Major Opportunity for Researchers: Water4All 2025 Joint Transnational Call on Water and Health Opens this September

A significant opportunity is emerging for researchers worldwide as funding agencies from 31 countries across Europe and beyond announce the fourth Water4All 2025 Joint Transnational Call (JTC) on “Water and Health.” The call, opening September 12, 2025, demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing crucial water-related health challenges through fostering international collaboration and encouraging innovative, cost-effective solutions. The initiative comes with substantial funding of approximately €23.8 million and explicitly invites research communities, including those from India and the European Union, to participate in this collaborative framework.

Key Details and Timeline

• Opening Date: September 12, 2025

• Pre-Proposal Deadline: November 13, 2025, 15:00 CET

• Full Proposal Deadline: April 13, 2026

• Duration: Funded projects may continue until the end of 2030

• Participating Countries: 31 countries across Europe and beyond (subject to confirmation)

• Funding: Approximate budget of €23.8 million, provided by various national and regional funding agencies, including those supporting participants from India

  
  

Thematic Focus and Research Priorities

Aligned with the Water4All Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, the call targets the nexus of water and human health. Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals addressing:

• Waterborne Contaminants & Health Risks: Investigating occurrence, behavior, interactions, and vulnerabilities related to contaminants impacting human health.

• Innovative Tools & Technologies for Water Quality Monitoring: Advancing cost-effective, accurate monitoring methods to enhance risk assessment and management.

• Water Treatment & Exposure Mitigation: Developing sustainable technologies for safe drinking water and sanitation.

• Governance, Socio-Economic Innovation & Policy Integration: Optimizing policy frameworks, socio economic models, and capacity-building for improved water-health outcomes.

The call also incorporates the “One Health” approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in water-related challenges.

Application and Eligibility

Proposals must involve at least three eligible partners from participating countries, with a consortium comprising a minimum of three countries, including at least two independent legal entities from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Consortia can have up to seven partners with allowance for one self-funded partner.

Special support is available for Early Career Researchers (ECR), where consortium coordinators must have earned their PhD within the last 10 years, promoting leadership development among emerging scientists.

Broader Impact

The Water4All call supports the implementation of strategic frameworks such as the European Green Deal, the EU Water Framework Directive, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It complements goals set at the second ministerial meeting of the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in February 2025, which emphasized scientific exchange and innovation.

This call presents an important platform for Indian MSMEs, startups, research institutions, and universities to collaborate with European counterparts, addressing challenges such as water pollution, access to safe drinking water, and public health resilience amid environmental changes.