‘Standard procedure and guide for thecoding with Orphacodes’ and 2) the ‘Specification and implementation manual of the Master file’,both of which were developed under the current RD-ACTION (Joint Action on rare diseases).Budget: 750.000 euro. Expected publication of the call: second half 2018.

Multiannual specific grant agreements for European Reference Networks (ERNs).

Scope: the actionwill support the provision of highly-specialised healthcare for rare or low-prevalence complexdiseases or conditions, and support the development of knowledge and expertise to diagnose, followup and manage patients. Specifically, the action will provide a better governance and coordinationof the approved ERNs (framework contracts for the period 2017-2021). Budget: 13,8 million euro.Expected publication of the call: first half 2018.

b) Joint Actions with Member States

Joint Action to strengthen preparedness in the EU against serious cross-border threats to healthand support the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR).

Scope: to helpstrengthening the preparedness, including laboratory capacities, and the implementation of IHR inthe EU. Activities are expected to improve preparedness and response planning for serious crossborderthreats to health. The work is part of a wider approach to strengthening health systems, whilealso ensuring coherence and interoperability between sectors at EU and Member States’ levels.Budget: 7,9 million euro. Expected publication of the call: first half 2018.

c) PrizesEU Health Award for NGOs.

The EU Health Award for NGOs focuses on practices andinterventions which support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in priorityhealth topics chosen by the Steering Group on Health Promotion and Prevention and Managementof Non-Communicable Diseases or the Health Security Committee. Budget: 60.000 euro. Expectedpublication of the call: first half 2018.

Eligible applicants

Action grants: legally established organisations, such as national health authorities, public andprivate bodies, in particular research and health organisations, universities and higher educationestablishments. The Programme is accessible also to non-governmental bodies and patientorganisations working in the public health area. For the European Reference Networks theinvitation to apply will be sent only the Framework Partnership Agreement holders.

Joint actions: competent authorities (ie: Ministries of Health) or public bodies/non-governmentalorganisations that are designated through a transparent procedure by the Member State of thecompetent authority concerned and agreed by the European Commission. In order to be designatedby the Member State authorities, the public body/NGO has to receive a letter from the Ministry ofHealth.

Funding

The grants cover 60% of the costs of the project. This figure can rise to 80% in specific cases:

a) For Action grants (Projects)- At least 60 % of the total budget of the action must be used to fund staff;- At least 30 % of the budget of the proposed action is allocated to Member States whosegross national income (GNI) per inhabitant is less than 90 % of the Union average;- The proposal must demonstrate excellence in furthering public health in Europe and a veryhigh EU added value.

b) For Joint Actions- At least 30 % of the budget of the proposed action is allocated to Member States whosegross national income (GNI) per inhabitant is less than 90 % of the Union average;- Bodies from at least 14 participating countries must participate in the action, out of which atleast four must be countries whose GNI per inhabitant is less than 90 % of the EU average.

More_information athttps://ec.europa.eu/health/funding/programme/adoption_workplan_2018_en