SPARK 2026 – Call for Proposals: Strengthening Collaborative Research for Early Career Scientists Across the Pasteur Network

We’re delighted to share the new SPARK 2026 call for scientific incentive grants, exclusively for the Pasteur Network community!

🔍 Objectives

  • to foster a cohesive community of early‑career scientists within the Pasteur Network
  • to reinforce relationships and promote sustainable, equitable collaboration across the network
  • to support innovative, interdisciplinary research aligned with the Strategic Plan Pasteur 2030 and the scientific pillars of the Pasteur Network
  • to maximize research impact, training, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities

💡 Project Focus

Projects should catalyze innovation by encouraging exploratory and interdisciplinary research.
They must clearly justify their alignment with Pasteur 2030 (SPARK‑IPP) and/or the Pasteur Network scientific pillars(SPARK‑PN).
Both fundamental and applied research are eligible within SPARK‑PN when addressing relevant public‑health challenges.

⚙️ Program Structure

SPARK 2026 is organized as a single call with two complementary tracks, both feeding into one unified SPARK community:

SPARK‑PN (Pasteur Network Track)

Open to early‑career scientists from all Pasteur Network members, supporting collaborations entirely within the network.

SPARK‑IPP (Institut Pasteur Paris – Pasteur Network Track)

Supports collaborations between Institut Pasteur (Paris) and institutes listed in Annex 1 (guidelines), with a strong focus on capacity strengthening, sustainability, and long‑term partnerships, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income settings.

📅 Key Details

  • Duration: 24 months
  • Budget: €75,000 – €100,000 per project (no overheads)
  • Eligible costs: travel, consumables, reagents, subcontracting (≤ €10,000), small equipment (≤ €3,000)
  • Submission deadline: 20 May 2026 at 13:00 (Paris time)
  • Start date: January 2027
  • Coordinators & team leaders: early‑career scientists from Pasteur Network institutes
  • Consortium: 2–3 teams from different Pasteur Network members
    • SPARK‑IPP requires: IP Paris + 1 institute from Annex 1

All awardees will engage in regular online WIP meetings and one annual SPARK meeting.

🌍 What We Aim to Strengthen in 2026

This new edition emphasizes:

  • innovative, disruptive, and interdisciplinary research
  • strong network‑based partnerships, especially in LMIC institutes
  • projects leveraging advanced technologies
  • sustainability, talent development, entrepreneurship, societal engagement
  • equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Pasteur Network

📘 More Information

All information about the above-mentioned call can be found on the SPARK Guidelines

2026 SPARK GuidelinesDownload

For more information, contact: spark@pasteur.fr

Fifth Implementation Report highlights some progress, but warns that fragile systems, uneven investment and pipeline stagnation threaten the world’s ability to respond to another pandemic within 100 days

Key points:

  • The Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission (100DM) finds that the 100-day target is not yet achievable in many areas, with significant gaps persisting across diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and the systems required to deliver them rapidly and equitably.
  • The 100DM Scorecard 3.0 highlights continued pressure on global R&D pipelines, declining investment in pandemic countermeasures, and heavy reliance on a small number of funders.
  • Major reductions in global health and research budgets in 2025 have exposed structural vulnerabilities, disrupted development pipelines, and weakened preparedness.
  • A series of outbreaks in 2025, including mpox, H5N1, Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya and measles, demonstrated persistent weaknesses in early detection, coordination and access.
  • The report identifies 2026 as a decisive year as France begins its G7 presidency, calling for coordinated action to operationalise therapeutics development, close diagnostics gaps, sustain vaccine investment, and secure the future of preparedness monitoring.
  • Global experts are convening today in Paris to discuss the report’s findings. Join the event virtually via our Zoom livestream.

Paris, France, 27 January 2026 – The International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) today launches the Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission, warning that global pandemic readiness is becoming increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk.

The report is being launched at an international event at PariSanté Campus in Paris, hosted in partnership with the French National Research Agency for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE/Inserm) and the Pasteur Network, and livestreamed to a global audience.

The 100 Days Mission aims to ensure that safe, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines (DTVs) can be developed, approved and made available for scale-up within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified. The Fifth Implementation Report assesses global progress toward this ambition during a year of major political, financial, and epidemiological change.

In 2025, the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement marked a significant step forward, establishing the first global framework for equitable preparedness and response. However, the report finds that implementation now represents the decisive test. At the same time, sharp contractions in global health and R&D funding, including reduced commitments from major donors and the closure of several large programmes, have disrupted pipelines and revealed how dependent the preparedness ecosystem remains on a narrow funding base.

The 100DM Scorecard 3.0, developed in collaboration with Impact Global Health, shows that overall investment in pandemic countermeasure R&D continued to decline through FY2024, with the steepest impacts seen in therapeutics. Pipelines across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines remain uneven and clustered in early stages, with limited progression into mid-stage and late-stage development. Progress on enabling systems, including regulatory preparedness, clinical trial readiness, data-sharing frameworks and manufacturing coordination, remains slow.

A succession of outbreaks in 2025 reinforced these findings. Mpox remains a continental health emergency in Africa, H5N1 has demonstrated zoonotic spillover risk, and outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever and Chikungunya have placed renewed pressure on public health systems. These events highlighted persistent challenges in early detection, coordination and equitable access to countermeasures.

For the first time, and in response to calls for more detailed analysis from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the 100DM Scorecard includes a ‘deep dive’ assessment of pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) capacity in Africa. This new analysis evaluates the continent’s capabilities in clinical trials, laboratory systems, regulatory frameworks and manufacturing, providing a clearer picture of the regional strengths needed to support the 100 Days Mission.

Despite the significant pressures highlighted, the report also identifies areas of meaningful progress. Advances in platform technologies, including mRNA, monoclonal antibodies and artificial intelligence, continue to offer opportunities to accelerate development. Regional capacity has expanded, particularly in Africa, with growing regulatory maturity and manufacturing capability. Rwanda’s integration of the 100 Days Mission framework and Scorecard into national preparedness planning is highlighted as an example of how the mission can be operationalised at country level.

With the mandate of IPPS concluding in 2027, the report identifies four priority action areas for 2026:

  • Operationalising the Therapeutics Development Coalition to address persistent gaps in antiviral R&D.
  • Enhancing coordination across the diagnostics ecosystem and implementing recommendations from the Global Diagnostics Gap Assessment.
  • Sustaining vaccine investment and strengthening alignment across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
  • Agreeing a sustainable mechanism for pandemic preparedness monitoring, including a long-term path for the 100 Days Mission Scorecard beyond the IPPS mandate.

The Paris launch comes at a critical political moment, as France assumes the G7 presidency, and will host a major summit on One Health in April, and the international community prepares for the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September.

Dr Mona Nemer, Chair of the IPPS Steering Group and Chief Science Adviser of Canada, said: “The science needed to respond faster to pandemics continues to advance, but this report makes clear that progress in applying these advances to deliverig effective tools is insufficient. Today, despite the landmark WHO Pandemic Agreement, the world remains vulnerable to funding shocks, uncoordinated R&D efforts and fragile development pipelines – particularly for therapeutics.

The 100 Days Mission was designed to move us from panic to preparedness. Achieving it will require sustained investment, stronger integration across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, and the political resolve to translate global commitments into operational readiness. The coming year is decisive: without action now, the opportunity to build a faster, fairer and more resilient response to future pandemics will narrow further.”

IPPS warns that 2026 represents a narrowing window to convert ambition into durable, operational systems capable of delivering faster, fairer and more coordinated responses to future pandemic threats.

“With IPPS concluding in 2027, France assuming the G7 presidency, and the UN High-Level Meeting ahead, 2026 represents our opportunity to translate frameworks into functioning systems. The Pasteur Network stands ready to support this work through our collaborative ethos, regional presence, and shared commitment to global health solidarity.”

Dr Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of Pasteur Network

About the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS):

IPPS is an independent entity formed to catalyse scientific exchange and facilitate multidisciplinary engagement in support of the 100 Days Mission and accelerated DTV development. The Secretariat seeks to empower the community of implementation partners to maintain ambition, continuity, and accountability towards the achievement of the 100 Days Mission. IPPS is a time-limited entity due to complete its work in 2027.

About the 100 Days Mission:

Launched in 2021, the 100 Days Mission seeks to minimize the impact of pandemics by ensuring that safe and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines are ready for global deployment within 100 days of the identification of a pandemic threat. The implementation of the initiative is led by the IPPS in collaboration with governments, academia, and international organisations.

The Pasteur Network is proud to announce its official membership in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), strengthening our commitment to global health security and outbreak response.

About GOARN

GOARN is WHO’s collaborative framework that rapidly mobilizes specialized expertise and resources during disease outbreaks of international concern. The network connects institutions worldwide to ensure coordinated, swift responses to health emergencies—from Ebola and cholera to novel coronaviruses. Learn more: https://goarn.who.int

A natural partnership

With 32 member institutes across 25 countries, the Pasteur Network has long been at the forefront of infectious disease research, laboratory diagnostics, and public health response. Many Pasteur Network members were already part of GOARN, and our official membership now opens new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and rapid mobilization of expertise.

What this membership brings

Our network-level membership enhances our ability to:

  • Deploy coordinated expertise rapidly during outbreaks
  • Share critical knowledge and resources across borders
  • Strengthen global epidemic preparedness and response capacity

This milestone reflects our ongoing collaboration with WHO, following our recent renewal as a WHO non-state actor for 2025-2027, and reinforces our role as a key partner in protecting global health.

Four young graduates from the Pasteur Network were honored at the Institut Pasteur’s PhD Graduation Ceremony on December 12th 2025. This celebration marked the end of a chapter for this new generation of researchers.

Since 2013, this annual event —organized by the Education Department of Institut Pasteur—has showcased the achievements of young researchers, marking its 13th edition in 2025. The ceremony featured a keynote address by Pr. Myriam Merad, Director of the Institute for Precision Immunology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Renowned for his groundbreaking work in the chemical biology of nucleic acids, Sir Shankar shared an inspiring message to young graduates encouraging them to pursue exploration over linear career pathways and take all the competencies learned during PhDs also outside of the laboratories.

Following his speech, Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network, formally introduced the PN graduates, emphasizing their contributions to a wide range of research fields. Each laureate also presented the highlights of their PhDs. Doctoral students from the Network had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of topics reinforcing the strength and reach of the Pasteur Network’s global research community.

Click on each name to learn more.

Thesis: Investigation of the role of microglia in remyelination and repair of the CNS, to enhance their beneficial function as new therapeutic strategies for Multiple Sclerosis

Athena Boutou studied Biology at the University of Athens and received an Erasmus+ scholarship to attend Université Paris Diderot in France (2017). She completed an international MSc in Neurosciences, graduating as valedictorian (2019), with her thesis conducted at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and the Netherlands Institute of Neurosciences. She recently completed her PhD in Neuroimmunology (2025) at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and the Medical School of Athens. Her research focuses on therapeutic strategies targeting microglia to enhance remyelination and CNS repair in demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases, with key findings published in Cell Reports (Boutou et al., 2024). She has received multiple awards in international conferences, including EMBO Microglia 2024, FENS 2024, the Hellenic Academy of Neuroimmunology 2024, the Hellenic Society of Neurosciences 2023, Glia 2023, and ESNI 2019. Athena values international networking, recently leading the organizing committee of the 8th Hellenic & Paris Pasteur Institute Young Scientists Conference 2025, fostering connections among young researchers across the Pasteur Network.

Thesis: Development of a technological platform for metagenomic surveillance of viruses circulating in mosquitoes

Luisa is a biomedical scientist with a BSc in Biomedicine from UFPE and both an MSc and a PhD in Biosciences and Biotechnology in Health from FIOCRUZ. Her academic trajectory focused on molecular biology, arbovirus surveillance, and vector–pathogen interactions, with experience ranging from Wolbachia detection to viromics and dengue virus molecular analyses. She designed and executed assays involving RT-qPCR, sequencing, genomic surveillance, and bioinformatic workflows, contributing to peer-reviewed publications and international collaborations. She currently works as a Researcher at FIOCRUZ, where she conduct experimental and analytical studies on dengue vaccine replication dynamics in mosquito and murine models. Her technical background includes training in genomic surveillance, data visualization in R, and public-health field methodologies, along with strong skills in scientific writing, data interpretation, and documentation according to institutional standards.

Thesis: Phenotypic and molecular characterization of multi-resistant enterobacteriaceae in fecal carriage among children residing in Bangui (Central African Republic)

Hugues Sanke-Waïgana obtained a PhD in Life, Health and Environmental Sciences at the Cheikh Anta Diop University Dakar, Senegal, on the theme: « Phenotypic and molecular characterization of multi-antibiotic-resistant enterobacteriaceae in fecal carriage among children residing in Bangui (Central African Republic) ». Thesis defended on July 30, 2025 with a very honourable mention with congratulations from the jury. The thesis work was carried out jointly at the Pole of Microbiology, at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar and the laboratory of medical and experimental bacteriology, at the Institut Pasteur in Bangui. He has been working in the laboratory of medical and experimental bacteriology at the Institut Pasteur in Bangui, Central African Republic since 2015. He participates in the steering of scientific projects, including the CHART project which evaluated enterobacterial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in neonatology in the pediatric complex of Bangui, the AFRIBIOTA 1 and 2 project which studied the development mechanisms of pediatric environmental enteropathy in children with moderate, severe and severe normonutritional malnutrition in Bangui and Antananarivo (Madagascar), the SARA project which carries out a surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Africa and the PRETERM project, which conducts a pragmatic study of therapies aimed at improving respiratory management of premature infants in Africa. Mr. Sanke-Waïgana actively participates in the writing of research projects and the publication of scientific works in international journals. He has strong expertise in the detection of genetic elements to antimicrobials, infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology and bacteriology.

Thesis: Multidisciplinary approaches for studying cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco: bioinformatics pipeline, development of predictive modeling and Artificial Intelligence-aided mobile diagnostic application.

Hasnaa Talimi is a computer scientist and bioinformatician who recently completed her PhD at the Institut Pasteur du Maroc (IPM) in collaboration with the National School of Applied Sciences of Tangier (ENSAT). Her research combines genomic analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand and control cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Morocco.
She optimized whole-genome sequencing pipelines to study Leishmania tropica genome instability and population diversity, developed machine-learning models to predict new CL cases over time, and co-created a deep-learning mobile application to support healthcare professionals in diagnosing CL, particularly in resource-limited settings.
She has also been involved in teaching and supervising Master’s students in their final projects, and she enjoys making complex concepts in AI and genomics accessible to multidisciplinary teams. Passionate about building bridges between wet-lab scientists, clinical teams, and data scientists, she aims to pursue a national and international career in which AI-based methods support research on infectious diseases and global health.

In line with the strategic pillars of the Pasteur Network and its commitment to strengthening Knowledge Communities, this year’s call for collaborative projects placed a strong emphasis on supporting youngresearchers—a priority reaffirmed at the recent Pasteur Network Annual Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. Reflecting this vision, the Pasteur Network (PN) and the Department for Scientific Programming and Incentive Actions (SPAIS) at the Institut Pasteur (Paris), are pleased to announce the results of the first edition of the SPARK – Seeded Partnerships for Advancing Research Knowledge program, dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientific leaders.

Among 18 proposals evaluated, 4 projects were selected for funding following a review by an ad hoc selection committee.

Selected Projects

  1. DIJER – Analyzing Defective Interfering Genomes of Japanese Encephalitis Virus and Their Effects on Virus Replication
    • Partners: Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (Coordinator), Institut Pasteur Paris, Institut Pasteur du Laos
  2. HAAPI – Haemophilus Africa-Asia-Pacific Initiative
    • Partners: Institut Pasteur Korea (Coordinator), Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Institut Pasteur Paris
  3. MAP-RES – Mapping Plasmodium species reservoirs: characterizing tissue sequestration and silent transmission in Cameroon and Cambodia
    • Partners: Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie (Coordinator), Institut Pasteur du Cambodge
  4. STAMD – Stabilized Antigens for Monoclonal antibody Discovery against SFTSV
    • Partners: Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (Coordinator), Centre Pasteur in Cameroon, Institut Pasteur Paris

Evaluation Criteria

  • Content and context: relevance of the research question, public health impact, alignment with strategic axes, contribution to scientific knowledge and local capacity, and novelty.
  • Approach and methodology: feasibility within the proposed timeframe and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Consortium: quality and relevance of partners, promotion of young scientists, new collaborations, and inclusive practices.
  • Budget: justification and proportionality to expected outcomes.

The selected projects will begin in early 2026 for a 2-year period.

Ceremony of the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting, on October 22, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Dr. Grégoire Davignon, molecular biologist at the Institut Pasteur of New Caledonia and associate researcher at the University of New Caledonia, receives the Talent Award. This distinction, funded since 2017 by the Institut Pasteur Paris, highlights young researchers from the Pasteur Network who have demonstrated strong scientific potential. For the second time, the award recognizes excellence in the Science & Communication category, honoring researchers who bridge the gap between research and society. 

A scientific commitment to global health 

Dr. Grégoire Davignon leads innovative research on leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic disease with increasing public health relevance, particularly in tropical regions. His work focuses on the gene regulation mechanisms of Leptospira interrogans biofilms, which play a crucial role in the bacterium’s ability to adapt and persist in the environment. 

Using New Caledonia—a territory where leptospirosis places a disproportionate burden on vulnerable populations—as a primary study area, Dr. Davignon’s research adopts a One Health approach, exploring the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. His findings are pivotal for better understanding the risks associated with leptospirosis and for designing prevention strategies tailored to tropical ecosystems. 

He has presented his work at prestigious international conferences in Los Angeles, Belgium, and Paris, positioning his research on the global stage and reinforcing the role of the Pasteur Network in addressing re-emerging infectious diseases. 

A voice for science, beyond the lab 

Beyond his scientific contributions, Dr. Davignon is deeply engaged in science communication and public outreach. As a semi-finalist in the French national competition “Ma Thèse en 180 secondes”, he delivered an accessible and engaging presentation of his research to a broad audience. His communication skills also earned him recognition at an international innovation hackathon in Australia, where he successfully pitched a project on algae-derived biomaterials. 

An advocate for making science accessible, Dr. Davignon actively participates in public events such as the Fête de la Science, and he regularly engages with both academic and non-academic audiences. He has represented New Caledonian youth in discussions with Pacific Islands Forum leaders and participated in high-level exchanges with policymakers, including a meeting with the French Overseas Minister. 

Supporting the next generation of scientists 

In addition to his scientific and communication achievements, Dr. Davignon has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and mentorship. As former President of the Doctoral Students’ Association of New Caledonia, he supported early-career researchers and helped foster a vibrant scientific community.  

Empowering science to speak to society 

In presenting the award, Odette Tomescu Hatto, Vice President of International Affairs at Institut Pasteur, emphasized: “he Talent Award today celebrates a scientist who embodies not only scientific excellence, but also the ability to translate his research into concrete action, accessible to all. Dr. Grégoire Davignon demonstrates that scientific communication is a powerful tool for shaping the future of public health” 

This 9th edition of the Talent Award continues to highlight the vital role of scientific communication in public health. Dr. Davignon’s career is a testament to the synergy between research and outreach—a dual commitment that brings science closer to the people it serves

The Pasteur Network Annual Meeting (PNAM) 2025, co-organized with the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, is set to take place from October 21–24 in the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This flagship event will convene leaders, researchers, and public health experts from across the Pasteur Network and beyond, offering a platform to address today’s most pressing global health challenges. Participants will engage in a rich programme of presentations, workshops, and discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and driving scientific innovation. With a focus on key topics such as epidemic preparedness, climate-sensitive diseases, and equitable health research, PNAM 2025 promises to advance solutions for global public health.

Event Focus

The meeting will address global health priorities through a dynamic program of plenary sessions, roundtables, and thematic discussions. Topics include the surveillance, immunity, and pathogenesis of arboviruses; respiratory and emerging viruses; bacteria, microbiota, and parasites; and the intersection of climate and health. The agenda also features sessions on vaccine manufacturing, community involvement in research, and gender equity in science.

A central focus of PNAM 2025 is the “40 Under 40” initiative, which highlights 40 emerging researchers under the age of 40 from across the Pasteur Network. These young scientists will lead six plenary sessions, showcasing their contributions to infectious disease research, public health innovation, and global collaboration.

These priorities align with the Pasteur Network’s strategic vision of reinforcing epidemic preparedness, fostering sustainable and inclusive research, and advancing knowledge sharing across its global community.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:00 PM (UTC+7) and will feature remarks from:

  • Lan Hong Dao – Minister of Health, Vietnam
  • Trung Nguyen – Director, Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Mario Moreira – President, Pasteur Network
  • Rebecca Grais – Executive Director, Pasteur Network
  • Yasmine Belkaid – Vice-President, Pasteur Network

The keynote address will be delivered by Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, award-winning WASH activist and Co-Founder of Awareness 360.

The opening ceremony will be available to stream live on the Pasteur Network YouTube channel.

40 Under 40 Initiative

PNAM 2025 will feature the “40 Under 40” program, celebrating 40 emerging researchers under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in scientific research and public health leadership. This initiative highlights the Pasteur Network’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of global health leaders. The program includes six plenary sessions covering:

  • Arboviruses
  • Community involvement in research and surveillance
  • Climate and health
  • Respiratory viruses
  • Enteroviruses and emerging viruses
  • Bacteria, microbiota, and parasites

Engagement and Strategic Discussions

Throughout the meeting, participants will engage in roundtables and parallel sessions focusing on strategic priorities:

  • Strengthening epidemic preparedness with attention to climate-sensitive diseases
  • Advancing research and innovation in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments
  • Building knowledge-sharing communities across the Network
  • Promoting equitable and sustainable collaborations in global health research

Additional highlights include:

  • A session on vaccine manufacturing in the Network
  • Roundtables such as “When I Was in Your Shoes” and “The Early Career Reality check”
  • A Women in Science panel

About the Pasteur Network

The Pasteur Network is an alliance of over 30 institutes that plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation, and public health. Its distinctive strength lies in its diversity and extensive geographic reach, spanning 25 countries across 5 continents, fostering a dynamic community of knowledge and expertise.

Recognized as a WHO non-state actor, members of the Pasteur Network are frequently embedded in local Ministries of Health. The Pasteur Network sustains a global infrastructure, including over 50 national and regional reference laboratories, multiple biosafety level 3 laboratories, and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers. (www.pasteur-network.org)

Press contact: Hichem Ben Hassine / news-pn@pasteur.fr

About the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City 

Founded in 1891, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most prominent public health institutions. Operating under the Ministry of Health, it provides epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and outbreak response across 9 southern Vietnam. The institute also leads research and training programs in microbiology, molecular biology, and public health, contributing to both national and international health efforts. (http://www.pasteurhcm.gov.vn/)

Press contact: Quang Duy Pham, khth@pasteurhcm.edu.vn

For more details about the event, consult the PNAM 2025 agenda :

Agenda

As part of the 2025 edition of Health: A Political Choice – The Future of Health in a Fractured World (released on October 6th), a flagship publication of the Global Governance Project, co-edited by the Global Health Centre (Geneva) and the Global Governance Program (Toronto), an article (pp. 70–71) is dedicated to “Science and Solidarity: A New Paradigm for Global Health” by Yasmine Belkaid, President of Institut Pasteur and Vice-President of the Pasteur Network, Mario Santos Moreira, President of the Pasteur Network and President Fiocruz, and Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network.

In their article, the authors argue that in a world fractured by crises and mistrust, science remains one of the few truly global connective threads. They emphasize that sustained, decentralized scientific collaboration is essential to achieving equity and preparedness in global health. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed both the immense power of scientific cooperation and the deep inequities in access to life-saving tools.

The authors call for a new paradigm—one that moves beyond selective solidarity toward shared responsibility, long-term investment, and inclusive governance. They highlight the Pasteur Network as a model of trust-based, multipolar collaboration that delivers public goods and strengthens resilience across borders.

The Pasteur Network exemplifies this vision. With over 30 member institutions across five continents—most located in the Global South—it fosters decentralized innovation and rapid responses to emerging health threats. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its members exchanged genomic data, protocols, and reagents in real time, often faster than through formal channels. These efforts were grounded in trust, scientific excellence, and long-standing partnerships.

The article concludes with a call to invest in the infrastructure of cooperation: networks, platforms, and inclusive governance mechanisms. The breakthroughs of the future, the authors argue, will not arise from isolated efforts but from organized collaboration grounded in equity and solidarity.

🔗 Read the full publication

The Pasteur Network announces the launch of PNLink, an exclusive digital platform designed to enhance collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing among its 32 member institutes worldwide.

PNLink provides members with an intuitive environment for a global interaction and coordination on priority health challenges such as epidemic preparedness, climate-sensitive diseases, vaccine development, and antimicrobial resistance.

This launch reflects the Network’s strategic pillar to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and global knowledge exchange.

“The launch of PNLink is a pivotal step forward in harnessing the power of collective intelligence within the Pasteur Network. This platform embodies our commitment to openness, inclusivity, and scientific excellence, enabling faster and more agile responses to global health threats,” Rebecca F. Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network.

For more information about the Pasteur Network and its initiatives, interested parties are invited to visit community.pasteur-network.org.

Unlock the network

PNLink is accessible exclusively to Pasteur Network members,
and totally free of charge.

Sign up now

The DURABLE annual meeting, held at the Institut Pasteur in Paris from February 19-21, 2025, brought together a collaborative network of research and public health institutions from across Europe. This network is dedicated to enhancing outbreak preparedness through a One Health approach. By focusing on pathogen detection, evolutionary analysis, and threat characterization, DURABLE aims to provide rapid, high-quality scientific insights to support the European Commission Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) in making informed decisions on cross-border health threats.

The Role of the Pasteur Network in DURABLE

The Pasteur Network (PN) plays a crucial role in the DURABLE project by enhancing capacity within the network through various training opportunities for its members. Here are some key initiatives led by the PN team:

  • Research Management during Outbreaks: The first school, launched in May 2024 in collaboration with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, resulted in the creation of a Research Management Community.
  • Metagenomics & NGS for Outbreak Response: Scheduled for July 7-11, 2025, at Institut Pasteur, this course will focus on pathogen detection, outbreak tracing, phylodynamics, and pathogen evolution.
  • Webinars & MOOCs: The PN team initiated a series of webinars and a MOOC on Research Management, starting with a session on in vitro & in vivo models in September 2024. More sessions are planned for the future.
  • Mid-term Fellowships: Launching in 2025, these fellowships will facilitate staff exchanges between DURABLE partner institutions, providing hands-on training opportunities.

The DURABLE network, with the support of the Pasteur Network, continues to strengthen Europe’s ability to respond to health emergencies, ensuring a well-prepared and resilient public health infrastructure.

Read more about the DURABLE project : https://durableproject.org/