Prevention Research: Trends in Funding and Methods Across EU Biomedical Research Programmes

Abstract Background Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Many NCDs can be prevented or mitigated through lifestyle interventions, early diagnosis, and effective disease management. Despite the well-documented benefits of prevention, it remains a chronically underfunded area in both healthcare and biomedical research. This study investigates the extent to which EU Framework Programmes have supported prevention-focused biomedical research and explores associated methodological trends. Methods A retrospective analysis of biomedical research projects funded under FP7, H2020, and Horizon Europe using CORDIS was conducted. Projects were classified based on their focus on primary, secondary or tertiary prevention, biomedical research area and adopted methodological approaches (animal-based vs. human-centric). Results Only a small proportion of funded biomedical research projects addressed prevention: 4.4% in FP7, 4.5% in H2020, and 1.9% in Horizon Europe. Prevention was underrepresented in key public health domains, including age-related diseases, infectious diseases, and nutrition, with decreasing trends over time. Approximately 26% of prevention-related projects employed animal-based research methods. However, some areas-such as age-related diseases, personalized medicine, AMR, bone disorders, and respiratory diseases-showed increasing reliance on animal models in tertiary prevention research. Conclusions This study highlights a persistent funding gap in prevention-focused research. The increasing use of animal models in some prevention domains may hinder translational value. To enhance the impact of EU-funded research on public health, future programmes should prioritize investments in human-centric prevention research tailored to real-world human biology. Key messages • EU biomedical research funding has underprioritized prevention, with <4% of projects focused on preventive strategies across three funding cycles. • Targeted investments in human-centric prevention research can help maximize translational impact.