EU Horizon Europe Call: Strengthening Health Information Systems for Universal Health Coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa

This Horizon Europe call presents a strategic opportunity for consortia to drive transformative change in health data management across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call's primary objective is to strengthen health information systems to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), one of the most ambitious global health goals of the 21st century. With the COVID-19 pandemic having exposed critical gaps in health surveillance and data readiness, the EU has prioritized investments that enhance data quality, interoperability, and use at all levels of the health system. The call is part of the Horizon Europe Cluster 1: Health, which focuses on health determinants, non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and health systems. It is specifically designed to support the digital transformation of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. The total indicative budget is €20 million, with individual projects expected to receive between €3-5 million. Projects should be 36-48 months long and involve partnerships between EU and African entities. Key technical areas include: interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, openMRS); mobile health applications; data analytics and artificial intelligence for decision support; electronic medical records; and capacity building for health workers. The call also stresses the importance of data privacy and security, aligning with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Furthermore, gender mainstreaming is mandatory, requiring sex-disaggregated data collection and analysis. Applicants must demonstrate a needs-based approach, contextualizing their proposed solutions to the specific health system challenges of the target countries. The call encourages the use of open-source technologies and collaborative platforms to ensure long-term sustainability. This is a high-impact opportunity that aligns with the EU's Global Health Strategy and the African Union's Digital Health agenda. Successful projects will not only improve health outcomes but also strengthen health system governance and accountability. The call's emphasis on capacity building and knowledge transfer means that training components, such as those offered by GSLI, are integral to a successful proposal. From a geopolitical perspective, this call reflects the EU's renewed commitment to global health as a pillar of its foreign policy. The EU aims to position itself as a leading partner in Africa's health transformation, countering influence from other global players. The call also supports the EU-Africa partnership, particularly the Joint Vision for 2030. By strengthening health information systems, the EU intends to enhance disease surveillance for epidemic preparedness, reduce maternal and child mortality, and combat communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The call explicitly links to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (health and well-being) and SDG 17 (partnerships). Moreover, it aligns with the World Health Organization's Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020-2025). Applicants should be aware of these broader political dynamics, as they may influence the evaluation criteria. The EU expects projects to demonstrate not only technical excellence but also policy coherence with EU and African Union strategies. Consortia that include stakeholders from both regions, and that show a clear understanding of the local policy landscape, will have a competitive edge. The deadline of September 15, 2026, provides ample time for careful consortium building and proposal development. However, given the complexity of the call, early preparation is essential. GSLI can assist in training staff on EU proposal writing, project management, and M&E, which are crucial for a successful bid. Financially, the call operates under the Horizon Europe model: 100% funding for direct costs plus a 25% flat rate for indirect costs. For non-profit entities, the funding rate can be 100% of eligible direct costs. Co-financing is not mandatory but is viewed favorably. The EU encourages leverage of other sources, such as national budgets or development banks. The budget must be justified with clear cost categories (personnel, equipment, travel, subcontracting, and other costs). In-kind contributions are allowed but must be valued and documented. Successful projects will typically allocate a significant portion (30-40%) to capacity building and training, which is where GSLI courses can be integrated. The call requires a Data Management Plan (DMP) outlining how data will be collected, stored, and shared. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and data protection, must be addressed. The evaluation process is two-step: first, an expert panel assesses the proposal against three criteria: Excellence (1-5), Impact (1-5), and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (1-5). Proposals scoring above 3 in each criterion are considered. The second step involves ethics and security scrutiny. The maximum project duration is 48 months, with milestones and deliverables clearly defined. Overall, this call is a golden opportunity for organizations dedicated to health systems strengthening, and with the right capacity building, success is achievable.

Strategic Overview

This Horizon Europe call presents a strategic opportunity for consortia to drive transformative change in health data management across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call's primary objective is to strengthen health information systems to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), one of the most ambitious global health goals of the 21st century. With the COVID-19 pandemic having exposed critical gaps in health surveillance and data readiness, the EU has prioritized investments that enhance data quality, interoperability, and use at all levels of the health system. The call is part of the Horizon Europe Cluster 1: Health, which focuses on health determinants, non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and health systems. It is specifically designed to support the digital transformation of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. The total indicative budget is €20 million, with individual projects expected to receive between €3-5 million. Projects should be 36-48 months long and involve partnerships between EU and African entities. Key technical areas include: interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, openMRS); mobile health applications; data analytics and artificial intelligence for decision support; electronic medical records; and capacity building for health workers. The call also stresses the importance of data privacy and security, aligning with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Furthermore, gender mainstreaming is mandatory, requiring sex-disaggregated data collection and analysis. Applicants must demonstrate a needs-based approach, contextualizing their proposed solutions to the specific health system challenges of the target countries. The call encourages the use of open-source technologies and collaborative platforms to ensure long-term sustainability. This is a high-impact opportunity that aligns with the EU's Global Health Strategy and the African Union's Digital Health agenda. Successful projects will not only improve health outcomes but also strengthen health system governance and accountability. The call's emphasis on capacity building and knowledge transfer means that training components, such as those offered by GSLI, are integral to a successful proposal. From a geopolitical perspective, this call reflects the EU's renewed commitment to global health as a pillar of its foreign policy. The EU aims to position itself as a leading partner in Africa's health transformation, countering influence from other global players. The call also supports the EU-Africa partnership, particularly the Joint Vision for 2030. By strengthening health information systems, the EU intends to enhance disease surveillance for epidemic preparedness, reduce maternal and child mortality, and combat communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The call explicitly links to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (health and well-being) and SDG 17 (partnerships). Moreover, it aligns with the World Health Organization's Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020-2025). Applicants should be aware of these broader political dynamics, as they may influence the evaluation criteria. The EU expects projects to demonstrate not only technical excellence but also policy coherence with EU and African Union strategies. Consortia that include stakeholders from both regions, and that show a clear understanding of the local policy landscape, will have a competitive edge. The deadline of September 15, 2026, provides ample time for careful consortium building and proposal development. However, given the complexity of the call, early preparation is essential. GSLI can assist in training staff on EU proposal writing, project management, and M&E, which are crucial for a successful bid. Financially, the call operates under the Horizon Europe model: 100% funding for direct costs plus a 25% flat rate for indirect costs. For non-profit entities, the funding rate can be 100% of eligible direct costs. Co-financing is not mandatory but is viewed favorably. The EU encourages leverage of other sources, such as national budgets or development banks. The budget must be justified with clear cost categories (personnel, equipment, travel, subcontracting, and other costs). In-kind contributions are allowed but must be valued and documented. Successful projects will typically allocate a significant portion (30-40%) to capacity building and training, which is where GSLI courses can be integrated. The call requires a Data Management Plan (DMP) outlining how data will be collected, stored, and shared. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and data protection, must be addressed. The evaluation process is two-step: first, an expert panel assesses the proposal against three criteria: Excellence (1-5), Impact (1-5), and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (1-5). Proposals scoring above 3 in each criterion are considered. The second step involves ethics and security scrutiny. The maximum project duration is 48 months, with milestones and deliverables clearly defined. Overall, this call is a golden opportunity for organizations dedicated to health systems strengthening, and with the right capacity building, success is achievable.

Who is it For?

This call is specifically designed for consortia comprising a diverse range of stakeholders from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and Sub-Saharan African countries. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, public health authorities, hospitals, digital health companies, and other legal entities with expertise in health information systems, public health informatics, epidemiology, data science, and health policy. The call strongly encourages the involvement of African partners as co-applicants or affiliated entities to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Key target beneficiaries include health ministries in Sub-Saharan Africa, national health information system (NHIS) units, disease surveillance programs, community health worker networks, and primary healthcare providers. The call also targets organizations with experience in capacity building, health system strengthening, and the implementation of interoperable digital health platforms. Applicants must demonstrate a track record in research and innovation, as well as the ability to manage multi-country, multi-stakeholder projects. The call is not open to individuals or single entities; consortia must include at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries. Additional partners from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Sub-Saharan Africa are required to ensure relevance and impact. Organizations with expertise in ethical data governance, data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR), and gender-sensitive approaches are particularly valued. In summary, the call is for consortia capable of implementing large-scale digital health interventions that strengthen health information systems for universal health coverage.

Priorities

The EU's Horizon Europe call is deeply embedded in the global health and development agenda, with several interconnected priorities. Firstly, it aligns with the EU's Global Health Strategy, which emphasizes digital transformation, health security, and strengthening health systems to achieve UHC. The call directly contributes to SDG 3.8 (achieve universal health coverage) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). Key investment KPIs include: (1) reduction in under-five mortality rates; (2) increased coverage of essential health services; (3) improved timeliness and completeness of routine health data; (4) enhanced interoperability between health information systems across levels of care; (5) increased use of data for policy and decision-making; (6) strengthened capacity for disease surveillance and outbreak response; and (7) improved patient outcomes through data-driven care. The donor prioritizes scalable and sustainable solutions that leverage existing infrastructure and promote local ownership. Additionally, the call focuses on addressing gender inequalities, ensuring that health data systems capture and report sex-disaggregated data. The EU also expects consortia to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to enhance predictive analytics and decision support. Environmental sustainability is another priority, with the call encouraging the use of green technologies and minimizing the carbon footprint of digital infrastructure. Finally, the call prioritizes ethical considerations, such as data privacy, informed consent, and community engagement. The overall investment rationale is to foster resilient health systems that can respond to emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining routine service delivery.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for this Horizon Europe call are stringent and require careful compliance. The consortium must consist of at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries. Additionally, the participation of entities from Sub-Saharan African countries is mandatory, with at least one African partner from the target region. Legal entities can be universities, research institutes, companies, NGOs, or international organizations. All partners must be established in eligible countries, and for entities from non-associated third countries, they generally do not receive EU funding unless specifically provided in the topic description. The call requires the submission of a full proposal through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, with a maximum page limit of 70 pages (excluding annexes). Financial viability checks will be conducted on coordinators, who must have adequate operational capacity to manage EU funds. The total budget for the call is €20 million, with individual project funding capped at €5 million. The funding rate for Horizon Europe actions is 100% for direct costs, plus a flat rate of 25% for indirect costs (overheads). However, for non-profit organizations, the rate can be up to 100% of eligible direct costs. In-kind contributions are allowed but must be justified. Special eligibility conditions include: (1) the participation of at least one partner from a Sub-Saharan African country; (2) adherence to the Horizon Europe Standard Application Form (AF); (3) submission of a Data Management Plan; (4) compliance with ethical principles, including data protection and informed consent; and (5) inclusion of a gender dimension in research content. Proposals must also address the specific policy priorities highlighted in the call text, such as strengthening health information systems at national and subnational levels. Non-compliance may result in immediate rejection.

Path to Success

To successfully secure funding under this Horizon Europe call, GSLI recommends a strategic roadmap that integrates its specialized training courses. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Capacity Building (Months 0–6). Assemble a consortium with complementary expertise and ensure all partners have baseline knowledge in EU grant management. GSLI can offer its 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to train team members on Horizon Europe templates, evaluation criteria, and the specific nuances of health-related calls. Additionally, 'Project Management for Development' is crucial to design the work breakdown structure and Gantt chart that demonstrate coherent implementation planning. Step 2: Consortium Formation and Alignment (Months 6–12). Identify and secure African partners with strong government linkages and access to local health data systems. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course helps partners design a results framework that aligns with the EU's KPIs and ensures data quality. Conduct a needs assessment to define the scope of work. Step 3: Proposal Writing and Optimization (Months 12–18). Draft the full proposal, focusing on the three key sections: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation. GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course can enhance the budget narrative and co-financing strategy. Use the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to refine the summary and impact sections. Step 4: Submission and Follow-up (Months 18–24). Submit through the EU portal, ensuring all mandatory annexes are complete. After submission, GSLI offers 'Grants Management' to prepare for the negotiation phase, where financial and legal checks are finalized. If awarded, the 'Financial Management for NGOs' course will be critical for setting up accounting systems and audit trails. Throughout the project lifecycle, GSLI's 'WASH', 'Public Health & Epidemiology', and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses can be cross-sold to support specific work packages, such as health data system strengthening for waterborne diseases (WASH), epidemiological surveillance (Public Health), and procurement of hardware and software (Supply Chain). By integrating GSLI training from proposal stages to implementation, the consortium enhances its credibility, operational readiness, and compliance, significantly increasing the chances of funding success.

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Deadline: 2026-09-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal