ODESS e-Health Award 2026

The ODESS e-Health Award 2026 call is closed. Applications ran from 9 October to 7 November 2025, and the official page describes no call after the 2026 one. The call has run every year since 2016, so a 2027 call is plausible but not announced on the page.

The Global South e-Health Observatory (ODESS) is run by the Fondation Pierre Fabre. Each year it picks digital health projects in Africa and Asia that are already working in the field, and gives the winners an Observatory award with a year of financial and technical support. Projects serving people in India are in scope because Asia is covered, and the page sets no nationality limit on the applicant. The process includes field visits by the foundation to shortlisted projects, and the awards are presented in person at a conference in Lavaur, France.

What the program offers

Winning projects get an Observatory award with financial and technical support for one year. The foundation does not publish the amount, so do not plan your budget around a specific figure. Winners also get international visibility through the Fondation Pierre Fabre and its partners, and a place in a network of experts and actors working on health in developing countries. Since 2016, 49 award winners have been supported. The prizes are presented at the Observatory's annual conference at the foundation's headquarters in Lavaur, France; the 2026 timetable put the ceremony in October 2026. The page does not say whether winners must attend, so ask the organisers if that matters to you.

Who can apply

A project qualifies if it aims to improve access to quality healthcare and medicines for people in Africa and/or Asia, uses information and communication technologies, and is already implemented in the field, at least as a pilot. Ideas that have not yet reached real users are not what the call asks for. Former award winners from 2016 to 2023 were invited to apply again to keep developing their project.

For an Indian healthtech startup or NGO, this suits a team with a live pilot serving real patients or health workers, such as a telemedicine service, a supply-chain tool for medicines or a health worker training app. It does not suit a pre-launch concept.

How to apply

Application is online through the ODESS website. If your project is already registered, log in, update the project file and submit it for review. If not, create a user account, create a project file and submit it for review. In both cases, check that the status shows "pending". The project file can be written in French or English and should include at least one photo. Eligible projects then receive a second application form by email to complete and return. A candidate guide is available on the call page. A practical tip: prepare data on users reached, partners and funding sources before you start, because the criteria ask about them.

How applications are judged and what happens next

The 2026 timetable was: confirmation of registration on 14 November 2025, the second form sent from 18 December 2025 and due by 23 January 2026, contact with selected projects in early March 2026, field surveys in April and May 2026, winners announced in June 2026 and the award ceremony in October 2026. Projects are assessed on relevance (documented health problem, needs and links to public health strategies), approach (involving end users and stakeholders), coherence (roles, partnerships, governance and the leader's experience), innovation (technological, social or methodological), sustainability (varied funding and a business model) and compliance and risk management. The foundation's group of experts chooses the winners.

About the Fondation Pierre Fabre

The Fondation Pierre Fabre has been recognised as being of public utility since 1999. It works to give people in developing countries better access to medicines and quality care. Its focus areas include training of health professionals, sickle cell disease, healthcare access for vulnerable populations, e-health and dermatology. ODESS was created in 2016 and works with partners including AFD, Fondation de l'Avenir, AUF and AEHIN.

Things to check before you apply

• The amount of financial support is not published.
• Field visits and a ceremony in France are part of the timetable, so plan your team's availability.
• Dates change each year; read the new call page and candidate guide when it opens.
• The page does not say whether the support is a grant or involves equity. It describes it as an award with financial and technical support.