The European Commission has published the second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-2013)EHAC

Publication: The European Commission has published the adoption of the Work Plan for 2011 for the implementation of the second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-2013), on the selection, award and other criteria for financial contributions to the actions of this programme in the Official Journal of the European Union (2011/C 69/01)OJEU

The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC) is entrusted by the European Commission to implement the Health Programme. This is mainly done through financing four types of different actions: projects, conferences, joint actions and operation grants. Those actions intend to have a special European dimension, meaning that a minimum of various partners of different European Countries have to be involved in the project plan.

The second Health Programme is intended to complement, support and add value to the

policies of the Member States and to contribute to increased solidarity and prosperity in the European Union. The Programme's objectives are

- to improve citizens' health security;

- to promote health, including the reduction of health inequalities and

- to generate and disseminate health information and knowledge.

Eligible countries: To receive Community financial support for a project, i.e. to be a main beneficiary or associated partner, the organisation needs to be legally established in:

The European Union (any of the 27 Member States), or

An EFTA country party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), or Croatia

Organizations from other countries can only participate as subcontractors or collaborating partners in projects.

Proposals should provide a genuine European dimension in order to make sense both technically and in terms of policy. Depending on the scope of the action, previous projects involved in average 6-10 partners.

This means that they should involve as many organisations as possible and at least two mutually independent legal entities - one main partner and one associated partner - established in two different eligible countries.

Deadline to submit proposals: 27th May 2011

Co-financing rule: you need to have your own financial resources or financial resources of third parties to contribute to 40-50% the costs of the actions

A. Grants for Projects

Different types of projects are eligible for co-funding within the Health Programme, including research projects providing a basis to make evidence-based decisions in public health practice; projects aimed at developing and testing public health interventions; projects concerned with the wider dissemination and implementation of an existing public health intervention in a particular target group or population; or a combination of the above

For each of the actions, only one proposal will be funded, except where it is mentioned otherwise

Improve citizens' health security

1) Project on multi-sectoral preparedness and health security: public health preparedness and response planning in the field of pandemic influenza and other serious cross-border health threats, including bio-threats. Funding for one proposal: 500.000 €

2) Project on crisis communication in the area of risk management. Funding for one proposal: 300.000 €

Promote Health

3) Reducing health inequalities: preparation for action plans and structural funds projects Funding for one proposal: 1.200.000 €

4) Good practice on brief interventions to address alcohol use disorders in primary health care,

workplace health services, emergency care and social services. Funding for one proposal: 350.000 €

5) Support to actions in line with the Commission Communication on Action against Cancer: European Partnership. Funding for one proposal: 300.000 €

6) Support to European rare diseases information networks. This action should allow to fundmore than one network: 1.500.000 €

Generate and disseminate health information and knowledge.

7) Support creation of pilot network of hospitals related to payment of care for cross border patients. Funding for one proposal: 500.000 €

B. Joint Actions

EU contributions may be awarded to public bodies or non-governmental bodies based in

a Member State or in other participating country which participates in a given joint

action. However, they have to be expressly mandated to do so by the authorities of the

Member State/other participating country concerned

1. Support to the implementation of national plans/strategies on rare diseases and related measures to implement Council Recommendation and Commission Communication on rare diseases. Maximum EU co-funding: 3.000.000 €

2. Cross-border e-health instruments as supporting tools for medical

information and research. Maximum EU co-funding: 2.400.000 €

3. Complementary joint action on pilot HTA's on targeted health technologies. Maximum EU co-funding: 6.600.000 €

4. Patient safety and quality of healthcare. Maximum EU co-funding: 3.600.000 €

5. Assisting Member States in reaching the full potential of deceased and living donation. Maximum EU co-funding: 1.440.000 €

C. Conferences

Conference proposals can be submitted by a public body or a non-profit-making body (universities, higher education establishments, non-governmental organizations, foundations and other organizations) established in a country participating in the EU Health Programme..

Community contributions may be awarded for the organisation of conferences which directly correspond to the priorities of the Health Programme and to the priorities of this work plan

For organisational reasons, conferences must be held in 2012.

Are eligible for funding the organisation of conferences which directly correspond to the

priorities of the Health Programme and to the priorities of this work plan as set out in

point 3 Priorities for 2011 and which have a wide European dimension.

Selected conferences will be eligible for financing by the Community up to EUR 100 000 and maximum 50% of the total budget. The total indicative amount for the call for proposals for operating grants in 2011 is estimated at EUR 600.000.

D. Operating Grant

The purpose of an operating grant is the co-finance the functioning of an organisation which promotes a health agenda in line with the Programme.

Operating grants may be awarded to non-governmental bodies and specialised networks from the 27 Member States of the European Union and EFTA-EEA countries active in areas corresponding to the priorities of the Health Programme

The total indicative amount for the call for proposals for operating grants in 2011 is estimated at

EUR 4.000.000. They are calculated on the basis of eligible costs incurred.