Aim and Scope of the Call

The call aims to increase scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge on emerging and re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential, as well as on host responses triggered by infection.

The scope of JTC2026 primarily addresses Priority 1 of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA): “Accelerate knowledge in a coordinated and integrative manner.” It focuses on:

• Action 1.1: Increase knowledge on understanding, identifying, and addressing therapeutic targets on pathogens.
• Action 1.2: Increase knowledge on pathophysiology.

Proposals should deliver results contributing to at least one of the following:

• Identification of novel pathogen-specific molecular targets and mutation hotspots (i.e. discovery of critical proteins, enzymes or signalling molecules that play a central role in pathogen infectivity, survival and/or resistance);
• Improving the understanding of cross-species (zoonotic) aspects of host–pathogen interactions (in the context of the One Health approach);
• Application of the “Pathogen X” approach to generate transferable knowledge that can then be applied to other threatening viruses of the same family;
• Identification, development and optimisation of (new) structures with optimal therapeutic activity and low toxicity that can be potential lead compounds (particularly for vulnerable groups);
• Identification and validation of targets, alongside data integration, interoperability and modelling efforts to demonstrate the potential of these targets, including antigenic structures suitable for vaccine development, for subsequent therapeutic development (i.e. proof-of-concept studies);
• Improving data integration and modelling to predict pathogen behaviour and therapeutic susceptibilities;
• Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions, in humans including host predisposing factors, to guide future diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine development;
• Development and improvement of advanced immunological assays, experimental models and preclinical studies that link host genetics to disease outcomes.

Proposals must focus exclusively on one or more viruses from the following families:

Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Poxviridae, Togaviridae, or “Pathogen X.”

Proposals addressing global approaches towards a whole family of these pathogens are also feasible.

Proposals must be hypothesis-driven with a strong focus on reliable and rigorous methodology. Consortia should be interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from diverse fields such as clinical research, bioinformatics, veterinary science, public health, and social sciences. The added value of the transnational and interdisciplinary collaboration must be clearly demonstrated. Research plans should also integrate sex, gender, and diversity considerations.

Additionally, proposals are encouraged to address specific populations or vulnerable groups, incorporate highly innovative methodologies or state-of-the-art technologies, foster collaboration with private sector partners, and leverage existing cohorts and datasets.

Excluded topics and activities:

• Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens (resistant to antibiotics and antifungal agents).
• Research addressing SRIA priority actions 1.3 (Increase knowledge on environmental and social aspects driving pathogen emergence) and 1.4 (Increase knowledge on transmission dynamics and epidemiology);
• Clinical studies (covering clinical studies/trials/investigations/cohorts)

Awarded projects will have a duration of up to 36 months. For applicants based in Ireland, Research Ireland will provide the following funding for projects:

• Up to a maximum of €330,000 direct costs* per project for Irish applicants as Partner on transnational proposals.
• Up to a maximum of €405,000 direct costs* per project for Irish applicants as Coordinator on transnational proposals.

*The maximum total award per project, including overhead contribution, will be €430,000, for a partner and €530,000 for applicants who take on the role of coordinator.

Only an academic partner or coordinator based in an eligible Irish Host Research body may apply for Research Ireland funding.

The Irish-based applicant requesting Research Ireland funding must:

• hold a PhD or equivalent qualification for at least 3 years by the pre-proposal deadline. The official date is defined as the day, month and year that the degree was conferred i.e., the month and year printed on the official PhD certificate.

AND

• be a member of the academic staff of an eligible Research Body (permanent or with an active contract that covers the period of the grant)

OR

• be a contract researcher with a contract that covers the period of the grant, who is recognised by the eligible Research Body as an independent investigator and will have an independent office and research space for which he/she will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the Research Ireland grant

OR

• be an individual who will be recognised by the eligible Research Body upon receipt of the grant as an academic staff or as a contract researcher as defined above. The applicant does not necessarily need to be employed by the Research Body at the time of the application submission.

AND

• be an author on at least three international peer-reviewed articles. Only original research publications, and not review articles or other secondary research literature, are acceptable.

Applicants must also meet the primary eligibility and consortium requirements of the BE READY JTC 2026 as defined in the Call Text.

Please note clinical trials and investigations are not eligible for funding by Research Ireland for the Irish-based applicant.

In addition:

• Research Ireland will only accept one application per applicant.

All requested costs must be comprehensively justified. Please include detailed descriptions and cost itemisation in the proposal.

1. Salary-related costs for research personnel. Please use current Research Ireland Team Member Salary Scales. The Irish partner cannot request their own salary or buy-out.
2. Equipment costs up to a maximum value of €10K
3. Travel costs with consideration for Research Ireland’s Guidance for Sustainable Travel Policy  
4. Direct running costs (materials and consumables)
5. Dissemination and knowledge exchange costs    
6. Subcontracting costs may be considered an eligible budget category however strong justification for subcontracting must be provided and pre-approved directly with Research Ireland in advance of pre-proposal submission.

Unless otherwise stated, all rules regarding listed eligible costs apply as defined within Research Ireland’s grant budget policy. Please refer to this policy closely in the development of the budget request.

• Be Ready Website
• Be Ready – Joint Transnational Calls
• Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda for Pandemic Preparedness

• 19 January 2026: Publication of the call
• 28 January 2026: (10 -11:30 local Irish time) Information Webinar
• 13 April 2026 (12:00 local Irish time): Deadline for pre-proposal submission
• Expected End of June 2026: Communication of the results of the pre-proposal assessment and invitation to the full-proposal stage
• 20 August 2026 (12:00 local Irish time): Deadline for full-proposal submission
• Mid November 2026: Communication of the funding decisions to the applicants
• Q1/Q2 2027: Expected project start (according to regional/national funding regulations)

Please give a brief notification of your intent to submit a pre-proposal through email to eu-cofund@researchireland.ie before the submission deadline. Within the notification, please include the following information:

• List of project partners

• Irish Host institution*

• Total budget request to Research Ireland

• Whether you intend to apply as a coordinating or non-coordinating partner

 *Please note it is also the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Research Office of their Host Institution of their intention to submit a pre-proposal.

The completed pre-proposal must be submitted directly on the BE READY submission platform.

An information webinar for the BE READY JTC 2026 will be held on 28^th January 2026 (10am, Irish local time)

Link to join: Webex meeting

Webinar number/ Access code: 2742 754 5401

Webinar password: 2026JTC1 (20265821 when dialing from a phone or video system)