Work Programme 2016

On 1 March the Commission announced the adoption of the Work Programme for 2016 within the framework of the Third Health Programme (2014-2020).

This year, the following areas were identified for funding of projects:

· Best practices in care provision for vulnerable migrants and refugees

· Knowledge and best practices on reducing underage drinking and heavy episodic drinking

·  Knowledge and best practices on measures to prevent illicit drug use

·  Addressing the chronic disease challenge

The objective of this action is to identify ways that can potentially reduce the burden of major chronic diseases and increase the sustainability of health systems, with a particular focus on cost-efficiency of investments in prevention. Initiatives should “have the potential to become relevant elements of national chronic disease strategies and add up to an integrated response to chronic diseases”

·  European Reference Networks (information on ERNs is available here

This action concerns the development of 3-4 new registries on rare diseases based on existing registries in member states. These registries should constitute key instruments to increase knowledge on rare diseases and develop clinical research

·  Rare diseases – support for new registries

This action concerns the development of 3-4 new registries on rare diseases based on existing registries in member states. These registries should constitute key instruments to increase knowledge on rare diseases and develop clinical research

·  Donor selection and protection

The Consumer, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) will organise and manage a call for proposals for all grants for projects to be launched by the end of March 2016.

The total budget for 2016 is € 57,992,112. Of the total budget an amount € 13 million will be directed to projects.

Apart from projects, the following actions that could potentially be of interest will also be funded under the health programme:

· Joint action (i.e. led by member states) on chronic diseases and on authorisation of preparation processes in blood and tissues and cells

· Grant to the OECD for the preparation of the EU Health Report and country specific analyses –once the indicator on eye health is available, it would be interesting to explore whether it could be leveraged in this report/in the country-specific analyses  

The Commission’s implementing decision is available here.

The full annexes including the research priorities are available here and a summary of the annexes here.