EPTRI has submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Single Basic Act for Joint Undertakings and the thematic priorities of the European Partnerships portfolio in Horizon Europe 2028-2034. The submission, dated 16 October 2026, calls for paediatric needs to be systematically integrated into the design of future partnerships.
The consultation will inform the Impact Assessment of the future Single Basic Act for Joint Undertakings and of any separate legal acts for Article 185 TFEU initiatives. It will also feed into the process of building the new partnerships portfolio under Horizon Europe 28-34.
Paediatric research: a cross-cutting priority
EPTRI’s main message is that future Treaty-based partnerships should respond to the needs of all population groups, including children and young people. It sets out three cross-cutting objectives:
- Systematic integration of paediatric considerations. The specific needs of children should be addressed throughout the research and innovation pathway. This includes supporting safe, effective and age-appropriate health solutions, and looking at areas where unmet needs remain and research may not respond to the characteristics of paediatric populations.
- Meaningful participation of children and young people. Engagement, empowerment and advocacy should be built into research and decision-making, in line with children’s rights and best interests.
- Clear monitoring of impact. Partnerships should show that their outcomes reach the populations they are meant to serve. This would ensure that Horizon Europe 28-34 investments lead to measurable improvements in health outcomes and health solutions.
Safeguards for areas with limited commercial incentives
EPTRI supports the push to raise private investment and to deliver and deploy innovative solutions. It also asks for safeguards so that areas of high paediatric need are not overlooked when commercial incentives are limited. Public-private collaboration should support the development of safe, effective and age-appropriate therapies, with children’s needs, rights and best interests central to research and innovation priorities.
Easier access for specialised fields
On accessibility, EPTRI stresses that organisations working in specialised and emerging fields, such as paediatric research, should not be disadvantaged by administrative or procedural barriers. It calls for streamlined processes, proportionate requirements and accessible entry points. It also asks for dedicated approaches that allow smaller organisations and representatives of children and young people to take part meaningfully.
Greater coherence across partnerships
EPTRI agrees that cross-fertilisation among partnerships should be a priority, for example through more agile programming. It also proposes greater collaboration where research priorities and health challenges overlap, including:
- joint activities, access to shared infrastructures and aligned funding calls;
- a systematic exchange of knowledge and expertise;
- stronger links between European and national research and innovation frameworks
Why a European, long-term approach matters
In its answers on the portfolio, EPTRI argues that paediatric research warrants specific consideration. The biological, developmental and therapeutic needs of children can differ significantly from those of adults. It sees European coordination as essential for building research capacity, reducing fragmentation and accelerating the translation of research results into clinical practice.
EPTRI also points to the added value of a Treaty-based approach. Long-term cooperation among academia and research organisations, public authorities, industry, healthcare professionals and patient representatives could connect research and clinical communities across countries. It would also support the uptake of evidence-based health solutions for children.