Responding to the May 2026 Andes Hantavirus Outbreak In early May 2026, a cluster of severe respiratory illness aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius was formally notified to WHO and ECDC. On 6 May, the causative agent was confirmed as Andes hantavirus (ANDV) — a rare but potentially fatal pathogen previously associated with South America. Within days, cases had been reported across multiple European countries, underscoring the speed at which an emerging threat …

BE READY coordinates European research response to Andes hantavirus outbreak Continue reading

One Health is embedded in BE READY’s scientific logic from the ground up On 28 May 2026, BE READY was featured at a live webinar hosted by the EU Health Policy Platform, co-organised with PEITHO and the European One Health Alliance. The session brought together researchers, policymakers, and European Commission representatives to examine One Health approaches to emerging infectious disease threats. Natalia Martin and Laurent Jaboeuf from ANRS Maladies infectieuses émergentes presented on …

Event | EU Health Policy Platform · 28 May 2026 Continue reading

As BE READY approaches its conclusion in May 2025, the final newsletter offers an overview of the project’s key achievements and a forward look at the next phase of work. Over the past three years, BE READY has brought together 25 partners from 16 countries to strengthen Europe’s pandemic preparedness through more coordinated and strategic research and innovation.Key outcomes include the development of the first version of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), a guiding document …

Final highlights and what comes next Continue reading

Launched in January 2025, BE READY PLUS builds on the foundations laid by BE READY and is running for one year, focusing on ensuring a smooth transition from strategic planning to the implementation of the Partnership, by establishing operational structures that broaden the participation of EU Member States and Associated countries. This will include the preparation of the future Joint Transnational Calls funded by the Partnership to boost excellent research in pandemic preparedness. BE READY …

BE READY PLUS – looking ahead Continue reading

The BE READY – BE READY PLUS conference, held in Brussels on April 8th and 9th, combined the conclusion of BE READY and the beginning of BE READY PLUS. It aimed to present the future European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness objectives and activities to Member States, Associated countries and Research funders, and to engage with EU and international stakeholders to strengthen the EU’s preparedness and response capacity in case of a health emergency. …

BE READY – BE READY PLUS Conference, April 8th & 9th, in Brussels, Belgium Continue reading

The Pandemic Preparedness and Response Observatory compiles country profiles of EU Member States and Associated Countries to provide a clear inventory of R&I approaches to pandemic preparedness and response. These profiles present key information on:•    R&I policies and strategies•    Research Infrastructure and funding mechanisms•    Key actors and authorities•    R&I response in case of emergency So far, a list of 22 Country Profiles has been published. We are still working on new country profiles, and the …

BE READY OBSERVATORY Continue reading

The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) is a central document for the future European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness. It aims to define the thematic priorities and strategic objectives of the Partnership, to foster alignment and to be a guiding document for the European research ecosystem. By analysing existing gaps in research programs and structural deficits, describing joint approaches to address them, and carefully describing shared priorities for action and stakeholders to be involved, …

BE READY – SRIA Continue reading

BE READY stands for “Building a European strategic Research and Innovation Area in Direct Synergy with EU and International Initiatives for Pandemic Preparedness” and is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) funded with 2 million euros by the European Commission. The project BE READY aims to build a consolidated European Research and Innovation Area that provides the foundation of the candidate European partnership for pandemic preparedness to improve the EU’s preparedness to predict …

BE READY – At a glance Continue reading

BE READY and BE READY PLUS will jointly take part in the upcoming PREPARE-EU Spring School, hosted by KU Leuven on 2–3 June 2025 in Leuven, Belgium. Under the theme “Connecting European Expertise for Pandemic Preparedness”, the Spring School brings together 13 EU-funded projects that are actively shaping Europe’s preparedness for future health threats. As part of the event, BE READY and BE READY PLUS will contribute by jointly presenting their work, highlighting the continuity between the two projects and …

BE READY and BE READY PLUS at the PREPARE-EU Spring School Continue reading

Brussels, April 8th -9th, 2025 “The Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness is the central piece of European research coordination in emergency preparedness and response. We view it as a valuable contribution to the implementation of the vision outlined in the European Preparedness Union Strategy, helping to strengthen Europe’s collective ability to respond to future health crises and enhance overall preparedness.” – Irene Norstedt, Director Health and Society, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission. To advance …

BE READY – BE READY PLUS Conference: a significant milestone in shaping Europe’s future Pandemic Preparedness and Response Continue reading