Europe faces rapidly accelerating population ageing, driving multimorbidity and unsustainable healthcare costs. Yet, there is currently no dedicated coordination and support framework in the EU targeting the biological, social and systemic drivers of ageing. Hence, there is an urgent need for the establishment of an EU Coordination and Support Programme on Healthy Ageing and Longevity to integrate research, innovation, regulation, and capacity‑building across Member States.
This was the argument in the recent position paper “The need to increase support for healthy ageing and longevity research in the EU by establishing a Coordination and Support Programme on Healthy Ageing and Longevity” that has been co-authored by over 80 leading researchers and experts on aging, representing over 100 leading organizations in the aging field (national and international professional associations, research institutes and research foundations) from 28 Horizon Europe member and associated countries. We are proud that among them, Vetek was one of the initiating and leading organizations. The paper is available in open access:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2026.112187
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Open in new tab With a considerable input from this position paper, there was recently established the International Parliamentary Cooperation Initiative for Healthy Ageing and Longevity, that will advance policies in support of healthy ageing and longevity, primarily in the EU, but also wider, including support for research, development, education and application for healthy longevity.
We will continue our advocacy for increasing the support and coordination for the vital field of aging research.
Yet, even now, several funding possibilities for aging research or research related to aging are available in the EU. Below are some examples. We will update on those possibilities, as well as about our advocacy efforts. Thank you for your support!
- Horizon Europe – Cluster 1 Health
Clinical trials for advancing innovative interventions for neurodegenerative diseases
Submission in April 2027
Details are in the links and the linked document (wp-4, p. 121)
wp-4-health_horizon-2026-2027_en
- EU Innovative Health Initiative – IHI. Submission in October 2026
Decode the Immuno-science of age-related mediated diseases
- EIC – EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL
Pathfinder Challenges – Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
The submission starts on July 28 and continues until October 28.
https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder/eic-pathfinder-challenges-2026_en
Challenge_20Guide_Healthy_20Ageing
- HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-STAYHLTH-01: Addressing disabilities through the life course to support independent living and inclusion
Opens February 10 through April 23, 2027
To be updated.