27 December – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: ANRS MIE at the front line

On 7 December 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic ̶   while the world was on the verge of facing a public health crisis   , the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 27 December as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

In doing so, it invited ‘all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, individuals and other relevant stakeholders to observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness annually in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, in order to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnership against epidemics.’

The birth of ANRS MIE

In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, ANRS was mandated to combat emerging infectious diseases. In 2021, ANRS became ANRS Emerging infectious diseases (ANRS MIE).

ANRS MIE plays a key role in addressing the devastating effects that infectious diseases and epidemics can have on everyone’s lives, in France, Europe and internationally. To this end, the agency is responsible for supporting, coordinating and funding research on infectious diseases.

In addition to being a key player in preparing responses to future infectious threats, it acts as a leading player, interinstitutional pilot and research accelerator when an epidemic occurs. As such, the agency triggers a dedicated levelled procedure in order to respond proportionately to health crises in France or anywhere else in the world.

An ambitious funding offer for MIE research

ANRS MIE offers various calls for proposals (AAP) tailored to infectious diseases, whether endemic, emerging or related to health crises.

These various sources of research funding include the PEPR MIE, the GRIPP1 and the BE READY call for projects.

The PEPR MIE call for proposals

As part of France 2030, ANRS MIE leads the scientific management and implementation of the Priority Research Programme and Equipment for Emerging Infectious Diseases (PEPR MIE). The PEPR MIE calls for proposals aim to support interdisciplinary projects in basic research, research for the development of countermeasures, as well as in public health and the humanities and social sciences, to effectively prevent and control emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Among the research projects supported since 2023, some focus on surveillance and detection (SISP&EAU), risk assessment for re-emerging infectious diseases (DEBS-Plague), preparedness and communication (TICKRISK), acceptability (ACME) and innovation (VORTEX and ANTIVIRESPIR).

The GRIPP1 call for proposals

The agency is a member of the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) alliance. In 2025, the network launched the first joint call for proposals GRIPP 1 (Global Research Improving Pandemic Preparedness), with the aim of supporting networks and clinical trial platforms ready to deal with epidemics, facilitating an agile and effective response in terms of clinical trials, and promoting an equitable research environment.

The BE READY call for proposals

In 2026, the European BE READY partnership, coordinated by ANRS MIE, will launch its first call for proposals to better prepare Europe for future pandemics. The theme of this joint transnational call is based on ‘advancing knowledge on host and pathogen dynamics to better combat emerging diseases.’ The BE READY call will support innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transnational research projects.