BE READY: A New European Partnership Launching Its First Activities in Early 2026.

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What is the Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness BE READY?

• BE READY aims to ensure that Europe is better prepared for the next epidemic or pandemic for the next 10 years.
• Its first three-year phase brings together 81 partners from 27 countries, mobilising €118 million provided jointly by the European Union and participating national partners.
• In 2026, news surrounding BE READY will focus on two major events: the launch of the Partnership’s first Joint Transational Call, and the official launch ceremony, which will take place on 17 February in Paris.

Internal preparation meeting – 15–16 January 2026

Ahead of the public ceremony, the BE READY partners will meet on 15–16 January for a two-day internal working session. This meeting aims to:

• Align all teams on the early implementation activities;
• Ensure optimal coordination for two major upcoming milestones:
  the January Joint Transnational Call and the official Partnership launch event in February.

BE READY’s first Joint Transnational Call in January 2026

In January 2026, BE READY will launch its first Joint Transnational Call (JTC) for the scientific community. This call represents a first step in translating the Partnership’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) into action.

The call will support innovative, interdisciplinary, and collaborative multinational research projects focusing on:

• Understanding the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens;
• Investigating host–pathogen interactions and disease mechanisms;
• Developing or informing novel medical countermeasures aligned with pandemic preparedness needs.

More details in the upcoming article pre-announcing the JTC

Celebrating the launch of the Partnership – 17 February 2026, Paris

The European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness BE READY organizes an official  opening ceremony on 17 February 2026 in Paris.

This high-level event will bring together:

• 200 participants from 27 partner countries;
• Members of the BE READY consortium, and the broader preparedness community;
• Representatives of the European Commission;
• National ministries, research funding agencies, and public health authorities;
• The World Health Organization and key international organisations.

The event will showcase BE READY’s vision for the next decade and underline Europe’s shared commitment to strengthening preparedness and response capacities. Discussions will highlight the Partnership’s role within the broader European Health Security Framework, its synergies with the European Commission, and its contribution to a global architecture for pandemic preparedness.

This public event will formally introduce the Partnership, building on the work initiated through the previous BE READY and BE READY PLUS projects (2023–2025).

At a time when Europe is reinforcing its resilience and readiness for future infectious disease threats, the public presentation of BE READY aims to foster a more coordinated, efficient, and impactful European research and innovation ecosystem for epidemic preparedness and response.

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