The Novo Nordisk Foundation and Global Health EDCTP3 have launched a new partnership to support global health research and strengthen scientific collaboration between Africa and Europe.
The initiative will provide up to €18 million in funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to advance research focused on major health challenges, including respiratory infections, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases.
The partnership will support research priorities under Global Health EDCTP3’s 2026 and 2027 work programmes, including a 2026 funding call aimed at developing new prevention and treatment solutions for lower respiratory tract infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
A portion of the funding will focus on understanding the links between infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and other chronic illnesses. The collaboration also includes sponsorship support for the EDCTP Forum 2027, a major global health research event scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain.
The partnership comes as health systems across Africa face increasingly complex challenges. While infectious diseases remain a major concern, the continent is also experiencing a rapid rise in non-communicable diseases, placing additional pressure on healthcare systems and research institutions.
Global Health EDCTP3 Executive Director Michael Makanga said the collaboration demonstrates the importance of partnerships that combine resources while maintaining public leadership from African and European stakeholders.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing changing disease patterns and accelerating scientific innovation. The organisation said the partnership will help improve access to effective health solutions for communities most affected by global health challenges.
Global Health EDCTP3 is a public-private partnership supported by the European Union and more than 40 member countries. It funds clinical trials, strengthens research capacity, supports African researchers, and promotes locally driven health studies with global impact.
The new collaboration also aligns with the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s broader goal of expanding its contribution to human and planetary health, including support for research and innovation initiatives in Africa and Europe.
Both organisations view the agreement as an important step toward deeper cooperation in global health research, with future collaboration expected to build on current efforts and strengthen long-term scientific partnerships.
