The THCS Joint Call Secretariat is seeking experts for the evaluation of proposals submitted in the Joint Transnational Call 2026 "Access to Care".
The aim of the call is to fund research and innovation projects that, within an ecosystem approach, contribute to ensuring equitable access to and utilisation of health and care services. Through the funded research and innovation projects, policy and decision makers should gain the knowledge and tools necessary to implement the reallocation of resources as the health and care system undergoes a transition to meet new and ongoing challenges. The call involves more than 30 funding agencies with an indicative budget of over €35 million.
We are seeking experts with a strong background and proven experience in research and implementation related to the transformation of health and care systems to reduce inequalities. Ideal candidates will possess expertise in public health, health services research, and health policy evaluation, particularly focusing on addressing disparities stemming from socio-economic status, geographical location (e.g., medical deserts, rural/remote areas), and identity factors (racial, cultural, gender).
We require professionals proficient in ecosystem-based and interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare, including the development and testing of innovative models of care, integration of digital health solutions (e.g., digitally enabled care pathways), and research into health equity and literacy (including digital literacy).
Expertise in implementation science, case study development, policy analysis, and assessing scalability and transferability of interventions across different national or regional contexts is highly valued.
We are looking for experts who understand both individual and structural barriers to access and can critically analyze usage patterns (under-/overutilization) to propose sustainable, evidence-based solutions.
Role of the expert:
- The duty of the expert will concern the preparation of written reviews of submitted pre- and full proposals and participation in the online panel meetings in which proposals will be discussed.
- Each expert will be invited to review ± 10 projects. The written reviews will be performed online in the THCS portal.
- Join an online instructions meeting of 1,5 hour.
- Experts will be paid for their participation in the evaluation process (only if they have performed written reviews and attended the panel meetings).
Timeline of the JTC:
- 21 November 2025 – launch of the call
- 10 December 2025, 14:00-15:30 CET – information webinar about the Call, registration link: https://www.zonmw.nl/en/calendar/thcs-jtc-2026-information-webinar-applicants
- 02 February 2026 – deadline for submission of pre-proposals
- February 2025 – eligibility phase
- End of February 2026 – instructions meeting and start of pre-proposals evaluation*
- 14-16 April 2026 – PRP: peer review panel meeting (online)*
- 16-26 April – preparation of consensus reports*
- 30 June 2026 – deadline for submission of full-proposals
- July 2026 – eligibility phase
- Middle of July 2026 – start of full proposals evaluation
- 16-18 September 2026 – PRP: peer review panel meeting (online)*
- 18-27 September 2026 – preparation of final consensus reports*
- October 2025 – announcement of the call results
*stages of evaluators' work
In concrete terms, experts should to be available in the following periods:
- February - April 2026 for joining the instruction meeting, the evaluation of the pre-proposals, the PRP meeting and preparation of the consensus reports.
- July - September 2026 for the evaluation of the detailed applications, the PRP meeting and subsequently the preparation of the final consensus reports.
We encourage all interested individuals to apply via the form available at the link below.
The final selection of experts will be made based on criteria such as professional expertise and experience, the number and subject of submitted applications in the Call, geographical balance, gender balance and absence of conflict of interest. Experts will receive remuneration for their participation in the evaluation process. We anticipate that this will be EUR 250 for each of the three days of the PRP (provided that the expert has prepared written reviews and participated in the panel meeting).
Application form: THCS JTC2026 Access to Care – Fill out form.
Please note that we will be accepting applications until 8 January 2026.
Please contact THCS@ncbr.gov.pl for any further information.