Joint call for proposals between ANRS MIE and DZIF on HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis Delta cure
The call will open on 26 October 2026 and applications may be submitted until 12 January 2027.
Key points
- The French National Research Agency for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) are launching a joint call for proposals to contribute to translational and preclinical research on cures for HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis Delta (HDV).
- Contributing to research on HIV and hepatitis cures is a common strategic priority.
- The total budget allocated to this joint call is €2 million. Up to four projects may be funded: two projects focused on HIV and two projects focused on viral hepatitis.
Why a joint call for proposals?
This call is part of a shared commitment to strengthening scientific collaborations between France and Germany, which have a long-standing tradition of scientific and academic cooperation. By bringing together ANRS MIE and DZIF around converging scientific priorities, it aims to create a Franco-German research dynamic and foster synergies between teams on the issue of cure, particularly in the field of HIV and hepatitis B and Delta. Projects submitted under this call for proposals must therefore involve at least one French research team and one German research team from a DZIF member institution or a DZIF-associated partner, acting as co-leading teams of the project.
Interview with Prof. Maura Dandri (DZIF) and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah (ANRS MIE):
- What is the history of collaboration between ANRS MIE and DZIF?
Prof. Maura Dandri and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah: The collaboration between ANRS MIE and DZIF is part of a long-standing relationship, formalized as early as 2014 through a first memorandum of understanding focused on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. In 2023, this partnership was renewed and expanded to cover a broader field of infectious diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and emerging infectious diseases.
This cooperation framework aims in particular to promote the joint identification of scientific priorities, the development of joint research programs, participation in scientific events and working groups, including promoting a joint training of the next generation of scientists in infection research, as well as information sharing and the dissemination of research results.
- Why was HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis Delta cure chosen for this joint call for proposals?
Prof. Maura Dandri and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah: The launch of this joint call for proposals targets a common strategic priority identified by both institutions: accelerating translational and preclinical research in the field of HIV and hepatitis B and Delta cure.
This initiative aims to support the development of therapeutic strategies, with the long-term perspective of contributing to the elimination of HIV and chronic viral hepatitis. Funding public academic research dedicated to HIV cure is of strategic importance in an international context marked by a profound reshaping of the funding landscape for research and global health. This call for proposals reflects the continued commitment of France and Germany to the fight against HIV and hepatitis.
- How were the scientific priorities of the call for proposals defined?
Prof. Maura Dandri and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah: The scientific priorities were, from the outset, the subject of a joint identification process between ANRS MIE and DZIF. A meeting of HIV and hepatitis experts was organized for this purpose, bringing together scientists from both countries. This meeting made it possible to identify the key scientific priorities in the field and to define funding orientations, taking into account scientific needs, opportunities for innovation, gaps identified in current research, as well as feasibility considerations.
Following these discussions, two priority areas were selected for the call for proposals. For HIV, the aim is to develop new tools and strategies to control viral reservoirs and achieve durable and broadly applicable remission of the infection. For hepatitis, the aim is to identify new therapeutic targets and antiviral molecules with a view to achieving a functional cure for HBV and HDV, in line with cure research, in order to propose new concepts and directions for prevention and treatment.
Within this framework, the call will support innovative translational and preclinical research, including in particular the development of new therapeutic strategies, immunomodulatory approaches targeting viral reservoirs and the use of relevant preclinical models. It will also encourage the use of clinical samples and data to identify new mechanisms of viral control or new therapeutic targets.
- What do you expect from this joint call for proposals? What are the prospects for this collaboration?
Prof. Maura Dandri and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah: Through this joint call for proposals, ANRS MIE and DZIF aim to strengthen scientific collaboration between French and German teams on HIV and hepatitis, by supporting the emergence of joint research projects. The objective is to pool the expertise and resources of both countries to accelerate progress on shared scientific priorities, in particular HIV remission and functional cure for HBV/HDV.
This initiative is part of a long-term collaborative perspective between the two agencies, with the aim of consolidating Franco-German scientific links in infectious diseases and, ultimately, paving the way for new joint collaborations.
About ANRS MIE
ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE), created on January 1, 2021, is an autonomous agency of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Its missions are to lead, evaluate, coordinate and fund research on HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including emerging respiratory infections such as Covid-19, viral hemorrhagic fevers and arboviruses.
The agency covers all areas of research: basic, clinical and public health research, as well as research in the humanities and social sciences. Its organization places particular emphasis on innovation and the strengthening of international partnerships. For more information, visit anrs.fr.
Application Documents for the ANRS MIE-DZIF Joint Call:
- Request for Applications
- Application Form
- Annex "Application guide—Apogée platform": Forthcoming
