The acronym “PEPR” stands for “Programme et Équipements Prioritaire de Recherche” (Priority Research Program and Equipment).
This program, funded by the French government to support innovative academic research in France (France 2030 program), focuses on emerging or re-emerging zoonotic pathogens with pandemic potential and being a potential threat to Europe and French territories.
1st call: Global changes, human practices, and the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
The PEPR launched its first competitive research call in 2023 focused on “Global changes, human practices, and the emergence of zoonotic diseases”. Four projects were selected in 2024 and presented on September 30, 2024. They aim to explore the connections between human activities, global changes, and zoonotic disease emergence, focusing on three main areas:
- (1) the role of hosts, reservoirs, and vectors in pathogen dynamics and transmission;
- (2) the sociological, economic, and environmental factors at the human/animal/environment interface; and
- (3) the cascade effects of human activities and global changes on zoonotic emergence risks.
>First four PEPR projects selected
>More info
2nd call: Epidemiological surveillance of zoonoses and early warning systems.
A second call for projects was launched in April 2024, to enhance surveillance and early warning systems for zoonoses. Key focus areas include early detection of emerging zoonoses, engagement and collaboration among stakeholders, and improving dialogue between science, society, and public policies. Projects have been evaluated and granted projects will be announced soon.
>More info
3rd call: Strategy to reduce the risk of zoonoses emerging.
In September 2024, a third call was announced, inviting proposals to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease emergence. This call, closed on January 28, 2025, focuses on identifying risk and resilience factors for prevention strategies, co-developing and assessing zoonosis prevention strategies, and understanding sociocultural factors affecting prevention efficacy and acceptability. Projects are currently under evaluation.
>More info
The grant for this work package is 25 million euros.