Behavioural interventions as primary prevention for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among young people

Topic code: HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-02

General information

Topic description

Expected Outcome:

This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination “Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society”. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim to deliver results that are directed at, tailored towards and contributing to most of the following expected outcomes:

1. Healthcare professionals have access to behavioural interventions that can be used to establish and reinforce healthy habits and sustain behavioural changes.
2. Health professionals and educators have access to evidence-based strategies to mitigate risks of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) for youth, with clear metrics that can be used to assess health outcomes.
3. Youth have increased individual responsibility through targeted education, digital services, including easily accessible tools for self-monitoring, and community-based support, stemming from increased collaboration between healthcare professionals, educators and families.
4. Researchers have access to Real-World Data (RWD)[1], existing health data infrastructure and digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can contribute to the sustained success of behavioural health interventions.
5. Policymakers at local, regional, national and EU levels have new knowledge on behavioural interventions on NCDs among youth, which they can use to improve interventions in diverse European contexts.

Scope:

The topic is focused on behavioural interventions for youth, defined as 12 to 25 years old, for the primary prevention of the top NCDs later in life, where “top NCDs” refers to the most prevalent NCDs[2]. For the purpose of this call, NCDs explicitly exclude cancer.

Implementation research should be conducted to implement existing behavioural interventions. These interventions should be evidence-based and have an emphasis on empowerment and self-management (e.g. health literacy, health education, health promotion). As self-monitoring is an essential element of self-management, proposals should include user-friendly hardware and software for efficient self-monitoring (i.e. wearables and point-of-care devices for measuring various physiological parameters and other predictors and other biomarkers and the corresponding apps for easy readout and tracking, possibly also including gamification elements). Hardware and software should be interoperable in line with internationally accepted standards in order to avoid lock-in effects and assure scalability.

Proposals should also include most of the following aspects:

1. Ensure that gender-sensitive and intersectional approaches are integrated, addressing potential gender-specific barriers for groups at risk of discrimination, as well as cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and should also outline how digital tools, including AI and RWD and biomarkers (e.g. genomic data, wearables, etc.) or existing relevant administrative dataset, will be integrated to enhance the scalability, personalisation, and effectiveness of interventions in the long-term.
2. Present a clear, evidence-based strategy showing how the interventions will be tailored, deployed, and assessed at individual, family, community, and societal levels, while considering social inequalities and lifestyle factors (i.e. nutrition, sleep rhythm) and ensuring a robust methodological framework for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions (e.g. randomised controlled trails, quasi-experimental designs, etc.), with clearly defined indicators of success of the intervention (e.g. biometric markers, psychosocial wellbeing metrics, physical activity change, etc.). Applicants should evaluate unintended consequences for all interventions.
3. Include formats that will increase collaboration between healthcare professionals, educators, families, and policymakers in promoting preventive health and should include plans for longer-term follow-up to estimate health impact and cost savings over time. Related to this, applicants should outline how policy changes related to the intervention (e.g. school meal programmes, safe urban infrastructure for exercise, digital literacy campaigns, circadian alignment, stress reduction strategies) can reinforce and scale up successful behavioural interventions, whilst taking into account how they can be replicated or adapted to different cultural, geographic and socio-economic contexts. As such, active involvement of key stakeholders throughout the study is strongly encouraged.

This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, organisations as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

The proposals should adhere to the FAIR[3] data principles, adopt data quality standards, data integration operating procedures and GDPR[4] compliant data sharing/access good practices developed by the European research infrastructures, where relevant.

Applicants should provide details of their clinical studies[5] in the dedicated annex using the template provided in the submission system. As proposals under this topic are expected to include clinical studies, the use of the template is strongly encouraged.

[1] EMA definition: “Real-World Data are routinely collected data relating to patient health status or the delivery of healthcare from a variety of sources other than traditional clinical trials (e.g. claims databases, hospital data, electronic health records, registries, mhealth data, etc.)”.

[2] The prevalence of a disease is the number of cases in a defined population at a specified point in time. See https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/36838/9241544465.pdf

[3] See definition of FAIR data in the introduction to this Work Programme part.

[4] General Data Protection Regulation: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection_en, https://gdpr-info.eu

[5] Please note that the definition of clinical studies (see introduction to this Work Programme part) is broad and it is recommended that you review it thoroughly before submitting your application.

Topic updates

25 August 2026

We recently informed the applicants about the evaluation results for their proposals. The results of the evaluation for this topic are as follows:

1. Number of proposals submitted (including proposals transferred from or to other calls): 74
2. Number of inadmissible proposals: 0
3. Number of ineligible proposals: 3
4. Number of above-threshold proposals: 15
5. Total budget requested for above-threshold proposals: €149,213,012.50
6. Number of proposals retained for funding: 2
7. Number of proposals in the reserve list: 2
8. Funding threshold: 15.00
9. Number of proposals with scores lower or equal to 15 and higher or equal to 14: 10
10. Number of proposals with scores lower than 14 and higher or equal to 13: 3
11. Number of proposals with scores lower than 13 and higher or equal to 12: 2

Proposals with the same score were ranked according to the priority order procedure set out in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

For questions, please contact the Research Enquiry Service.

24 August 2026

Summary of observer report:

Two independent observers were appointed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) to follow the evaluation process. They observed the central evaluation between 2 June and 7 July 2026 and attended briefings for experts that took place in the month of May 2026.

The proposals were submitted to 18 single stage and 5 two-stage topics with a deadline of 16 April 2026, covering topics from HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01 single stage call and HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-two-stage (2nd stage) call.

The evaluation was very complex because HaDEA received a very large number of submitted proposals (over 1,000); it included single stage, and two-stage topics, and three types of actions RIA, IA and CSA. A large number of external experts (over 1,000) were involved. Staff included 57 full-time HaDEA A3 and 28 additional staff from HaDEA or parent DGs, the majority supporting part-time. The selection of such a large number of external experts was extremely work intense as it requires knowledge of thematic areas and significant input of time to match expertise with the call requirements. A tremendous effort during all the evaluation steps by all the persons involved resulted in the successful and timely completion of the evaluation process.

The entire evaluation process was fully transparent and followed all applicable rules and guidelines. The latter were clearly communicated to experts at the start of the process, during general and topic specific briefings and, by the moderators, during central evaluation and the panel meetings as needed. The HaDEA staff involved, including moderators, call secretariat team and quality checkers, conducted the evaluation in an excellent and impartial manner, ensuring a high quality of the process.

Each evaluation phase involving individual experts was implemented in an efficient and effective way in remote and on site. Central planning was both ambitious and realistic regarding the timetable; competent experts were selected and were properly briefed and very well guided and supported by the call coordination team, Heads of Sectors, topic leads and moderators. Individual evaluation, consensus group discussions, and panel review were conducted professionally. The best proposals were ranked and prioritised for each topic considering the guidelines provided in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Programme.

Good practices are highlighted in the report as are the challenges related to the heavy workload for the HaDEA staff. There is some concern about feasibility of sustaining such intense effort over years.

Areas where improvements in the evaluation procedures are possible and desirable concern predominantly HaDEA and the next EU Research and Innovation framework programme because they relate to the oversubscription, score grid and score descriptors for the evaluation scores, factors for ranking proposals with the same score, and lump sum assessment.

29 April 2026

Call HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01 closed on 16 April 2026. 1003 proposals were submitted. The breakdown per topic is:

1. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-02: 74 proposals
2. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-03: 16 proposals
3. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-01: 119 proposals
4. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-04: 38 proposals
5. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-05: 3 proposals
6. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-02: 102 proposals
7. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-03: 103 proposals
8. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-04: 27 proposals
9. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-09: 84 proposals
10. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11: 89 proposals
11. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-15: 9 proposals
12. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-01: 9 proposals
13. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-03: 82 proposals
14. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-03: 204 proposals
15. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-05: 20 proposals
16. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-06: 1 proposals
17. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-07: 3 proposals
18. HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-IND-03: 20 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated on Friday 7 August 2026 at the earliest.

12 February 2026

The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-03, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-05, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-04, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-06, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-IND-03, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-03, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-01, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-03, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-01, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-15, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-02, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-05, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-TOOL-07, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-STAYHLTH-02, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-09, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-CARE-03, HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-04

11 February 2026

Please note that the call opening is delayed, as we are experiencing technical issues.

Topic destination

Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society (2026-27)

Topics under this destination are directed towards the Key Strategic Orientations "A more resilient, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe" and "The Digital transition" of Horizon Europe’s strategic plan 2025-2027[1].

Research and Innovation supported under this destination should contribute to the following expected impact, set out in the strategic plan impact summary for the Health Cluster: “people of all ages in the EU stay healthy, resilient, and independent even as society changes fast. This will arise from healthier lifestyles and behaviour, healthier diets, healthier environments, improved evidence-informed health policies, and more effective solutions for health and well-being promotion, disease prevention and monitoring, and rehabilitation”.

People´s healthcare needs are different depending on their age, gender, stage of life, health status and socioeconomic background. In 2021, nearly 860,000 premature deaths across the EU[2] could have been prevented with effective primary prevention and other public health measures. In addition, an estimated 135 million people in Europe live with a disability[3], highlighting the critical need for healthcare systems that are both accessible and adaptable. This number is expected to rise due to population ageing and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions resulting from noncommunicable diseases and injuries. It is also important to consider disabilities arising from other causes, such as war-related injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which add to the complexity and diversity of healthcare needs.

Aligning with the Commission's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029[4], which call for stepping up work on preventive health, this destination aims to strengthen disease prevention and early detection, placing support and empowerment of individuals regarding their own health, well-being and living and working conditions at the core of future public health programmes.

Research and Innovation under this destination should help enhance the dialogue and coordination among stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring integration across different care settings for holistic health promotion and disease prevention. Funded activities should seek to leverage the wealth of data sources, including real-world health data and establish a European interconnected health data ecosystem to develop integrated and personalised health promotion and disease prevention strategies. These activities will benefit from and actively support and enrich emerging data resources such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS)[5] and European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)[6], and contribute to the European care strategy[7] and the digital transformation of health and care in the EU[8]. Since Horizon Europe’s launch in 2021, this destination has addressed important issues such as obesity prevention, understanding health-to-disease transitions, life course approaches to physical and mental health, healthy ageing, digital health literacy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for chronic disease risk prediction.

In this Work Programme part, destination “Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society” will focus on: i) addressing disabilities through the life course to support independent living and inclusion, with an emphasis on empowering persons with disabilities and their families. This priority aligns with the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030; and ii) developing behavioural interventions as primary prevention for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with an emphasis on promoting healthy habits and sustained behavioural change among youth. This priority aligns with the ‘Healthier together’ EU non-communicable diseases initiative.

To increase the impact of EU investments under Horizon Europe, the Commission encourages collaboration between EU-funded projects to foster synergies through networking, joint workshops, knowledge exchange, best practices, and joint communication activities. Synergies can be explored between projects funded under the same or different topics, Clusters or Pillars of Horizon Europe. This includes collaborations between projects funded under the Health Cluster and the 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society' Cluster for complementary actions, such as promoting social inclusion, health equity (including gender equality and support for groups at risk of discrimination), and mental health initiatives in education, work, and daily life (including through culture, the arts and sports).

Expected impacts:

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing to staying healthy in a rapidly changing society, and more specifically to one or several of the following impacts:

1. Citizens, including persons with disabilities and other groups in a vulnerable situation, adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles and behaviours, make healthier choices, and achieve, where applicable, longer healthy, independent, and active lives with a reduced burden of preventable disease throughout the life