Programm: Health Programme

The EU is required by its founding treaty to ensure that human health is protected as part of all its policies, and to work with the EU countries to improve public health, prevent human illness and eliminate sources of danger to physical and mental health.

The 3rd Health Programme has 4 overarching objectives. It seeks to:

1. Promote health, prevent diseases and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles taking into account the 'health in all policies' principle,
2. Protect Union citizens from serious cross-border health threats,
3. Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems,
4. Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for Union citizens.

The third EU health programme is the main instrument the European Commission uses to implement the EU health strategy. It is implemented by means of annual work plans which set out priority areas and the criteria for funding actions under the programme. The total budget for the programme is € 449.4 million.

All projects should involve at least three partners (separate legal entities)  from different countries.

Legally established organisations can be awarded, including, public authorities, public sector bodies, in particular research and health institutions, universities and higher education establishments. They can submit a project proposal as the coordinator or participate as other beneficiary. 

Normally 60 percent of the eligible costs of the project can be covered by the EU contribution. Given the complementary and motivational nature of EU grants, at least 40 percent of project costs must be funded from partners' sources such as staff costs pertaining to national officials and other external resources.

In cases of exceptional utility, projects can receive 80 percent co-financing of eligible costs. The criteria for exceptional utility are defined in the annual work programme.

Please note that overheads (indirect costs) are not eligible for the applicants receiving an operating grant from the Union budget during the period in question.