Application Stages

30 January 2026

DREAM 4 Health Call for Proposals 2026 opens for submission of preliminary applications. 

Applicants submit a preliminary application for review and shortlisting, including Proposed Activities, Team Composition, Indicative Budget and Milestones, and Due Diligence Self-Declaration Form.

Deadline: 24 Mar 2026 

Applicants submit their preliminary applications through the SEA DREAM Application Portal containing proposed activities, team composition, indicative budget, and set milestones.  

May 2026

A high-level due diligence check and eligibility assessment are conducted for all submitted preliminary applications.

A review committee evaluates eligible applications based on the following criteria:
 

1. Alignment with thematic areas 
2. Alignment with SEA DREAM objectives 
3. Indicative budget and milestones 
4. Principal Investigator and team’s skill set and capabilities

 
After the review, applicants will receive feedback and an invitation to proceed to the next stage, if shortlisted 

Mid-May 2026

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Feedback on preliminary applications may be provided.

Deadline: 10 Jul 2026, 2pm ICT

Applicants submit a comprehensive full application through SEA DREAM’s Grant Management System (GMS), providing complete details on the proposed project.

Each full application should include:

1. Details of the Principal, Deputy-, and Co-Principal Investigators 
2. Information on the Administering and Co-Applying Organisations 
3. Description of the proposed activities, including training and development plans where relevant 
4. Overview of ethical considerations, covering human participants, animal studies, and data management plans as applicable 
5. Summary of the research culture and ecosystem 
6. Description of collaborations and partnerships 
7. Defined milestones and expected outputs 
8. A detailed budget with justification for the requested costs 
9. Updated Due Diligence – Self-Declaration Form reflecting any changes, including indication of the need for advanced funding (to be attached where required) 

Details on full application requirements will be updated prior to 30 January 2026. 

End of July 2026

The SEA DREAM team conducts a screening of all full applications to ensure completeness, eligibility, and adherence to submission requirements. A high-level due diligence check is also carried out if significant changes have been made since the preliminary application stage. 

July-Septemner 2026
 
Full applications are sent to subject-matter experts for peer review, where reviewers assess the scientific quality, technical soundness, and overall merit of the proposed activities. During this period, applicants wait for reviewer comments and feedback.
 
In parallel, the SEA DREAM team conducts a detailed assessment of the requested costs and their justifications to ensure compliance with established policies and funding limits. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information or clarification during this process and should be prepared to respond to inquiries related to budget details. 

Mid-October 2026
 
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a panel interview and evaluation session conducted by the Selection and Evaluation Interview Panel. The panel will score and rank applications based on the following criteria:
 

1. Generating Impactful Research 
2. Nurturing Leadership 
3. Fostering Regional Collaboration and Programme Governance  
4. Strengthening Research Ecosystems  
5. Qualifications and Operational Feasibility  

See how we will evaluate your proposal 

Invited applicants may receive an official invitation with details about the interview process. Key personnel, such as the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), may be asked to present. Guidance and tips on interview preparation will also be provided in advance. 
 

October-November 2026

The SEA DREAM internal team conducts detailed due diligence checks on the consortia recommended by the Selection and Evaluation Interview Panel. This process includes reviewing the financial and legal policies and practices of the lead applicant and partner organisations.
 
Due diligence may be carried out online or offline, either through a provided form or on a question-by-question basis. The process involves filling out required information, review, and recommendations based on findings.
 
SEA DREAM staff will contact applicants as part of this process and consolidate recommendations from the panel evaluation. The Steering Committee will make the final decision based on these evaluations and recommendations.

End of November 2026
 
Final award decisions are made by the SEA DREAM Steering Committee based on the recommendations from the Selection and Evaluation Interview Panel and consideration of SEA DREAM’s strategic priorities.
 
Successful applicants will receive an award letter, followed by agreement and/or contract signing to formalise the grant.