Trials4Health: “Multi-country Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular, Autoimmune and Metabolic diseases”
FRRB is pleased to announce the release of the new ERA4Health Call (IICS 2026) aiming to reach an effective joint approach and generate knowledge and products (e.g. preventive guidelines, medical protocols) in the identified research areas as outlined in ERA4Health Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Proposals are expected to pursue these targets:
- Support relevant medical research including different clinical fields and intervention areas (prevention, diagnosis, treatment),
- Improve the utilisation of existing health technologies in clinical practice,
- Build capacity, in particular in conducting Investigator-initiated Clinical Studies (IICS) at European scale,
- Implement and advance the practice of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) across the breadth of the programme.
Proposals should consider the following points that apply according to the selected clinical trial design:
- The proposed study needs to be a pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial and/or a drug repurposing trial, designed as Phase III randomised interventional trial.
- In case of comparative effectiveness trials, these must compare the use of currently approved or existing healthcare interventions, used in clinical practice in Europe, either to each other or to the current standard of care.
- In case of comparative effectiveness trials, these must consider existing, approved healthcare interventions (see definition) which could include but would not be limited to diagnostic, screening, prevention and treatment interventions.
- In case of drug repurposing trials, the aim shall be to explore a new indication of an approved off-patent medication
- These interventions shall have high public relevance in at least one of these specific diseases or conditions (that are of equal importance):
- Cardiovascular diseases;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Autoimmune diseases;
All the projects must comply with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
For this Call, FRRB has allocated a total budget of Euro 1.500.000,00.
Maximum grant amount: €750,000 per project.
FRRB takes part to this Call as Funding Agency: entities beloging to the Regional Health System (ASST, IRCCS both private and public, AREU e ATS), as well as Universities and research centres located in the Lombardy region can apply for this funding scheme and receive the funding for their activities from FRRB.
More information on the official project page: Trials4Health: Multi-country Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular, Autoimmune and Metabolic diseases
Pre-eligibility
In order to apply for the funding scheme, applicants are required to populate a pre-eligibility form. The Pre-eligibility documents can be downloaded on this page, in the “Download documents” section.
The Pre-eligibility form must be uploaded on the FRRB platform (https://bandi.frrb.it/login), which will be available as of 9th December 2025.
FRRB provides applicants with a budget tool. This template is meant to be a supporting document for candidates’ internal use and it must not be considered as part of the 2026 call official documents.