EU mobilizes 10 million euros for research on the new coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission announced yesterday that it will grant 10 million euros ($11 million) from its research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, to support research into the new coronavirus disease.

It has launched an  emergency request for expressions of interest for research projects that will advance our understanding of the novel coronavirus epidemic and contribute to more efficient clinical management of patients infected with the virus, as well as improve public health preparedness and response.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: "We are working to mitigate the consequences of a potential larger spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the EU. Thanks to emergency research funding from Horizon 2020, we will know more about the disease. I am proud that following the progress made during the last years, our supercomputer centres stand ready to help researchers in their work to develop new treatment and vaccines. We will be able to protect the public better, and to deal more effectively with the current and any future outbreaks.”