As antimicrobial resistance reaches critical levels and only a limited number of new antimicrobial molecules enter the market, phage therapy is gaining renewed attention as a promising strategy to combat bacterial infections, either in combination with or as an alternative to conventional treatments.
Through this federative program, Inserm aims to support fundamental and translational research designed to accelerate the development of phage therapy and to improve patient access to safe, robust and effective therapeutic options. The program will promote multidisciplinary approaches involving microbiology, infectious diseases, bioengineering, bioprocessing, modeling, health technologies, social sciences and public health.
The program is co-led by two Inserm theme-based institutes: Health Technologies (TS) and Immunology, Inflammation, Infectiology and Microbiology (I3M). It will bring together a national scientific consortium structured around several work packages, with the ambition of developing innovative and transferable solutions for clinical use.
The call for proposals is open from July 10 to September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Paris time.
Work packages
Work package 1: Advancing biotechnology and bioproduction of bacteriophages for patient benefit
This work package aims to improve phage predictability, from rapid screening to broader host-range coverage of natural phages. It also focuses on the development of next-generation engineered phages through synthetic biology, as well as the optimization of upstream and downstream bioprocesses to produce safe, reproducible, GMP-compatible and cost-controlled phage preparations.
Work package 2: Driving therapeutic innovation through improved preclinical frameworks
This work package aims to develop experimental and computational methods to better evaluate phages and phage cocktails under clinically relevant conditions. It will address the rational design of robust phage cocktails, phage-bacteria-host interactions, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models, and predictive modeling approaches to guide therapeutic strategies.
Work package 3: Innovative monitoring of the societal impact of phage therapy
This work package focuses on societal issues related to the use of bacteriophages in human medicine. It will address safety and regulatory aspects, perception and acceptability by healthcare professionals and patients, economic models, and the integration of phage therapy into healthcare systems, within a One Health perspective.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Inserm strategic programs application platform: https://appels.programmesstrategiques.inserm.fr/ami-phagotherapie
Letters of intent must be written in English.
Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the call deadline to submit their application.
Calendar
- July 10, 2026: publication of the call for proposals and opening of the proposal submission website
- September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Paris time: deadline for electronic submission of letters of intent
- November 9, 2026: brainstorming seminar with the members of the consortium, in-person meeting in Paris
- November 9 – December 15, 2026: co-construction of the work packages and scientific program
- December 15, 2026: deadline for submission of the finalized scientific program
- January 28, 2027: kick-off in-person meeting in Paris
Contact
In case of scientific or technical questions, or if you have questions related to the electronic submission, you can contact us at: cebtenzzrf.fgengrtvdhrf@vafrez.se