Open EU Funding Opportunities
HALTON FOUNDATION GRANTS
Deadline: 1st of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
Halton Foundation provides grants for research focused on indoor air quality, thermal conditions, breathable particulates, and illnesses that may result from sub-standard indoor environmental quality. It is a charitable organization with the aim of improving indoor environmental quality.
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Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that research improvements in human wellbeing in indoor environments or develop solutions for enhanced indoor environmental quality.
· One-time grants which are single-year grants for a specific purpose
· Multi-year grants for no longer than three years; and
· Start-up program grants
Actions can take place in various countries worldwide.
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Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that research improvements in human wellbeing in indoor environments or develop solutions for enhanced indoor environmental quality.
Applications open for Travel Elevates Global Impact Grants
Deadline: 1st of September 2026
Budget: €Not available
The Travel Elevates Global Impact Grant Program is accepting applications for projects that strengthen communities through education, technology, and economic opportunity. The program focuses on early education and K–12 initiatives, school construction and renovation projects, educational equipment, materials, supplies and teacher training, technology equipment and development, technology training programs, small business and startup development in economically challenged travel destinations, women-owned business projects, and sustainability and equity initiatives that enhance travel destination regions.
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Travel Elevates is a non-operating private foundation that provides funding to eligible nonprofit organizations working to create meaningful impact through education and economic empowerment. Through its grant program, the foundation seeks to strengthen communities in destinations connected to the travel industry by supporting organizations that are actively implementing projects on the ground.
Organizations applying for support should demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to community development and create long-term benefits for local populations. Particular emphasis is placed on projects that promote sustainability, equity, and economic opportunities, especially those benefiting women entrepreneurs and disadvantaged communities.
By leveraging partnerships across the global travel industry, Travel Elevates aims to support initiatives that elevate people and strengthen destinations through targeted investments in education, technology, and economic empowerment.
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The grant program is designed for nonprofit organizations that are connected or affiliated with the travel sector and are committed to building sustainable communities. Funding is directed toward projects that improve educational opportunities, expand access to technology, and foster economic growth in underserved travel destinations.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH GRANTS
Deadline: 1st of September 2026
Budget: €200,000-300,000
BrightFocus provides research funds for U.S. domestic as well as international researchers pursuing pioneering research leading to greater understanding, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
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The ADR program offers two types of awards:
· Standard Awards: The standard award provides significant funding for researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data, but are often required to demonstrate additional, significant progress before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding agencies. Award Amount is $300,000.
· Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards: Postdoctoral fellowship awards are intended for young researchers in their final stages of mentored training. These awards fund projects in an established laboratory that will serve as the basis for the applicant’s own independent research career. Award Amount is $200,000.
BrightFocus supports U.S. domestic and international research proposals.
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Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degree received no more than four years before the time of application. For clinician scientists, this application should be submitted within two years after completion of their final clinical training. Exceptions to the above four-year and two-year eligibility period will be considered under unusual circumstances. Candidates must submit a written exception request to BrightFocus and obtain approval before applying.
THEMATIC CALL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS IN ECUADOR
Deadline: 1st of September 2026
Budget: €5,159,000
The overall objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen the role of civil society organizations as key actors in promoting human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law in Ecuador, while contributing to the reduction of social inequalities and the conservation of ecosystems within the framework of the “Global Gateway” investment agenda in the country.
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LOT 1 – Human Rights: The specific objective and priorities of LOT 1 are: Strengthening civil society organizations involved in human rights issues, as well as democracy activists and human rights defenders working on human rights and democracy issues in Ecuador.
LOT 2 – Civil Society: The specific objectives and priorities of LOT 2 are:
1. To prevent, mitigate, and eradicate violence, as well as economic and social inequalities, with the aim of creating an enabling environment for Global Gateway investments in Ecuador, while simultaneously strengthening ecosystem protection and sustainability and ensuring respect for social and environmental rights.
2. To strengthen the capacities of civil society to promote the building of a more just, equitable, and safe society, capable of supporting and actively participating in Global Gateway investment projects.
Actions must take place in Ecuador.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must: (1) be a legal person and (2) be non-profit-making and (3) be non-profit organizations (NGOs); and (4) be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
ERC PLUS GRANTS
Deadline: 2nd of September 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
The ERC Plus Grant supports outstanding Principal Investigators who address a major scientific challenge. Applications for ERC Plus Grants should be for projects that could not be carried out with a regular ERC grant.
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Applicants should explain how the proposed project aims go beyond those of a regular ERC project, for example, because they have a vision to transform their field or open a new field of research. Scholars at all career stages can apply for an ERC Plus Grant if they have an outstanding record of scientific achievement at the forefront of their field. Their intellectual leadership will be evaluated in comparison to peers at their own career stage.
It is expected that a researcher may be the Principal Investigator of only one ERC Plus Grant in their lifetime. Applicants should be aware that every year, only some 30 ERC Plus Grants can be awarded across all fields and all career stages, compared to approximately 1000 Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grants. This level of competitiveness should be taken into account when considering whether to submit an application.
Actions must take place in EU member states or Associated Country.
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The ERC actions are open to researchers of any nationality who intend to conduct their research activity in any EU Member State or Horizon Associated Country. Principal Investigators may be of any age and nationality and may reside in any country in the world at the time of the application. The host institution must engage and host the Principal Investigator for at least the duration of the project, as defined in the grant agreement
Neurotorium Clinical Education Grants within Psychiatry and Neurology
Deadline: 2nd of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Neurotorium Clinical Education Grants provides support to non-profit educational projects for healthcare professionals in psychiatry and neurology.
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The grants support non-profit educational projects for healthcare professionals that strengthen clinical competencies in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Projects must provide vocational or university-level education, use Neurotorium.org resources, have support from an established organization, and may run for up to three years.
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To apply, applicants must submit a project title and summary with the proposed start and end dates, a detailed project description, an explanation of the project's potential to improve clinical practice, information demonstrating the feasibility of the project, and details of how Neurotorium will be used within the project.
They must also include a tentative list of educators, the CV and publications of the applicant and any co-applicant, a detailed budget, and a letter of support from the host institution or another relevant institution. Applications without a letter of support will not be considered. If submitting a revised application, applicants should also explain how reviewer feedback has been addressed. They are requested to avoid or limit the use of photographs in the application.
CULTURAL HORIZONS: EUROPEAN LOCAL CULTURE
Deadline: 3rd of September 2026
Budget: €200,000
The ‘Cultural Horizons’ programme is designed to increase the access of Ukrainians, particularly displaced persons, to culture and cultural heritage, by supporting cultural and artistic projects developed through EU-Ukrainian partnerships. It aims to strengthen connections between the Ukrainian and EU cultural spheres and to explore mentorship as a tool for professional development.
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The programme aims to:
1) Strengthen connections between the Ukrainian and EU cultural sectors;
2) Explore and promote mentorship as a tool for the development of the culture sector;
3) Foster the professional development of Ukrainian artists and cultural actors.
This grant call, “European Local Culture,” supports local cultural projects and cultural ecosystems as part of the wider European cultural space. Its goal is to create new cultural products, rethink local heritage in a contemporary European context, preserve and promote regional cultural heritage, support cultural diversity and ethnic communities, and improve access to culture and heritage for all Ukrainians, including internally displaced persons. The call also seeks to strengthen the role of culture in community development and social cohesion.
Actions must take place in Ukraine and EU member states.
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Eligibility: partnerships between Ukrainian and EU-based organisations, individual entrepreneurs (with the Ukrainian partner acting as a lead applicant).
CENTRES OF VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Deadline: 3rd of September 2026
Budget: €8,000,000
This action supports the gradual establishment and development of international collaborative networks of Centres of Vocational Excellence.
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Vocational Excellence aim at achieving the following objectives:
to ensure high quality skills through flexible and learner-centred VET provisions that lead to quality employment and career-long opportunities, swiftly responding to the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy as well as to societal needs;
to support and act as drivers for local and regional development, innovation and social inclusion in the context of the green and digital transitions;
to contribute to upward convergence on VET excellence, to increase the quality of VET at system level in more and more countries;
to ensure that outputs and results are taken into use and have impact beyond the project partner organisations and beyond the project period.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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Any participating organisation established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme can be the applicant. This organisation applies on behalf of all participating organisations involved in the project.
CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTES FOR A NUTRITION PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA
Deadline: 3rd of September
Budget: €40,000,000
The Embassy of the Netherlands in Ethiopia (EKN) intends to establish funding for a new nutrition program under its Food and Nutrition Security portfolio for the years 2027-2031. For this purpose, the embassy is inviting consortia to submit a concept note.
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The Program is grounded in the recognition that addressing malnutrition in Ethiopia requires an integrated approach that addresses demand, supply, and enabling environment, including national evidence-generation capacity. The first component focuses on urban and peri-urban dietary transition and healthy food environments. The second component focuses on nutrition-sensitive rural food systems and resilience in vulnerable areas. The third component focuses on strengthening Ethiopia’s
nutrition science, research, and evidence-generation ecosystem which supports local, indigenous and forward-looking nutrition solutions.
Actions must take place in Ethiopia.
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Eligible entities are amongst others research institutions, universities, private sector actors, multilateral organization, non-
governmental organizations, thinktanks and specialized technical agencies may participate as consortium members.
Humanitarian Mine Action 2027–2029
Deadline: 4th of September
Budget: €9,000,000
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland is inviting eligible International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to apply for project-based funding supporting humanitarian mine action initiatives.
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The call supports humanitarian mine action projects contributing to stability, peace, security, and sustainable development through mine clearance, mine risk education, victim assistance, stockpile destruction, advocacy, and local capacity building. Funding is available for projects in Ukraine, Syria, Palestine, and for global humanitarian mine action initiatives. Priority will be given to demining projects in Ukraine and Syria, explosive ordnance risk education and victim assistance in Palestine, and global projects that strengthen mine action, victim assistance, or risk education.
The Ministry will distribute up to EUR 9 million for the 2027–2029 period, with a maximum of EUR 3 million available annually. The planned maximum allocations are EUR 6 million for Ukraine, EUR 1.5 million for Syria, EUR 1 million for Palestine, and EUR 500,000 for global humanitarian mine action. Grant agreements will cover the period from January 2027 to December 2029, and applicants must provide at least a 10% financial contribution to eligible project costs.
Applications will undergo an assessment of eligibility and minimum requirements before qualitative evaluation. Proposals will be assessed based on their relevance to Finland's Humanitarian Mine Action Concept, contribution to Finland's development and foreign policy objectives, results framework, partnership approach, organizational capacity, financial management, risk management, monitoring and evaluation systems, and experience in humanitarian mine action. The Ministry will also consider previous experience with applicants and available appropriations. The application process is expected to take approximately three months.
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Eligible applicants must be politically and administratively independent International Non-Governmental Organizations operating across multiple countries with a diversified international funding base. Applicants must meet the Ministry's minimum eligibility requirements, including legal registration, financial and organizational capacity, previous experience managing development cooperation grants, human rights and risk management policies, and the proposal requirements set out in the call. Applications must include the required supporting documents and be submitted in English through the online application portal.
Applications Open for SheConnects Digital Accelerator (India)
Deadline: 4th of September 2026
Budget: €500,000
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: India, founded by the Reliance Foundation and managed by the GSMA Foundation with support from the Gates Foundation, is inviting applications from eligible not-for-profit organisations to scale impactful digital solutions that empower women and girls across India.
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The Accelerator focuses on Digital Financial Inclusion, Health, Agriculture and Education, Livelihoods, Behaviour Change and Communication, Cyber Safety and Security, and the Innovative Incorporation of Technology and Tools.
The initiative aims to support proven, high-impact projects that enable women and girls to participate fully in the digital world, improving their lives and livelihoods. By fostering innovative partnerships and practical use cases, the programme seeks to strengthen evidence on effective approaches, encourage south-to-south learning, and contribute to building a more inclusive digital ecosystem in India.
Projects must focus on promoting digital adoption and use among women in India, demonstrate the capacity to deliver across target locations or through local partnerships, and show a clear commitment to gender equality and the inclusion of underserved communities.
Selected organisations may receive grant funding ranging from INR 85 lakhs to INR 4.2 crores for projects lasting 15 to 18 months. In addition to financial support, participants will benefit from bootcamps, learning exchange opportunities, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) technical assistance, access to knowledge and best practices on addressing the gender digital divide, and increased visibility through publications, events, and social media.
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Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organisations registered and operating in India.
Bridging the Cold Chain Gap Challenge for Last-Mile Vendors
Deadline: 4th of September 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Bridging the Cold Chain Gap Challenge invites organizations to develop and pilot innovative, scalable, and affordable cold chain solutions that reduce post-harvest food loss while improving the livelihoods of fruit and vegetable vendors across India.
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The challenge focuses on reducing post-harvest food loss, strengthening last-mile cold chain infrastructure, extending the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetables, reducing distress sales, increasing vendor incomes, supporting women and youth vendors, promoting sustainable value chains, improving food and nutrition security, protecting dignified livelihoods, and building a resilient, low-carbon agricultural ecosystem.
The initiative seeks solutions that provide accessible mobile cold chain units for last-mile fruit and vegetable vendors, including hawkers, pushcart sellers, and footpath traders who currently operate without cold storage. By addressing the lack of affordable cooling and preservation technologies, the challenge aims to help vendors reduce spoilage, minimize food waste, and prevent income losses caused by unsold produce.
India experiences significant post-harvest losses of fresh produce, with existing cold chain infrastructure largely serving aggregation centers and organized retail. This challenge is specifically designed to bridge the infrastructure gap faced by small street vendors who play an essential role in providing fresh fruits and vegetables to millions of households.
Selected pilot projects may receive grant funding of up to USD 450,000, with a 10% co-financing requirement. Participants will also have the opportunity to test and validate their solutions in a new market, collaborate with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and key local and international stakeholders, gain visibility among governments and financiers across Asia and the Pacific, and create measurable impact.
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Applications are open to for-profit entities, not-for-profit organizations, civil society organizations, research institutions, and government-owned enterprises that are legally and financially autonomous of the government in the implementation country. Individuals are not eligible to apply, and all team members must be at least 18 years of age.
Applications open for ALF in Motion Mobility Programme
Deadline: 5th of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
The ALF in Motion Mobility Programme has launched its applications to support civil society entities to carry out face-to-face intercultural dialogue initiatives with partners from the complementary shore of the Mediterranean.
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The programme supports four mobility modalities: Partnership, Action, Creativity, and Knowledge. Priority topics include the Pact for the Mediterranean pillars, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, coexistence and living together, inclusive dynamics, and challenging disinformation and misinformation.
Funding covers mobility-related expenses, including travel, accommodation, visa facilitation, and local costs. A 60% advance payment is available upon request with a 120 euro bank fee deduction, while the remaining amount is paid after approval of the final report and required proof of implementation.
Each host organisation may submit only one proposal per call, and activities that have already received ALF funding are not eligible. Before applying, the host organisation must identify the organisation or individual it wishes to host and obtain their agreement to participate.
Applications must be completed in English, French, or Arabic. The application form cannot be saved as a draft or edited after submission. If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent submission will be considered. Applications with answers that are fully generated by AI will not be considered.
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The programme is open to legal entities registered in one of the 43 Euro-Mediterranean Partnership countries. Each application must be submitted by a single host organisation inviting one representative from another organisation located on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean. For the Mobility for Creativity modality, individual artists who are not representing organisations are also eligible to be hosted. Activities must take place in the host organisation’s home country.
SMALL GRANTS SCHEME
Deadline: 7th of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
The EU-funded European Heritage Hub aims to empower heritage stakeholders from candidate and neighbouring countries of the European Union to become active protagonists of the wider European heritage movement, thereby enhancing the ever-closer relationship between these countries and the European Union. As part of this mission, the Hub is launching the second edition of its Small Grants Scheme, with support from the ALIPH Foundation.
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Objectives of the call:
· Building the capacity of civil society;
· Enhancing the key role of cultural heritage for the triple transformation (green, digital and social);
· Strengthening democracy, the rule of law and other fundamental rights and values;
· Building peace and stability, through enhancing intercultural and interreligious dialogue and reconciliation.
Actions must take place in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine.
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Civil society from 11 neighbouring countries of the European Union (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine) are eligible to apply.
Bridging the Cold Chain Gap Challenge for Last-Mile Vendors
Deadline: 8th of September 2026
Budget: €1,907,400
Applications are now open for the University Research Fellowship Programme to support outstanding early career scientists with the opportunity to build an independent research career and pursue innovative scientific research in the UK or Republic of Ireland
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The programme aims to help early career researchers build an independent research career at a UK university or research institution, gain the freedom, time, and long-term flexible support to pursue high-quality and innovative scientific research, and develop as research leaders through tailored professional development, networking, and engagement opportunities.
The University Research Fellowship provides funding for up to eight years, with years six to eight subject to satisfactory progress demonstrated through a mid-fellowship review at the start of year four. Applicants can request up to £1,907,400 over the fellowship period. The funding can contribute towards the award holder’s salary, indirect and estate costs, equipment, research expenses such as consumables and travel, research assistance salary and associated costs, staff costs including postdoctoral research assistants, PhD studentships and technical support, as well as relocation and visa costs for applicants and their dependants where justified.
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To be eligible, applicants must have between three and eight years of research experience since the award of their PhD, excluding eligible career breaks, by the application closing date. Their research must fall within the Royal Society’s remit of the natural sciences, including but not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Applicants can be of any nationality, and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply through the Global Talent Visa fast-track endorsement process.
The fellowship is not open to applicants who already lead a research group, hold an external award as a Principal Investigator, hold a tenure-track or permanent academic position (including a proleptic appointment) at a university or not-for-profit research organisation, or who currently hold or have previously held a nationally competitive research fellowship equivalent to a University Research Fellowship.
PEDAGOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FROM BES
Deadline: 8th of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
The grant will facilitate research informing teaching and learning practices which improve learners’ experience while promoting excellence in teaching. They aim to support members and the wider community involved in education to ensure that ecological education continues to be inspiring, innovative and relevant to learners.
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By funding research on education methods within ecology, they would like to develop evidence to inform teaching and learning practices that improve the student experience. Recognising and supporting educational research will also promote excellence in teaching and encourage those not currently involved in educational research to engage.
The projects awarded should aim to do one or more of the following:
· Provide evidence-based examples of innovative and effective practice in learning and teaching.
· Systematically review existing practices to produce evidence-informed recommendations.
· Explore emerging areas of education research to identify future needs/practices.
· Disseminate best practices in teaching and learning to other practitioners
Actions can take place in various countries worldwide.
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Applicants must have BES membership and can be from any level of teaching ecology, from early years to lifelong learning, within formal or informal educational settings. Industry professionals exploring new teaching ideas are also eligible. The grants are awarded to individuals, not organizations, and cannot be used for work forming part of a degree, masters, PhD, or fellowship. Applicants are responsible for obtaining all relevant permits and permissions.
SYNTHESIS GRANTS FROM BES
Deadline: 8th of September 2026
Budget: €100,000
Synthesis is a growing scientific research method where scientists garner new knowledge and insights from existing data, using a hypothesis and question-led approach. Synthesis outputs should help inform decision-making by various relevant stakeholders, such as policymakers, regulators and funding agencies.
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This grant aims to bring together diverse interdisciplinary groups of 8-15 individuals to focus on data analysis and synthesis while fostering collaboration and mentoring opportunities. Networks are encouraged across universities, research institutes, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industry and government departments, and groups should include a mix of career stages and backgrounds. They ask that working groups are not formed entirely of members from academic institutions.
Every effort should be made to ensure long-lasting connections and networks are established far beyond the project’s funded length. Examples of this include producing open synthesis datasets and synthesis publications.
Actions can take place in various countries worldwide.
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The main applicant must be a BES member, but this is not required for all group members. Groups should be diverse, including international participation and at least 30% of participants from the Global South, balanced by gender and ethnicity. Applicants are responsible for obtaining necessary permits and permissions, and only one grant per applicant per year is allowed, with a maximum of three grants in any five-year period.
PROMOTION OF THE CULTURE OF EQUALITY IN MOROCCO
Deadline: 8th of September 2026
Budget: €3,500,000
The general objective of this call for proposals is to contribute to the economic and social empowerment of women in Morocco by promoting a cultural and social environment conducive to their full development.
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The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:
· SO1 (LOT1) – Expose and reduce stereotypes, discrimination, and socio-cultural norms that limit the participation and empowerment of women and girls.
· SO2 (LOT2) – Promote the economic and social empowerment of women and girls, particularly those in vulnerable situations, through effective advocacy, strengthened public policies, and societal mobilization.
· SO3 (LOT3) – Make sports a driver for equality and inclusion in Morocco.
Actions can take place in Morocco.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must: (1) be a legal person and (2) be a specific type of organisation such as: non-governmental organization and (3) be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN AFRICA’S WATER AND SANITATION INVESTMENT PIPELINE
Deadline: 10th of September 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The African Water Facility (AWF), an initiative of the African Development Bank Group, is pleased to launch its 2026 Call for Proposals (CfP) under the framework of the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy. Through this CfP, AWF seeks to identify high-impact, investment-oriented projects and initiatives in the water and sanitation sectors across Africa that can accelerate access to finance, strengthen climate resilience, improve service delivery, and catalyse sustainable and inclusive development.
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The CfP forms part of AWF’s strategic effort to strengthen its pipeline of bankable operations and mobilise downstream investments in support of Africa’s water security and sanitation agenda.
The objective of the 2026 CfP is to identify high-impact projects fully aligned with the AWF 2026–2030 Strategy and capable of catalysing downstream investments and strengthening the enabling environment for sustainable water and sanitation financing.
Actions must take place in Africa.
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Eligible are Regional Member Countries, public institutions, utilities, basin organisations.
Transforming Whole-Farm Systems through Regenerative Agriculture in Extremadura
Deadline: 10th of September
Budget: €820,000
The EIT Food has launched its applications to support the transition of corn and tomato growers in Extremadura toward regenerative whole-farm agricultural systems that can deliver measurable environmental and agronomic impact at landscape scale.
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The initiative focuses on project management and coordination services, training and advisory services, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) services. The selected consortium or entity will support collaboration across landscape partners and suppliers, provide locally relevant agronomic training and technical assistance for regenerative practices across the corn–tomato rotation, and design and operate a robust MRV system to track environmental, agronomic, and socio-economic outcomes through standardized KPIs and a digital reporting platform.
The call seeks a single entity or a complete consortium capable of delivering all three work packages throughout the project period from October 2026 to October 2029. Under project management and coordination, the selected organisation will lead implementation activities, facilitate coordination among local actors and corporate partners, monitor progress against workplans and KPIs, support reporting aligned with EIT Food and corporate requirements, and provide strategic advisory support for transition approaches, incentive design, and engagement with local entities.
The total available funding for this co-funded initiative is €820,000 for the full project period, and the maximum funding available per application is €820,000. The award of the call is contingent upon the signing of the collaboration agreement between EIT Food and the corporate co-financing partners.
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To be eligible, each implementing participant must be a legally incorporated entity established for at least three years in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe eligible country and must provide a valid PIC number. Applications must be complete, submitted on time using the required template, and written entirely in English. The call is open to MRV providers, agronomic consultancies, training organisations, and related entities, including applicants that do not have an existing partnership agreement with EIT Food, with equal opportunity for all eligible participants.
Temporary Relocation Programme for At-Risk Artists and Cultural Actors
Deadline: 11th of September
Budget: €Not available
The Temporary Relocation Programme is designed to support artists and cultural actors at risk so they can continue their artistic and cultural work in a safer environment through cooperation with a host organisation.
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The programme focuses on supporting artists and cultural actors who are committed to an open society, freedom, peace, democracy, and the rejection of all forms of discrimination, and who face restrictions on their freedom or threats from state or non-state actors because of their work or other circumstances. Applications must be submitted jointly by the artist or cultural actor and a host organisation in Germany. The host organisation is expected to integrate the scholarship holder into its structures and support the continuation of their artistic or cultural activities in a safe environment.
The funding includes a monthly scholarship for the scholarship holder, financial resources for artistic and cultural work, individual support such as insurance, psychosocial support, language courses, training and networking activities, financial support for additional personnel directly related to the project, counselling by the Martin Roth-Initiative, further training on topics including security and psychosocial support, networking and exchange opportunities with other host organisations and scholarship holders, and support during the visa process. The scholarship visa does not automatically entitle scholarship holders to take up employment or self-employment in Germany.
Eligible applicants are artists and cultural actors who are demonstrably active in artistic or cultural fields and whose work has proven artistic, cultural, or social relevance. They must be committed to the programme’s values, face restrictions or threats because of their work or other circumstances, remain active in their country of origin, have left their country of origin only recently after 20 February 2026, or be unsafe in their current location, have no access to a safe abode through dual citizenship, permanent residency, or a national or humanitarian visa, and have sufficient knowledge of English or German.
All eligibility criteria must be met. Hobby artists and individuals engaged solely in private artistic activities are not eligible. Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as previous MRI scholarship recipients except Fast-Track recipients, are excluded from funding. Because of the current circumstances in Gaza, applications cannot be accepted from persons who are in Gaza at the time of application.
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Eligible host organisations include non-profit museums, theatres, festivals, cultural collectives, socially relevant organisations, and non-governmental organisations. The organisation must be a legal entity, such as a registered association or non-profit GmbH, must not pursue economic interests through the project, and must be able to provide documents required for a non-profit audit, including registration and financial records. They should have experience with public funding or be prepared to comply with the requirements of the Federal Budget Code and must be capable of organising and administering the residency and addressing digital and physical security issues.
Return on Investment for Internships, Apprenticeships, and Development Programs
Deadline: 14th of September
Budget: €250,000 per application
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is inviting proposals for the Return on Investment for Internships, Apprenticeships, and Development Programs (RFP 5414) to support research that helps water utilities evaluate and strengthen workforce development investments.
The project aims to quantify the return on investment of internships, apprenticeships, and development programs, assess their effectiveness in supporting critical and high-turnover roles, and develop a business case framework and decision-support tools for utilities.
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Proposed research should examine workforce development models, partnership structures, and ROI frameworks, include case studies from water utilities, evaluate workforce outcomes such as retention and internal advancement, and produce practical guidance for assessing and communicating the value of workforce development investments. Expected deliverables include a research report, literature review, guidance manual, and knowledge-sharing outputs such as webcasts or conference presentations, with additional deliverables such as journal articles, workshops, case studies, or technology tools encouraged where appropriate.
Applicants may request up to USD 250,000 in WRF funding. In addition, applicants must contribute resources equivalent to at least 33% of the requested project award through eligible cost sharing, applicant in-kind, or third-party in-kind contributions. The anticipated project duration is 24 months from the contract start date.
Proposals will be evaluated on their understanding of the problem and responsiveness to the RFP, technical and scientific merit, qualifications and management capability, communication plan and proposed deliverables, and budget and schedule. WRF encourages participation from water utilities and other organizations through direct involvement or in-kind contributions. Projects must adhere to the agreed schedule, and under WRF's No-Cost Extension Policy, the project period cannot be extended by more than nine months beyond the original contracted schedule.
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Proposals are open to both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, consultants, and other for-profit organizations. Researchers who are late on ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to participate. Proposals must follow WRF's Guidelines for Research Priority Program Proposals, including all technical, financial, administrative, and technology deliverable requirements where applicable, and must be submitted exclusively through the WRF Portal.
Developing Camera-Based AI Algorithms to Monitor Water Quality at Water and Wastewater Utilities
Deadline: 14th of September
Budget: €300,000 per application
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is inviting proposals for Developing Camera-Based AI Algorithms to Monitor Water Quality at Water and Wastewater Utilities (RFP 5417) to support research on scalable and cost-effective AI-powered monitoring systems for water utilities.
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The project aims to develop and validate a practical framework for deploying camera-based AI systems for operational monitoring in drinking water and wastewater utilities. The research will identify high-value monitoring applications, evaluate camera technologies and technical requirements, develop and test computer vision AI algorithms, validate camera observations against conventional operational measurements, assess the transferability of AI models across utilities, and develop implementation pathways for practical adoption. Proposed research should include literature and technology reviews, multi-site field demonstrations, algorithm development and performance evaluation, and a utility-focused implementation framework. Expected deliverables include a research report, utility guidance framework, open-access publication or knowledge-sharing activities, and technology deliverables such as open-source data, AI algorithms, websites, or interactive tools.
Applicants may request up to USD 300,000 in WRF funding and must contribute additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the requested project award through eligible cost sharing or in-kind contributions. The anticipated project duration is 24 to 30 months from the contract start date.
Proposals will be evaluated based on their understanding of the problem and responsiveness to the RFP, technical and scientific merit, qualifications and management capability, communication plan and proposed deliverables, and budget and schedule. WRF encourages participation from water utilities and other organizations through direct involvement or in-kind contributions. Projects must follow the agreed schedule, and under WRF's No-Cost Extension Policy, the project period cannot be extended by more than nine months beyond the original contracted schedule.
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Proposals are open to both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, consultants, and other for-profit organizations. Researchers who are late on ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to participate. Proposals must comply with WRF's Guidelines for Research Priority Program Proposals and the Technology Deliverables Guidance where applicable, and must be submitted exclusively through the WRF Portal.
STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE
Deadline: 15th of September
Budget: €150,000
The Stockholm Water Prize recognizes women, men and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources. Since its inception in 1991, the prize has been selected by the Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee from a pool of professionals nominated by their peers.
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They welcome nominations from all parts of the world and strongly encourage the nomination of female candidates. Stockholm Water Prize Laureates have also represented a broad range of water-related activities, professions and scientific disciplines from all over the world.
Anyone can submit a nomination for the Stockholm Water Prize, however self-nominations or nominations by persons with direct professional or family ties to the candidate are not permitted. The initial nomination begins by submitting the name of the nominee along with a brief (500 words max.) statement of accomplishment. The Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee carefully reviews all submissions and creates a short list of candidates. The nominators of short listed candidates are requested to provide further supporting information regarding their nominee.
Actions can take place across the globe.
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Nominations are welcome from all parts of the world and strongly encourage the nomination of female candidates. A candidate for the Stockholm Water Prize shall have attained outstanding achievements of lasting significance for sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources. The results achieved by the candidate shall have proven impact or great potential and provide stimulation for further important contributions to the conservation and protection of water resources and to improved health and well-being of the planet’s inhabitants and ecosystems.
GRANTS FROM WAVESTONE FOUNDATION
Deadline: 15th of September
Budget: €100,000
The Wavestone Foundation, formerly the Solucom Foundation, was founded in 2009 by Michel Dancoisne and Pascal Imbert with a view to harnessing the success of the consultancy firm they founded in 1990 for the benefit of a humanitarian cause. They decided to focus the Foundation’s work on disadvantaged children, a cause they feel strongly about despite being far removed from their business field. The mission of the Foundation is to work in France and internationally on supporting and developing initiatives to help disadvantaged children, particularly those in situations of poverty or extreme deprivation.
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The 2026/27 Call for Projects aims to support initiatives and development programmes designed to sustainably improve the health and well-being of children displaced as a result of political crises, conflicts, and climate- or environmentally-related shocks. Particular attention will be given to children aged 0-11 years (migrant, refugee or internally displaced children) and their families. This age group has been identified as a key target because it represents a crucial phase of child development, during which disruptions caused by displacement can have significant consequences on education, health, safety and identity formation.
Projects must combat severe child malnutrition, particularly in fragile countries (mainly Africa, America, Asia).
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Applicants must be based in France or in a country where Wavestone has an office: Belgium, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Call for Proposals to Strengthen Civil Society Engagement (India)
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €9,976,000
The European Commission has launched a Call for Proposals to strengthen the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in promoting good governance, sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive economic growth across India.
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The programme aims to strengthen local civil society organisations as key contributors to governance and development in India. It supports organisations working to improve policy dialogue, promote inclusive development, and contribute to sustainable economic and environmental outcomes.
The call is divided into two funding lots. Lot 1 focuses on strengthening CSO engagement in EU-India policy dialogue, inclusive governance, sustainable development, and Global Gateway initiatives across India. Lot 2 specifically supports civil society organisations working in the North Eastern Region to promote green economic development, climate resilience, participatory governance, and sustainable value chains.
Projects are expected to follow key principles such as gender equality, women's empowerment, human rights-based and inclusive approaches, results-based monitoring, multi-stakeholder partnerships, innovation, scalability, and the efficient use of resources. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that create long-term impact while strengthening local capacities and community participation.
The total indicative budget available under the call is EUR 9,976,000, with grants ranging from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 2,000,000.
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Eligible applicants include non-profit civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations established in India, European Union Member States, or European Economic Area countries, subject to the eligibility requirements outlined in the call
Call for Proposals: Country-led Projects Initiatives (9th Edition)
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €163,000,000
The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) has opened its 9th Call for Proposals to support country-led initiatives that strengthen food security and rural livelihoods.
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The Call focuses on food system outcomes including increased agricultural productivity, improved farm-to-market linkages, reduced risk and vulnerability, improved rural livelihoods and entrepreneurship, and improved institutions. It also prioritizes crosscutting outcomes such as improved climate resilience, empowered women and girls, and improved nutrition, with proposals required to address at least two of these three priorities. Additional emphasis is placed on innovative and integrated solutions, co-financing and collaboration, private sector engagement, and linkages with other GAFSP financing tracks.
The Ninth Call for Proposals comes at a critical time for global food security as conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, and rising food and fertilizer costs continue to increase hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Development financing pressures have further highlighted the need for sustainable investments in agriculture and food systems.
Through this Call, GAFSP will provide approximately US$163 million in grant financing for high-impact and scalable investments designed to strengthen agriculture and food systems over the medium and long term. The initiative aligns with the GAFSP Strategic Plan (2025–2030), which promotes sustainable and inclusive food systems while encouraging stronger collaboration between public and private actors.
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The Call supports projects that incorporate context-specific and proven innovations while strategically integrating crosscutting outcomes and thematic areas such as water, biodiversity, and nature into project design. It also encourages applicants to secure co-financing through both cash and in-kind contributions and to collaborate with aligned global initiatives during proposal development.
Private sector participation is another important aspect of the Call, with proposals expected to demonstrate credible pathways for sustained private sector investment beyond the project lifecycle. In addition, applicants are encouraged to explore coordination opportunities and synergies with other GAFSP-financed projects and financing tracks within their countries.
European Nuclear Skills Initiative
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €1,600,000
The European Commission is offering to strengthen the nuclear workforce across Europe by advancing coordinated education, training, and skills development through a dedicated Nuclear Skills Academy.
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Focus Areas, establishment of a European Nuclear Skills Academy, standardised curricula across vocational and academic levels, recognition of learning outcomes across Member States, targeted training programmes for Small Modular Reactors and advanced reactors, strengthening regulatory expertise for safety assessment and licensing, mobility schemes for critical nuclear professions, addressing nuclear skills shortages, development of nuclear workforce across all sub-sectors, alignment with EU nuclear policy frameworks, talent attraction, development and retention, support for future Net Zero Industry Academy, coordinated EU-wide nuclear skills strategy, capacity building in nuclear construction, engineering, operations and regulation.
Funding for the initiative is approximately €1,600,000, supporting the development and implementation of actions that contribute to the establishment of the European Nuclear Skills Academy and related activities.
The initiative is designed to complement and expand ongoing efforts in the nuclear skills domain by creating a unified and strategic approach to education and training across the European Union. A key component is the design and implementation of a European Nuclear Skills Academy that aligns training standards and promotes consistency in qualifications across different education levels.
The programme emphasizes the importance of launching targeted training programmes that build on existing initiatives, particularly in critical and emerging areas such as Small Modular Reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. It also seeks to strengthen the capabilities of national regulatory authorities by developing specialised expertise required for independent safety assessments and efficient licensing processes.
Another important aspect of the initiative is enhancing mobility opportunities for professionals in critical nuclear roles. By complementing existing mobility schemes, the programme aims to create tailored actions that address the specific needs of both industry and regulatory bodies, while generating best practices for future large-scale initiatives.
The broader scope of the initiative reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals across the nuclear sector, including construction workers, technicians, engineers, scientists, operators, and regulatory staff. It responds to the urgent need for coordinated action at the European level to address workforce shortages and ensure the safe and efficient implementation of nuclear energy plans.
The programme also aligns with wider European policy priorities, supporting long-term goals related to nuclear energy development, safety, and sustainability. It is intended to serve as a foundational step toward future initiatives, including potential contributions to a Net Zero Industry Academy and other EU-wide skills strategies.
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Eligibility is open to any legal entity, including individuals, organisations, and institutions from EU Member States, non-associated third countries, and international organisations, provided they meet the conditions set out under the Horizon Europe framework and related regulations.
Digital Inclusion Fund
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €150,000-3,000,000
The Digital Inclusion Fund is seeking applications to support companies that are expanding digital payments, broadband access and inclusive financial services for unbanked populations.
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The program focuses on advancing digital payments, expanding broadband access, strengthening inclusive financial services, and increasing financial inclusion for underserved and unbanked communities.
The funding can be used for working capital, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity building, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment procurement, technology acquisition, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.
Through this support, eligible companies can strengthen their operations, test and scale innovative solutions, improve access to essential digital and financial services, and expand their impact among underserved populations.
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Technology companies with a clear inclusion thesis and at least one year of operation are eligible to apply. Funding ranges from $150,000 to $3 million to support business growth and expansion initiatives.
9TH CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR COUNTRY-LED PROJECTS
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €163,000,000
GAFSP recognizes Producer Organizations (POs) as critical actors in linking smallholder farmers to input, capital, and product markets. By enhancing the capacity and reach of POs, GAFSP aims to increase agricultural productivity and incomes, particularly for smallholders, while improving food availability and access for consumers.
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The GAFSP 9th Call for Proposals for Country-led Projects launched on May 13, 2026. Eligible countries are invited to submit proposals and all required supporting documents by September 15, 2026. Applications should be prepared by governments in consultation with their selected Supervising Entity(ies) and relevant stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, producer organizations, women’s groups, private sector actors, civil society, and development partners. Priority will be given to high-quality proposals that demonstrate strong country ownership, implementation readiness, co-financing, and innovative approaches to addressing food security and nutrition challenges.
Actions must take place in selected low-income countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America.
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For GAFSP, the definition of a PO includes national and sub-national POs structured as either a producers’ association, union, federation, cooperative, or apex organization (including umbrella organizations or federations of POs)7 with the following characteristics:
a) It is a local organization formed by a group of smallholder producers to undertake agriculture-, food- and nutrition-related activities, including storage, processing, and marketing.
b) Its members include farmers, pastoralists, artisanal fishers, forest-dwelling groups, landless people, and/or indigenous people.
c) It is owned by its members: PO members participate in the governance of the PO.
d) Its profits and other benefits are shared among its members; and
e) It is a registered legal entity.
Funding Support for Net-Zero Technology Projects
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €1,615,000
The PowerUp NetZero Open Call for Innovation Projects provides financial support to SMEs and start-ups developing and adopting innovative net-zero technologies and solution. The call focuses on solar energy, battery and energy storage, hydrogen technologies, sustainable biogas and biomethane, carbon capture and storage (CCS), environmentally friendly product development, net-zero solutions and services, and pilot or demonstration actions.
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The PowerUp NetZero Open Call supports SMEs and start-ups working together to implement innovative projects that improve net-zero technologies and solutions within their processes, products, or services. The call expects a high level of innovation and aims to support activities addressing technical risks linked to the demonstration of new technologies and solutions.
Supported projects may focus on optimising technology processes and operational parameters or improving the characteristics of products and solutions. Innovation projects should demonstrate a net-zero technology or solution in an operational or virtual and industrially relevant environment at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7, without requiring large-scale demonstration or commercial production at this stage.
PowerUp NetZero has allocated EUR 1,615,000 to support innovation projects, providing financial support for at least 14 projects. The funding contribution per project proposal ranges from EUR 80,000 to EUR 120,000.
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Projects must be submitted by consortia consisting of at least two and no more than three companies. Eligible applicants must be consortia of SMEs, including start-ups that qualify as SMEs, established in an EU Member State or a country participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP) at the time of the call launch.
Applicants must meet SME requirements, including having fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million. Applicants, including start-ups, must also have at least one closed and validated financial year and must be established in an eligible country under the call
INDIA – CIVIL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTION TO POLICY DIALOGUE, CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE VALUE CHAINS
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €9,976,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen local civil society organisations’ (CSOs) engagement as actors of good governance and development in India.
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The specific objective(s) of this call for proposals are:
· Specific Objective 1 (SO1) is to strengthen the capacities of CSOs to contribute to and engage constructively in EU-India sectoral policy dialogue Partnerships, in the framework of the EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, in the following sectors: clean energy, climate action, resource efficiency and circular economy, water, sustainable urbanisation and digital, and to promote inclusive policies for the welfare of most vulnerable groups (gender and youth, but also people with disabilities, elderly, children, other minorities).
· Specific Objective 2 (SO2) is to promote CSOs’ contribution to sustainable economic growth, job creation, social inclusion and welfare, climate action and sustainable value chains in India.
· Specific Objective 3 (SO3) is to promote CSOs’ contribution to sustainable economic growth, job creation, social inclusion and welfare, climate action and sustainable value chains in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India.
Actions must take place in India.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must: (1) be a legal person and (2) be non-profit-making and (3) be a specific type of organisation such as: non-governmental organisation, civil society organisations or a civil society organisation association and (4) be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
Applications open for Biotech Certified Innovation Path
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €500,000
The EIT Health invites organisations from industry, education and research to submit proposals for the development of a new EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway within the Certified Innovation Path (CIP) portfolio, complementing the existing Health Data, Digital Medical Devices and High Value Care pathways.
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The proposed courses must equip participants to navigate and apply Europe's evolving regulatory and policy landscape, including the EU Biotech Act, Clinical Trials Regulation and MDR/IVDR, with a focus on translation and early scaleup. They must integrate biotech expertise with innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership skills, strengthen cross-border collaboration and industry engagement, and help participants demonstrate scientific, clinical and economic value while aligning development strategies with financing, partnering and market access.
Selected projects can receive funding of up to €240,000. Funded projects will design and deliver personalised learning courses for graduates and professionals across the health biotechnology value chain. The pathway aims to equip participants with the innovation, entrepreneurship and biotech expertise needed to translate scientific advances into scalable, market-ready healthcare solutions across Europe.
The call invites organisations from industry, education and research to submit proposals for the development of a new EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway within the Certified Innovation Path portfolio, complementing the existing Health Data, Digital Medical Devices and High Value Care pathways.
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Applicants must apply as a consortium of at least two Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) established in two different eligible Member States. At least one HEI must be established in an EIT RIS region, and at least one participating HEI must be authorised to award ECTS credits for the repurposed courses. The consortium must also include at least one non-academic or industry partner that will actively contribute to the curriculum of the repurposed courses and the supervision of learner assessment.
Transformative Healthcare Instrument 2026
Deadline: 15th of September 2026
Budget: €500,000
EIT Health has launched the Transformative Healthcare Instrument (THI) 2026 to support high-potential healthcare start-ups with funding aimed at accelerating innovation, product development, commercialisation, and future fundraising across Europe.
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The programme focuses on innovative solutions in biotech, medtech, digital health, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomarkers or diagnostics. It is designed to help companies advance product development, strengthen commercialisation strategies, prepare for the next stage of fundraising, and address unmet clinical needs across Europe.
Projects applying for funding must meet the required Innovation Maturity Levels (IML) according to their sector. Biotech projects must have reached IML 5 or above at the Safety/Toxicity study stage. Medtech projects must have achieved IML 6 or above at the Initial clinical Proof of Concept stage. Digital health projects must be at IML 7 or above with market validation, while Biomarker and Diagnostics projects must also have reached IML 7 or above.
Successful applicants may request funding ranging from €300,000 to €500,000. EIT Health will provide funding for up to 50% of the total project costs, while the remaining 50% must be secured by the applicant through other funding sources.
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The Transformative Healthcare Instrument is intended for private Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with at least four full-time equivalent employees. Eligible companies must have secured a minimum total equity investment of €2,000,000 within the previous 36 months, with at least one new investor contributing during that period.
Alleviating Household Energy Poverty Initiative
Deadline: 16th of September 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support actions that reduce energy poverty across Europe by improving living conditions, energy efficiency, and access to sustainable energy solutions.
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Energy poverty remains a significant challenge in Europe, with many households unable to maintain adequate indoor temperatures due to high energy costs, inefficient buildings, and limited financial resources. The issue is further intensified by extreme weather conditions, including rising summer heatwaves, which increase cooling needs and add pressure on vulnerable households.
The initiative aligns with broader European goals to ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition while addressing structural challenges in the energy system. It emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts across sectors such as energy, health, housing, and social policy, encouraging collaboration among public authorities, private stakeholders, and civil society.
Proposals under this initiative are expected to contribute directly to alleviating energy poverty by building on existing tools, indicators, and resources. Special attention is encouraged for actions targeting summer energy poverty and regions where support frameworks are less developed.
The initiative is divided into two distinct scopes. One scope focuses on supporting public authorities and stakeholders in establishing long-term coordination structures that enable cross-sector collaboration and strategic action to address energy poverty. The other scope focuses on facilitating the renovation of residential multi-apartment buildings in vulnerable areas to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating and cooling needs, and enhance the comfort and health of residents.
The total funding available for this initiative is €6,000,000.
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Eligible applicants must be legal entities, either public or private, established in EU Member States or other countries associated with the LIFE Programme. The coordinating organisation must also be based in an eligible country.
#BEACTIVE-EU-SPORT-AWARDS-PEACE
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €125,000
This award seeks to recognise organisations that have successfully used sport as a powerful tool to promote peace. It honours those that have made significant contributions in bringing together diverse communities, groups, and individuals, transcending differences and fostering dialogue, tolerance, and collaboration beyond divisions.
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This category celebrates initiatives that leverage sport and physical activity to build relationships founded on mutual respect and cooperation toward shared goals, ultimately contributing to peaceful coexistence at the local, national, or global level.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries.
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Eligibility is limited to any organisation or public authority (individuals are not eligible) which has successfully developed a sport project aimed at social inclusion, carried out in the EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme.
#BEACTIVE-EU-SPORT-AWARDS-VOLUNTEERING
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €125,000
This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations and/or individuals that have made outstanding contributions to sports through volunteer work. It also recognises dedication, leadership, and the positive impact of volunteers in fostering community engagement, inclusivity, and the development of sports at all levels.
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This category celebrates organisations and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting and developing sports through volunteer efforts. It highlights the crucial role volunteers play in shaping the future of sports and inspiring positive change in their communities.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries.
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Eligibility is limited to any organisation or public authority (individuals are not eligible) which has successfully developed a sport project aimed at social inclusion, carried out in the EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme.
#BEACTIVE-EU-SPORT-AWARDS – INCLUSION
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €125,000
This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations that have successfully used sport as a powerful tool to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and unity. It recognises efforts that break down barriers, empower and include underrepresented groups, and use sport to foster understanding, peace, and diversity in society.
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This category rewards initiatives that meet social challenges and support disadvantaged groups, such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities or vulnerable young people. It highlights the transformative power of sport in building bridges, empowering communities, and shaping a more inclusive and united society.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries.
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Eligibility is limited to any organisation or public authority (individuals are not eligible) which has successfully developed a sport project aimed at social inclusion, carried out in the EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme.
#BEACTIVE-EU-SPORT-AWARDS – ACROSS GENERATIONS
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €125,000
This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations working with sport across generations and contributing to strengthen communities. It recognises organisations that have made a significant contribution to strengthening communities promoting inter-generational activities through sport, providing easier access to sport & physical activities for all generations and keeping in mind interests of future generations.
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This category celebrates initiatives that use sport to bring people of all ages together, fostering intergenerational connections, inclusion, and long-term community development. It highlights the power of sport in bridging generational gaps, fostering understanding, and creating stronger, more connected communities.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries.
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Eligibility is limited to any organisation or public authority (individuals are not eligible) which has successfully developed a sport project aimed at social inclusion, carried out in the EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme.
#BEACTIVE-EU-SPORT-AWARDS – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €125,000
This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations that have significantly contributed to promoting physical activity across education and training establishments, non-formal learning environments, workplaces or local community. It recognises efforts that inspire and create opportunities for people of all ages to integrate movement into their daily lives, fostering a more active and healthier society.
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This category celebrates initiatives that have successfully encouraged physical activity at all levels. It highlights the power of physical activity in transforming lives, workplaces, and communities, inspiring a healthier and more active society.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries.
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Eligibility is limited to any organisation or public authority (individuals are not eligible) which has successfully developed a sport project aimed at social inclusion, carried out in the EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme.
EUROPEAN MINI-SLATE DEVELOPMENT
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
The objective of the European mini-slate development support is to foster the competitiveness of European independent production companies and to increase their economic weight on the market. The aim is also to increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop projects with the potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond, and to facilitate European and international coproduction.
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Expected results are:
· A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European slate development.
· Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of European works supported.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia and Ukraine.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANT
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €60,000,000
The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim to maximise the value of the excellent research that the ERC funds, by funding further work (i.e. activities which were not scheduled to be funded by the original ERC frontier research grant) to verify the innovation potential of ideas arising from ERC funded projects. The objective is to provide funds to enable ERC-funded ideas to be brought to a pre-demonstration stage where potential commercialisation or societal opportunities have been identified.
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The ERC Proof of Concept call aims at supporting ERC grant-holders to establish the innovation potential of their idea during the pre-demonstration phase. This would help among others: (1) establishing viability, technical issues and overall direction; (2) clarifying IPR position and strategy; (3) providing feedback for budgeting and other forms of commercial discussion; (4) providing connections to later stage funding; and (5) covering initial expenses for establishing a company.
Actions must take place in EU member states or Horizon Associated Country.
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The ERC actions are open to researchers of any nationality who intend to conduct their research activity in any EU Member State or H2020 Associated Country. Principal Investigators may be of any age and nationality and may reside in any country in the world at the time of the application. ERC Principal Investigators do not have to be based full-time in Europe. The host institution must either be established in an EU Member State or Horizon Associated Country as a legal entity created under national law, or it may be an International European Interest Organisation (such as CERN, EMBL, etc.), the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) or any other entity created under EU law.
ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANT
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €2,000,000 per project
The ERC Consolidator Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they may still be consolidating their own independent research team or programme.
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Principal Investigators must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their research proposal.
A competitive Consolidator Grant Principal Investigator should have already shown evidence of research independence.
Actions must take place in EU member states or Associated Country.
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The ERC actions are open to researchers of any nationality who intend to conduct their research activity in any EU Member State or Horizon Associated Country. Principal Investigators may be of any age and nationality and may reside in any country in the world at the time of the application. The host institution must engage and host the Principal Investigator for at least the
duration of the project, as defined in the grant agreement.
Agrobiodiversity for Food Security Program
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €12,000,000
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to support research and innovation aimed at increasing agricultural biodiversity to strengthen food security, resilience, and competitiveness in the European Union.
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The initiative addresses the challenges of genetic erosion and the need to improve agricultural resilience in the face of climate change, pests, and diseases while ensuring stable food production and farmer livelihoods.
The scope includes quantifying the economic and environmental benefits of agrobiodiversity, developing strategies to scale diversified farming systems, and assessing risks and trade-offs related to yield, marketability, and production stability. It also focuses on decision-support tools, financial incentives, nature-based credits, and improved value chains for diverse agricultural products.
Projects are expected to support farmers, land managers, and agribusinesses by providing tools and recommendations for farm diversification, risk mitigation, and improved market access. They should also explore methods for processing, storing, and commercialising diverse agricultural products while strengthening collaboration across the food value chain.
The topic aligns with EU policies such as the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Organic Action Plan, the Nature Credits Roadmap, and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations, subject to Horizon Europe rules and specific call conditions.
Marine Organisms for Sustainable Blue Bio-Based Products
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
The European Commission is seeking applications for research and innovation projects aimed at harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to develop sustainable blue bio-based products that can replace conventional and environmentally harmful materials.
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The objective of this initiative is to support the transition toward a greener and more competitive bio-based European industry by reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals and promoting sustainable alternatives across sectors such as textiles, polymers, construction materials, coatings, and industrial processing. The programme also aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation by ensuring that marine biodiscovery does not lead to unsustainable harvesting from natural ecosystems.
Projects funded under this topic are expected to develop innovative marine-derived solutions such as novel adhesives, antifouling coatings, biosensors, enzymes, biochemicals, and sustainable surfactants. Proposals should evaluate the costs and benefits of these alternatives compared to conventional market solutions, while also identifying regulatory, value chain, and market barriers that may affect deployment and scalability.
A strong emphasis is placed on assessing the safety, environmental sustainability, and effectiveness of developed products in comparison with existing materials, as well as providing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders. Projects should also consider the economic and societal relevance of the proposed innovations, particularly those with high potential for industrial transformation.
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Eligibility is open to any legal entity, including those established in non-associated third countries or international organisations, provided they comply with Horizon Europe conditions. Applicants must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before grant agreement preparation.
Apply for Research on Food Security and Climate-Biodiversity Balance
Deadline: 17th of September 2026
Budget: €12,000,000
The European Commission is now accepting grant applications to support research and policy alignment for sustainable agriculture while safeguarding food security in the European Union.
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The initiative addresses the growing importance of bio-based industries and nature markets, including carbon credits and environmental services, while ensuring that agricultural land use does not compromise food production. It aims to support farmers in diversifying income sources and improving environmental performance through sustainable practices.
The scope includes analysing the impacts of bioeconomy and nature markets on agriculture, food security, climate, and biodiversity, as well as developing innovative business models and value chains that provide fair income to farmers. It also considers the role of biomass residues, secondary biomass streams, and land-use dynamics in shaping sustainable systems.
Projects are expected to develop interdisciplinary tools and assessments covering farm-level decision-making, biomass supply and demand, land-use conflicts, and food security risks. They should also provide policy recommendations that help balance economic incentives with environmental and social sustainability goals.
The topic supports key EU policy frameworks, including the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Common Agricultural Policy, the EU bioeconomy strategy, the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation, and the European Green Deal.
Funding for this topic is set at €12,000,000, with an indicative contribution of around €6,000,000 per project.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, subject to Horizon Europe rules and specific call conditions.
NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €166,000,000
Projects should fall under at least one of the two areas of intervention:
· Intervention area: “Space for Nature”
· Intervention area: “Safeguarding our species”
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Intervention area: “Space for Nature”
Any project aimed at improving the condition of species or habitats through area- based conservation or restoration measures falls within the eligible scope of the intervention area “Space for Nature”. This may include, for example, projects for restoring or improving natural or semi-natural habitats, or habitats of species, both within and outside existing protected areas. This may also include projects for creating additional protected areas (or improving the biodiversity focus and contribution of existing protected areas), ecological corridors or other green infrastructure, projects testing or demonstrating new site management approaches, projects acting on pressures, etc.
Intervention area: “Safeguarding our species”
Any project aimed at improving the condition of species (or, in the case of invasive alien species, reducing their impact) through any relevant activities other than area-based conservation or restoration measures falls within the scope of the intervention area “Safeguarding our species”. Considering the broad range of threats that may act on species in addition to the degradation of their habitats, such projects may apply to a wide range of relevant measures, spanning from hard infrastructural works to awareness raising of stakeholders.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) registered in an eligible country.
NATURE GOVERNANCE AND INFORMATION
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €5,500,000
Objective: To contribute to the protection of nature and biodiversity by:
· raising awareness of the benefits of nature conservation,
· supporting nature and biodiversity policy and legislation compliance assurance, and/or
· supporting access to justice in nature and biodiversity policy and legislation-related matters.
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The present Call topic targets Standard Action Projects (SAP) aimed at achieving the objectives of the LIFE Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme by improving governance and information at all levels, as defined in sections 1 and 2 of the Call document. This call topic focuses exclusively on governance and information projects; other projects in line with the objectives of the LIFE Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme but defined in the Call topic LIFE-2026-SAP-NAT-NATURE are excluded.
LIFE projects shall take place in the territory of the European Union Member States plus Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) registered in an eligible country.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PREPARATION OF SNAPS
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €500,000
Provides financial support for the preparation of a proposal for a Strategic Nature Project (SNaP) to implement
· a Priority Action Framework (PAF), National Restoration Plans, or other plans or strategies on international, national, regional or multiregional level that implement EU nature and/or biodiversity policy or legislation
· at large territorial scale
· with the involvement of all concerned stakeholders and
· including a coordination mechanism for funding supporting complementary measures necessary for the full implementation of the targeted PAF (or other eligible strategy).
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Proposals must relate to activities taking place in EU countries, Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: be legal entities (public or private bodies).
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €28,000,000
Objective:Projects under the Climate Change Mitigation Priority Area will support the implementation of the European Green Deal by contributing to the objectives and targets set out in the EU Climate Law and to the intermediate Union climate target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
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Areas of intervention:
· Recovery, recycle and reclamation of ozone-depleting substances in foams and suitability of alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases and their recovery, reclamation and recycling;
· Actions to support the shift to zero-emission mobility in road transport;
· Decarbonising other transport modes, fostering intermodality and modal shift;
· Increase the generation and use of renewable energy and improvement of energy efficiency;
· Actions which reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in industrial production and waste management;
· Development and implementation of land and coastal management practices which have an impact on emissions and carbon removals, including the conservation and enhancement of natural carbon sinks in soils and forests and the storage of carbon in long-lasting products;
· Industrial solutions for carbon removal, carbon capture and use and/or storage.
LIFE projects shall take place in the territory of the European Union Member States plus Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) registered in an eligible country.
CLIMATE GOVERNANCE AND INFORMATION
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
LIFE Climate Change Governance and Information aims at supporting the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the Union legislation and policy on climate change, contributing to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. This includes improving governance through enhancing the capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society.
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Areas of Intervention:
· Raising awareness, incentivising behavioural change and supporting the activities of the European Climate Pact;
· Green skills & capacity building to implement climate mitigation and adaptation policies;
· Building capacity, raising awareness among end-users and the equipment distribution chain of fluorinated greenhouse gases;
· Support to the development, update and implementation of national, regional or local climate and energy strategies and plans;
· Activities linked to the implementation of Sustainable Finance actions;
LIFE projects shall take place in the territory of the European Union Member States plus Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) registered in an eligible country.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PREPARATION OF ENV SIPS
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €300,000
This call provides financial support for the preparation of a proposal for a Strategic Integrated Project under the sub-programme Circular Economy and Quality of Life in the areas of Circular Economy, Waste, Water and Air.
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In order to implement
· National or regional Circular Economy Action Plans, National and regional Waste Management Plans, River Basin Management Plans or Air Quality Plans
· at large territorial scale
· with the involvement of all concerned stakeholders and
· including a coordination mechanism for funding supporting complementary measures necessary for the full implementation of the targeted plan or strategy.
Proposals must relate to activities taking place in EU countries, Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: be legal entities (public or private bodies).
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PREPARATION OF CLIMA SIPS
Deadline: 22nd of September 2026
Budget: €200,000
This call provides financial support for the preparation of a proposal for a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) under the sub-programme for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
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In order to implement one of the following
· National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) including Long-Term Strategies (LTS), Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU)2018/1999,
· National adaptation strategies and plans pursuant to Article 5 of the Regulation 2021/1119 (‘European Climate Law’), or regional adaptation strategies or action plans,
· Urban or community-based action plans pioneering the transition to a climate neutral and/or climate resilient society, including climate-neutral cities plans and actions, for instance in the context of the EU Mission ‘Climate neutral and smart cities’ and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, and
· National, regional or industry-/sector-specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategies or low carbon economy roadmaps
Proposals must relate to activities taking place in EU countries, Ukraine and Moldova and North Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: be legal entities (public or private bodies).
Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,500,000
The European Commission has launched a funding opportunity to establish Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality aimed at advancing inclusive, equal and resilient democratic societies across the European Union.
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The call aims to bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations to collaborate on advancing inclusive democratic practices and promoting EU values of equality, justice, and fundamental rights. The proposed network is expected to support policymakers by equipping them with knowledge and tools to integrate inclusive and intersectional approaches into policymaking processes.
The funding available under this Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) is €4,500,000. Any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, is eligible to participate provided they meet the conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific call requirements.
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Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and associations or interest groupings may also participate under the conditions specified in the call. Applicants must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) and complete validation procedures before signing the grant agreement.
Safeguarding Linguistic Diversity Grant
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is accepting applications for projects that promote multilingualism, protect linguistic heritage, preserve endangered and marginalised languages, strengthen multilingual education, improve digital language inclusion, support intergenerational language transmission, enhance linguistic diversity mapping, and highlight the cultural, social, educational and wellbeing benefits of language preservation across Europe.
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The initiative seeks to document and map Europe’s linguistic diversity while building on existing frameworks and terminology established by the Council of Europe and UNESCO. Projects are expected to identify successful practices that have encouraged richer language use in society and supported multilingualism through knowledge sharing and community engagement.
Projects are expected to adopt transdisciplinary approaches involving fields such as linguistics, heritage studies, museum studies, media studies, theatre studies, literary studies, socio-economic research, migration studies, and cultural studies. Research may also examine oral transmission traditions, storytelling, music, gendered aspects of language preservation, and methods for conserving oral heritage in communities where spoken traditions remain central to cultural continuity.
The total funding available under this HORIZON-RIA call is €11,500,000.00.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they meet the conditions established under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific topic requirements.
Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) and complete validation procedures before signing the grant agreement. Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), associations, and interest groupings may also participate under the conditions outlined in the programme rules.
Rethinking Long-Term Care Policy in the Face of EU Demographic Shifts
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is inviting applications to support projects that strengthen long-term care systems by improving policy effectiveness, affordability, accessibility, workforce capacity and integrated care solutions across the European Union.
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The opportunity supports projects that improve long-term care systems through stronger policies, better workforce conditions, integrated and affordable care services, efficient use of resources, digital and AI-based innovations, and evidence-based planning to address rising care needs and demographic changes while promoting gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches.
Projects under this call are expected to evaluate existing long-term care policies and examine how effectively they meet current care needs through affordable, accessible, and high-quality services supported by adequately skilled workers. Proposals should also assess the role of integrated care and the interaction between long-term care and other social services.
The total funding available for this Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action is €15,000,000.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided that the conditions under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific call requirements are met. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) and complete validation procedures before signing the grant agreement.
Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, the Joint Research Centre, and associations or interest groupings may also participate under the conditions specified in the call guidelines. Participation arrangements depend on the legal status and role of the organisation within the consortium.
Digital and Media Literacy as Drivers for Democratic and Civic Resilience
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is inviting proposals for research and innovation actions that strengthen democratic resilience through media and digital literacy, helping citizens critically engage with information and counter disinformation in the digital age.
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Projects are expected to adopt a multi-actor approach involving public authorities, schools, universities, training institutions, youth initiatives, civil society organisations, businesses, local communities, and citizens. Particular attention should be given to vulnerable groups, including children, older persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic or religious minorities, LGBTIQ individuals, and people facing poverty or social exclusion, as they are often disproportionately affected during crises.
Funding of €12,000,000 is available under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) framework.
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Any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, is eligible to participate provided the conditions of the Horizon Europe Regulation are met.
Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, the Joint Research Centre, and associations or interest groupings may also participate under the specified conditions. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before signing the grant agreement.
Future of Civil Service and Government Innovation Programme
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is requesting grant applications to support studies on how governments are transforming their operations and preparing civil services for future challenges in a rapidly changing global context.
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The focus areas of this call include new governance paradigms such as agile leadership, anticipatory governance, crisis preparedness, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, open government, democratic participation, and strategic communication. It also includes innovative approaches to public service delivery and policymaking, including citizen participation, stakeholder engagement, systems thinking, experimentation, and evidence-informed decision-making. In addition, it focuses on public employment management and civil service empowerment through upskilling, reskilling, institutional reform, organizational development, and future-oriented human resource policies.
The funding available under this call is €8,000,000, with individual project funding ranging between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000.
The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by governments in an era of multiple crises, technological disruption, and declining public trust. It highlights the need to understand how civil services are adapting internally, how innovation is being implemented, and how governments are reshaping their structures, processes, and workforce to remain effective and resilient.
The call emphasizes documenting current governance practices, identifying innovative solutions, and analysing emerging trends across EU Member States and Associated Countries. It seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of how governments are reinventing themselves, including lessons learned from national and international examples of administrative innovation.
It further focuses on improving collaboration between countries, strengthening peer learning networks, and enhancing knowledge exchange among governments. The initiative also encourages the development of policy recommendations and training resources, including a comprehensive MOOC for public officials to support capacity building and future governance skills.
A key component of the research is to capture the perspectives of civil servants themselves, reflecting their experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding the evolving role of the state and public administration systems.
The expected results include policy recommendations at EU and national levels, dissemination of good practices and innovation trends, improved understanding of governance transformation, strengthened cooperation between administrations, and the development of training resources for civil servants.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations.
Local Democracy, Participation and Governance Research Initiative
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is now accepting grant applications to improve understanding of local democratic systems and strengthen evidence-based policymaking in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
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The focus areas of this call include democratic governance, decentralisation, human rights, inequality reduction, public service delivery, civic participation, transparency in decision-making, and strengthening trust in democratic institutions. It also prioritises developing science-based tools, training models, monitoring frameworks, and policy recommendations, as well as improving understanding of fragile contexts, local governance systems, and inclusive participation of women and marginalised groups.
The funding available under this call is €12,000,000, with individual project funding ranging between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000.
The initiative addresses the global rise of democratic backsliding and human rights challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the associated risks to stability, security, and international cooperation. It highlights the importance of strengthening democratic resilience through improved local governance structures.
The call aims to equip EU institutions, Member States, and policymakers with better tools and evidence to support democratic development, reduce inequality, and promote human rights. It also seeks to improve understanding of how local actors contribute to democratic practices and governance outcomes.
The research focuses on analysing decentralisation processes and their impact on governance quality, public service delivery, and citizen trust. It also explores the relationship between effective service delivery and pro-democratic attitudes, as well as mechanisms for improving transparency and accountability at the local level.
The initiative encourages participatory and multidisciplinary research involving local authorities, civil society organisations, and community actors in low- and middle-income countries. It also promotes the inclusion of non-academic stakeholders and the use of experimental and participatory methods to generate transferable evidence and good practices.
The expected results include improved policymaking tools, better understanding of local democratic systems, stronger capacity to promote democratic values, and enhanced access to evidence-based practices for use in fragile and diverse contexts.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations.
Call for Supporting Post-Conflict Democracy and Reconstruction
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support interdisciplinary studies aimed at strengthening democratic reconstruction, peacebuilding, and sustainable recovery in post-conflict contexts.
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The focus areas of this call include post-conflict democracy building, peacebuilding, reconciliation, governance reform, social cohesion, human rights, inclusivity, equity, security, anti-corruption, and accountability in reconstruction processes. It also emphasizes evidence-based policymaking, international cooperation, civil society engagement, participatory governance, inclusive economic development, and community-led reconstruction. Additional priorities include reintegration support for conflict-affected populations, including veterans and vulnerable groups, as well as addressing socio-economic and psychological recovery needs.
The funding available under this call is €12,000,000, with individual project funding ranging between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000.
The initiative addresses the challenges of rebuilding democratic institutions, infrastructure, and social systems in post-conflict regions, where instability, inequality, and weakened governance structures often persist. It seeks to improve understanding of how reconstruction processes can support long-term peace, democratic stability, and social recovery.
The call encourages research into the complex relationships between conflict legacies, inequality, governance, and international cooperation. It highlights the importance of examining historical narratives, ethnic tensions, and structural inequalities to develop more effective reconciliation and prevention strategies.
The initiative promotes interdisciplinary research drawing from sociology, psychology, political science, legal studies, cultural studies, and historiography. It also encourages participatory approaches involving governments, civil society organisations, media, education providers, cultural institutions, and community actors, with a particular focus on the role of women in peacebuilding.
Research is expected to explore innovative approaches such as participatory governance, inclusive development models, and community-driven reconstruction strategies to strengthen resilience and democratic outcomes in post-conflict societies.
The expected results include improved policymaking strategies for sustainable peace and reconstruction, stronger evidence-based decision-making at EU and national levels, enhanced civil society engagement, and better reintegration support systems for conflict-affected populations.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations.
Governing Global Commons Sustainably Initiative
Deadline: 23rd of September 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to develop multidisciplinary concepts and solutions for the sustainable governance of global commons in a complex and evolving geopolitical context.
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The focus areas of this call include climate governance, biodiversity governance, and the governance of spaces beyond national jurisdiction. It also prioritizes strengthening science-policy interfaces, enhancing citizen engagement, improving international cooperation, reinforcing rules-based multilateralism, and integrating human rights, gender equality, intergenerational justice, and environmental justice into global commons governance.
The funding ranges from €3,500,000 to €4,000,000 per project, with a total allocation of €12,000,000 available under the call.
The call addresses the growing pressures on global commons such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, alongside challenges arising from geopolitical tensions, technological developments, and increasing commercial interests in shared global spaces. It emphasizes the need for improved collective governance mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation and systemic global risks.
The initiative aims to enhance understanding among EU institutions, Member States, international organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders regarding systemic challenges affecting global commons. It also seeks to equip decision-makers and research institutions with tools to strengthen the science-policy interface and improve participation in foreign and security policy processes.
The call further supports research on how governance systems impact intergenerational justice, human rights, and social inclusion, while also exploring civil society participation, Indigenous knowledge systems, and mechanisms for accountability and redress in environmental governance. It encourages analysis of geopolitical tensions and their impact on global cooperation and international stability.
Proposals may address climate governance frameworks such as the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, biodiversity governance frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, or governance of spaces beyond national jurisdiction including oceans, Antarctica, and outer space.
Research activities are expected to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach involving policymakers, diplomats, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders, with strong international collaboration and integration of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and engineering disciplines.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations.
Funding Opportunity for Sustainable Research Collaboration and Innovation Networks
Deadline: 24th of September 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to strengthen cooperation and ensure the long-term impact of Centres of Excellence by promoting joint initiatives and collaborative innovation efforts.
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The programme focuses on strengthening long-term collaboration among Centres of Excellence through joint initiatives and clustering, enabling strategic transformation of research and innovation systems, promoting multidisciplinary and transnational cooperation to address European and global challenges, advancing priorities such as responsible AI usage, knowledge valorisation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, increasing visibility and recognition of Centres of Excellence, improving synergies with national and European programmes, fostering strategic clustering and thematic collaboration, supporting pilot implementation of collaborative clusters, building capacity for knowledge valorisation, enabling networking and matchmaking with industry and policymakers, developing digital platforms for collaboration, organising international conferences, and supporting entrepreneurship and technology transfer activities.
This initiative aims to build on previous investments in Centres of Excellence established under Teaming calls, particularly in Widening countries, by enhancing their sustainability and international competitiveness. It seeks to create stronger collaboration frameworks and shared initiatives that maximise the scientific, societal, and economic impact of these centres.
The scope of the call includes fostering collaboration among existing and future Centres of Excellence through structured activities such as strategic clustering, pilot implementation of joint initiatives, and capacity building programmes. It also encourages the development of networking opportunities, digital platforms, and international events to facilitate continuous interaction between research institutions, industry, and policymakers.
The programme provides funding of €7,000,000 to support comprehensive project proposals that bring together a wide range of expertise aligned with the proposed activities. It is designed to ensure that research outputs are translated into practical innovations and that collaboration leads to sustainable growth and impact.
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Eligibility is open to any legal entity regardless of location, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they meet the conditions set under the Horizon Europe Regulation and other applicable requirements. Entities may include organisations with legal personality or those recognised under relevant legal frameworks that can participate in collaborative research and innovation activities.
Enhanced Cognitive Electronic Warfare System with Intelligent Signal Analysis
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €24,000,000
The European Commission is spearheading a transformative initiative to develop next-generation cognitive electronic warfare systems that combine artificial intelligence, advanced signal analysis, and multi-sensor integration to safeguard EU maritime interests and maintain technological superiority.
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This initiative focuses on integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced digital and radiofrequency technologies to transition from multiple independent sensors to a multi-sensor netted approach, enhancing situational awareness. The objectives include developing scalable and adaptable systems capable of operating with unmanned vehicles, leveraging cognitive capabilities to accelerate decision-making and response times, automating certain threat responses, and improving operability, maintainability, and interoperability across EU platforms. The program also prioritizes the demonstration of AI-enhanced radar electronic support measures (RESM) and communications electronic support measures (CESM) within a demonstrator, aligning with ongoing EU initiatives and contributing to deep and digital technology objectives under STEP.
The increasing complexity of modern naval operations necessitates electronic warfare systems capable of handling multiple simultaneous threats in electromagnetically congested environments. Current solutions are limited, requiring complex integration of diverse sensors and frequency bands. This topic aims to develop cognitive EW systems that can detect, learn, and interact with the operational environment using AI and machine learning. Such systems will interpret large volumes of data from multiple sources, operate autonomously, provide faster and higher-quality intelligence, and automate system responses to improve reaction times in critical situations.
Proposals should focus on the development of a technology integration demonstrator combining hardware and software, integrating the cognitive model with multiband RF modules, and proving enhanced operational capabilities. Feasibility assessments should address the availability of necessary data, including classified information, and define mitigations where access is limited. The use of FSTP should be described when applicable, along with contributions from relevant experts.
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Eligible participants include legal entities, public or private, established in EU Member States or EDF-associated countries, with executive management in eligible countries and free from control by non-associated third-country entities unless approved guarantees are provided. The indicative budget for this call under the EDF-2026-DA program is EUR 24,000,000, covering studies, design, and eligible development actions upstream and downstream.
Development of GNSS Modules with NAVWAR Capabilities for PRS Defence Integration
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €50,000,000
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is supporting the development of advanced navigation technologies to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of defence systems under contested conditions.
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The focus areas of this initiative include the development of Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) GNSS modules with Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) capabilities, integration into EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries’ defence systems, compatibility with size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements for missiles and guided munitions, environmental and kinematic compliance, the creation of a common interface control document (ICD), demonstration of effectiveness under blue force electronic attack (BFEA), and alignment with the STEP objectives in deep and digital technologies.
This project aims to design, prototype, test, and qualify GNSS modules that are capable of maintaining accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) performance under NAVWAR conditions. The modules will be engineered to fit within the SWaP constraints of small-sized guided munitions while ensuring operational reliability during real firing tests. The proposals will need to demonstrate the performance and robustness of these prototypes in representative NAVWAR environments, specifically under conditions of electronic interference targeting friendly forces.
Proposals must not focus on non-defence civilian applications, purely theoretical frameworks, or unrelated technological domains. Additionally, where Fast-Track to Prototype (FSTP) approaches are employed, the proposals must clearly outline their implementation plan and the contribution of entities with relevant expertise.
The indicative budget for this call is EUR 50,000,000 under the EDF-2026-DA call, reflecting the strategic priority of strengthening defence systems’ resilience and interoperability across Europe.
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Eligible participants include legal entities, public or private, established within EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, or in EDF-associated non-EU countries, provided they maintain executive management structures in these eligible countries and are not under the control of non-associated third countries without approved guarantees.
Ammunition Waste Collection and Disposal Unmanned Platform
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
The European Commission is currently accepting grant applications to support the detection, collection, and disposal of hazardous military residues while reducing human risk.
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The initiative focuses on reducing human involvement in military waste cleanup, improving environmental protection, supporting green military practices, and enhancing safety. It emphasizes autonomous and energy-efficient ground platforms, UAV integration, AI-assisted target detection and classification, platform cooperation and swarming, and clean and resource-efficient technologies in line with STEP objectives.
The indicative budget for this topic under the call is EUR 10,000,000, as part of an overall budget of EUR 422,000,000 allocated to this call, supporting studies, design, prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification, including eligible upstream and downstream development activities.
Military exercises and combat operations generate hazardous residues, including inert casings, dud projectiles, drone wreckage, explosive residues, and buried unexploded ordnance. These can harm wildlife, agriculture, and humans. Automating cleanup reduces risk, improves efficiency, and allows faster restoration of affected areas.
Proposals should develop autonomous, energy-efficient, and self-repairable ground platforms equipped with tools, sensors, and algorithms for surface and sub-surface target recovery. Platforms should navigate efficiently, classify and sort detected items, and prepare them for transport and recycling. UAV technology with advanced sensors should be used for mapping and detection, while AI and assisted learning improve classification and target identification.
Swarming and platform cooperation concepts are encouraged to enhance safety, allow operations beyond communication ranges, and increase scalability. Additional sensors to detect toxic or harmful substances and autonomous UAV charging from ground platforms can be included. Projects must not duplicate existing initiatives or address emplaced weapons like mines and IEDs.
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Eligible participants are legal entities established in EU Member States, EDF-associated countries, or EEA countries, with executive management in eligible countries and no control from non-associated third countries unless guarantees are provided.
Enhanced Semi-Autonomous Naval Vessels
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €90,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to develop and qualify an enhanced medium-sized semi-autonomous surface vessel to support strengthened coastal defence and flexible multi-mission naval operations in littoral environments.
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The initiative focuses on advancing medium-size semi-autonomous surface vessels into flexible, fast-moving platforms adaptable to littoral conditions and future naval warfare missions. It prioritises integrated ISR and ASuW capabilities, modular mission integration including SBW, ASW, NMW and NMCM modules, semi-autonomous and remote operation with human-on-the-loop control, reduced manning, dual-use and commercial technology integration to lower costs, AI-enabled collaborative operations with multi-domain drones, offshore logistics concepts, and contribution to the STEP objectives in defence technologies.
The indicative budget for this topic under the call is EUR 90,000,000, forming part of an overall budget of EUR 422,000,000 allocated to the call.
This call follows up on previous EDF-supported activities in the field of medium-size semi-autonomous surface vessels. It aims to review earlier concepts and designs while enabling new design, prototyping, testing, and qualification activities for an enhanced medium-sized semi-autonomous surface (EMSAS) vessel. The platform should be capable of hosting multiple mission modules and operating effectively in complex littoral environments.
Semi-autonomy includes the option for remote operation of both the vessel and its mission modules, while autonomy allows operation under human-on-the-loop supervision, including onboard self-protection systems. Onboard human control solutions must be available for non-permanent use in no-threat conditions, with a focus on reduced manning. Dual-use technologies and commercial applications should be prioritised to optimise cost efficiency.
Proposals must address the evolution of the vessel platform, including full physical and logical integration of mission modules and solutions for remote monitoring and control. A detailed design and prototype of the EMSAS vessel with integrated ISR and ASuW capabilities is required, along with prototypes of SBW and ASW mission modules. Testing and qualification of the vessel and modules as a complete system are mandatory. Initial design activities up to preliminary design review are required for a mission module related to NMW, while progress should also consider NMCM modules, collaborative drone operations supported by AI, and offshore logistics concepts.
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Eligible participants must be legal entities established in EU Member States, EDF-associated countries, or EEA countries, with executive management in eligible countries and not controlled by non-associated third countries unless approved guarantees are provided.
AI-Based Military Simulation & Decision Support
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €16,000,000
The European Defence Fund is advancing a major initiative to assess the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive AI framework for defence applications to strengthen tactical intelligence, simulation capabilities, and military decision-making across the European Union.
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The focus areas of this topic include assessing the feasibility of creating an AI framework for defence applications; providing military simulation capabilities; integrating historical datasets; developing a rich scenario and benchmark database; enabling access to doctrinal models and outputs from previously developed AI services; supporting war games and combat simulations; facilitating AI-enabled battlespace simulation; enhancing situational awareness and decision-making support; connecting to C2 systems and synthetic training environments; managing and contextualising data for AI learning; supporting instructor-led training systems; testing future human-machine interaction concepts; enabling validation of tactical intelligence solutions; developing a continuous, scalable, reusable and flexible AI development environment; and contributing to deep and digital technologies under the STEP Regulation.
With a total funding budget of EUR 110,000,000 and an indicative allocation of EUR 16,000,000 under the EDF-2026-RA call, this topic supports research actions where each proposal may request up to EUR 8,000,000. The initiative is positioned as a study and design action, while not excluding upstream and downstream research activities.
In a defence modelling and simulation context, artificial intelligence is expected to deliver tactical intelligence in near real time by strengthening operational awareness and providing advanced planning and decision-support tools. The envisioned AI framework is designed as a robust and adaptive system that enhances operational efficiency while ensuring interoperability, security, and responsiveness across persistent military environments such as training, exercises, and rehearsals.
The framework aims to unify tactical intelligence and decision-making capabilities by integrating command and control systems with synthetic training environments. It will collect, combine, clean, and contextualise historical and doctrinal data so that AI systems can learn, extract insights, and generate actionable guidance. By linking directly to end users, including C2 operators and training instructors, the framework will enable practical testing and validation of innovative tactical intelligence concepts within development and experimentation settings.
A key ambition of the topic is to address varying levels of AI maturity and standards across EU Member States and EDF associated countries by investigating how to create a scalable and reusable AI development environment. The objective is to ensure seamless integration of capabilities into a cost-effective and persistent military ecosystem.
Through this initiative, the programme seeks to accelerate innovation in military modelling and simulation systems while reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in advanced digital and defence technologies.
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Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must be legal entities established in eligible countries, including EU Member States and certain associated countries, with executive management structures located in those countries and without control by non-associated third countries unless appropriate guarantees are provided.
AAdvancing Radar Technologies for Hypersonic and UAV Threats
Deadline: 29th of September 2026
Budget: €20,000,000
The European Commission is providing significant funding to develop a next-generation radar demonstrator capable of detecting and tracking hypersonic glide vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in complex and dynamic environments.
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This initiative, with a total budget of €110,000,000 and an indicative funding of €20,000,000 under the EDF-2026-RA call, focuses on creating advanced radar technologies that can automatically adjust waveforms and signal processing in real-time to counter the effects of high-speed manoeuvring hypersonic threats and changing radar cross-section characteristics, classify and track UAVs in cluttered environments using machine learning algorithms, implement feedback loops between received and transmitted signals to optimize detection and tracking performance, and demonstrate improved operational ranges and resilience against electronic countermeasures.
Hypersonic vehicles, with extreme speed and manoeuvrability, present substantial detection challenges, further complicated by variable radar cross-section properties. Concurrently, the proliferation of UAVs for intelligence and reconnaissance missions necessitates the development of effective anti-UAV radar systems. The demonstrator will serve as an engineering development model to test and validate innovative radar technologies, assess their maturity, feasibility, and operational applicability, and reduce risks associated with future full-scale sensor deployment.
By leveraging artificial intelligence and cognitive methods, the radar system will dynamically select optimal waveform-receiver filter combinations, maximizing detection and tracking performance in complex operational scenarios. This effort also contributes to the STEP program objectives, specifically in the target investment area of deep and digital technologies, strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities.
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Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must be legal entities established in eligible countries, including EU Member States and certain associated countries, with executive management structures located in those countries and without control by non-associated third countries unless appropriate guarantees are provided.
Applications open for Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport Technology Projects
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €Not available
The Maritime Low Emission Network is a European transnational initiative launching its second call (2026) to support collaborative research and innovation projects aimed at advancing zero-emission waterborne transport technologies across participating countries.
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The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of this call include strengthening the European Research Area in maritime research; advancing Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT); promoting international cooperation; identifying and addressing gaps in research activities; creating critical mass in key research domains; improving cost-effectiveness of maritime research programmes; developing common standards for prioritisation, commissioning, evaluation, monitoring, and assessment of research activities; enhancing competitiveness of European maritime research and industry; and supporting the full innovation chain from science to business. Additional thematic priorities include sustainable alternative fuels, electrification, energy efficiency, vessel design and retrofitting, digitalisation, green ports, energy storage systems, digital twins, bunkering solutions, renewable energy integration, grid and power conversion systems, zero-emission decision support systems, scenario modelling, and demonstrators for green shipping corridors.
The MarLEN initiative is designed to deepen and expand transnational cooperation among European ministries and funding organisations responsible for maritime research and innovation. It builds on experience from previous ERA-NET initiatives and aims to consolidate long-term collaboration into a self-sustaining framework. The call encourages projects that strengthen synergies between national and regional programmes and support coordinated research activities aligned with ZEWT goals.
Projects submitted under this call should address industrial research and experimental development within the maritime sector, focusing on innovative solutions that reduce emissions in waterborne transport. Proposals are expected to involve industrial partners, with strong encouragement for the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises. Consortia may also include research organisations and other stakeholders to enhance innovation impact and implementation potential.
The call also supports demonstration-oriented projects, particularly those involving real-world deployment of technologies through green shipping corridors. These projects are expected to include ports and shipping operators to ensure practical implementation and early adoption of zero-emission maritime solutions.
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Consortia must consist of at least two independent legal entities from at least two different participating countries, with one partner acting as coordinator. Applicants must ensure alignment with national eligibility rules and funding conditions, as national priorities and budgets vary across participating organisations. Proposals are subject to a two-stage application process involving a transnational lead proposal followed by a national submission phase for selected projects.
Submit Applications for Climate Resilience Fund
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €250,000-5,000,000
The Digital Inclusion Fund is seeking applications to support companies that are expanding digital payments, broadband access and inclusive financial services for unbanked populations.
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The program focuses on advancing digital payments, expanding broadband access, strengthening inclusive financial services, and increasing financial inclusion for underserved and unbanked communities.
The funding can be used for working capital, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity building, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment procurement, technology acquisition, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.
Through this support, eligible companies can strengthen their operations, test and scale innovative solutions, improve access to essential digital and financial services, and expand their impact among underserved populations.
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Technology companies with a clear inclusion thesis and at least one year of operation are eligible to apply. Funding ranges from $150,000 to $3 million to support business growth and expansion initiatives.
HUMAN RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY PROGRAMME COUNTRY ALLOCATION MONGOLIA 2025
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €240,000
The overall objective of this call for proposal is promotion and protection of: (i) human rights and fundamental freedoms; (ii) democracy; and (iii) the rule of law.
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The specific objectives:
· Specific objective 1: Protecting and empowering individuals: to contribute to the full enjoyment by every person of all human rights, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural rights.
· Specific objective 2: Safeguarding fundamental freedoms, including harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of new technologies: to create and maintain an environment conducive to the full exercise of all fundamental freedoms, online and offline.
Actions must take place in Mongolia.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must: (1) be a legal person and (2) be non-profit-making and (3) be non-profit organizations (NGOs); and (4) be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
CULTURAL HORIZONS: RESIDENCIES
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €400,000
The ‘Cultural Horizons’ programme is designed to increase the access of Ukrainians, particularly displaced persons, to culture and cultural heritage, by supporting cultural and artistic projects developed through EU-Ukrainian partnerships. It aims to strengthen connections between the Ukrainian and EU cultural spheres and to explore mentorship as a tool for professional development.
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The programme aims to:
1) Strengthen connections between the Ukrainian and EU cultural sectors;
2) Explore and promote mentorship as a tool for the development of the culture sector;
3) Foster the professional development of Ukrainian artists and cultural actors.
The Cultural Horizons Residencies call provides subgrants for EU-based to implement residency and cooperation projects with Ukrainian artistic and cultural workers. The call is administered by Cultural Vistas gGmbH and designed to support organisations in Europe that operate in the fields of culture and arts to enhance their cooperation with the Ukrainian cultural sphere by implementing a) residency and b) educational products on the basis of residencies in 2027.
Actions must take place in Ukraine and EU member states.
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Eligibility: Artistic and cultural organisations and initiatives registered within the EU, including EU-based non-profit organisations (NGOs and public sector organisations), sole applicant or partnership (consortia).
Call to Host World Habitat Day and World Cities Day 2027
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The UN-Habitat is inviting countries to express their interest in hosting the Global Observances of World Habitat Day and/or World Cities Day in 2027.
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The focus areas include sustainable urbanization, sharing global and local actions and innovations, improving the quality of life in urban areas and human settlements, recognizing best urban practices, promoting new urban policies, programmes and initiatives towards sustainable urbanization, raising international awareness of urbanization trends, challenges, visions and sustainable solutions, strengthening international cooperation, building equitable, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive cities, and encouraging responsibility for shaping the future of cities and towns. The themes for 2027 are “A billion lives: transforming informal settlements and slums” for World Habitat Day and “Financing Adequate Housing and Informal Settlements: Prospects and Pathways” for World Cities Day.
Each year, UN-Habitat selects a specific theme for both World Habitat Day and World Cities Day to highlight an important aspect of sustainable urbanization. The host country is encouraged to use the occasion to recognize best urban practices and promote significant urban policies, programmes and initiatives that support sustainable urban development. Countries and cities are also encouraged to celebrate these observances as part of Urban October while focusing on the selected themes.
Both Global Observances aim to increase international awareness of urbanization trends, challenges, visions and sustainable solutions. They also promote international cooperation and contribute to global efforts to build equitable, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive cities that provide better living environments and improve the quality of life for communities.
Countries interested in hosting either World Habitat Day or World Cities Day in 2027 must provide a minimum cash contribution of USD 500,000 for each observance. A minimum contribution of USD 1,000,000 is required for countries that wish to host both events. This contribution is to be provided to UN-Habitat.
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Host countries will be selected by an internal UN-Habitat committee based on the information provided in their application. Applicants are expected to demonstrate good practices related to sustainable urbanization and the event themes, describe planned national programmes and activities, provide details of previous experience in hosting international events, explain the accessibility of the proposed host city or country for international delegates, indicate whether they wish to host one or both observances and identify the proposed host city or cities.
Applicants must also confirm the availability of the required financial contribution, demonstrate their commitment to providing the necessary funding for in-country activities and event requirements, agree to sign the required agreement within three months of receiving the official response from UN-Habitat, and provide the name and contact details of the city, ministry or office submitting the expression of interest.
IDB LAB CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €multi million
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab has launched a Call for Proposals for venture capital funds that bridge early-stage financing gaps and promote social inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Through investments in venture capital funds, IDB Lab aims to tackle critical barriers to development impact and social inclusion, with a special focus on poor and vulnerable populations across the region. The call seeks to bridge key financing gaps in countries, sectors, and business models where early-stage entrepreneurs face unmet investment demand. High-impact sectors with structural capital gaps including Health/Biotech, Edtech/Workertech, Agtech/Foodtech, and Climate Tech are eligible.
Actions must take place in Latin America.
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Investment management firms interested in being considered for IDB Lab’s investment should apply through the online form and submit the firm’s investment deck. The selection process is highly competitive, and a committee of professionals from IDB Lab will review each proposal.
Call for Proposals to Support Research Projects
Deadline: 30th of September 2026
Budget: €2,500,000
The Lantmännen Research Foundation has launched its applications to support research projects that contribute knowledge with practical value for Lantmännen’s operations and farm-level applications.
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The call supports projects under three focus areas: Agriculture and Machinery, Food and Health, and Bioenergy and Green Materials. The foundation has a total funding budget of SEK 25 million for the 2026 call.
The distribution of funding across the three focus areas is not predetermined and will depend on the quality and relevance of the applications received. Project durations typically range from a few months to two years or more, and there is no fixed maximum budget per project. As a general guideline, the foundation’s annual budget is usually distributed among 15–20 research projects.
The project plan must not exceed 10 pages (approximately 45,000 characters) and should include a popular scientific summary, background, purpose, objectives and effects, materials and methods, preliminary results, timetable and deliveries, project members and their roles, dissemination plan including patents and intellectual property rights, and references.
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The Lantmännen Research Foundation invites applications from researchers at universities, colleges, institutes, and companies with research activities, both nationally and internationally. The foundation encourages applicants to contact them before applying to discuss project ideas, collaboration opportunities, and to ensure that the proposed project aligns with the foundation’s purpose.
Young Inventors Prize for Sustainable Solutions
Deadline: 30th of September
Budget: €100,000
The Young Inventors Prize 2027 is now accepting nominations from young innovators worldwide who are developing technological solutions to address global sustainability challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Organised by the European Patent Office (EPO), the competition recognises outstanding young inventors whose publicly available initiatives demonstrate originality, technological innovation, and the potential to address pressing global challenges. Up to 10 "Tomorrow Shapers" will be selected by an independent jury. Among them, three winners will receive the special awards of World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. An additional People's Choice Award will be determined through a combination of public voting and jury evaluation.
Each of the ten selected Tomorrow Shapers will receive €5,000 and a certificate. Winners of the three special categories will receive an additional €15,000, a trophy, and a winner's certificate, bringing their total prize to €20,000 each. The recipient of the People's Choice Award will receive an additional €5,000. Selected innovators will also receive international recognition through the Young Inventors Prize website, EPO communication channels, media outreach, newsletters, and promotional campaigns. Travel and accommodation costs for attending the award ceremony, where applicable, will be covered by the organisers.
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The competition is open to individuals or teams worldwide whose members will be 30 years of age or younger at the time of the award ceremony. There are no nationality restrictions, and self-nominations are accepted alongside nominations from intellectual property professionals and members of the public. Eligible initiatives must already be publicly available or published and should clearly demonstrate how they address one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through a technological solution. Nominations must include supporting documentation such as granted patents, utility models, scientific publications, business plans, videos, documentaries, or relevant web articles.
School Leadership Research Grants for African Education Researchers
Deadline: 30th of September
Budget: €100,000
The ACSL Cohort II Grant Program is requesting applications to strengthen school leadership and improves learning outcomes through the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
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Applications are open for Descriptive Action Research and Comparative Action Research focused on school leadership practice in one or multiple African countries. Successful researchers will also join the School Leadership Community of Learning and participate in the Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory (BELT).
The Descriptive Action Research Grants provide up to USD 15,000 each for research conducted within a single educational context over 12 months. The Comparative Action Research Grants provide up to USD 35,000 each for research conducted across two or more educational contexts over 24 months. A total of 23 researchers across the continent will be supported through these grants.
Proposals must include multidisciplinary research teams of three to five members and adopt an action-research approach that demonstrates meaningful collaboration with practitioners and policymakers. Cross-country collaborations and proposals addressing gender equality, disability inclusion, rural and underserved communities, and other marginalised groups are strongly encouraged. Researchers from all African countries are eligible to apply.
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To be eligible, applicants must be citizens of an African country, be based in Africa, and ensure that the research focuses on school leadership practice in one or multiple African countries. The Principal Investigator must hold a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management, or a closely related field earned within the past five years.
ARMENIAN GRANTS
Deadline: 30th of September
Budget: €280,000
This quarter is dedicated to healthcare for strengthening the systems that underpin quality care in Armenia. The most critical gaps in the field lie in service quality, institutional capacity, and the consistency of governance
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Sustainable improvement depends on building strong foundations through effective policies, robust regulatory frameworks, and a well-trained local workforce.
· System Reform, Governance & Policy Development: Support initiatives that strengthen governance in the health sector, improve regulatory frameworks, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking. Projects may include designing guidelines, improving standards, enhancing oversight mechanisms, or creating sustainable processes within government agencies and public institutions.
· Capacity Building of Health Professionals & Institutions: Focus on strengthening the competencies of Armenia’s health workforce and institutions, and regional health departments. This may include training programs, curriculum development, quality improvement initiatives, and long-term skill-building efforts that enhance service quality nationwide.
· Quality of Care Improvements Through Integrated Models: Support initiatives that improve the patient experience and overall quality of care by reinforcing existing systems. This may include integrated care pathways, improved coordination between institutions, data-informed quality improvement, or the introduction of models that enhance continuity, safety, and effectiveness of care.
Actions must take place in Armenia.
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Organizations must have at least three years of documented program outcomes. Registered charitable organizations, including IRS-designated 501(c)(3) entities in the U.S. and state-registered nonprofits, foundations, and other charities in Armenia.
YOUNG EYE SURGEONS INTERNATIONAL SERVICE (YIS) GRANT
Deadline: 1st of October
Budget: €100,000
The Young Eye Surgeons International Service (YIS) Grant was created to inspire young eye surgeons to become involved with global eye care on a long-term basis.
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The grant affords the opportunity to participate in health care systems, including teaching institutions and community programs, in developing countries. Working with the ASCRS Foundation and its international partners, recipients get to develop a customized international volunteer plan that provides the opportunity for a young eye surgeon to learn first-hand the intricacies behind global eyecare efforts.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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Grant Requirements include: Maintain active ASCRS membership; Present project plans and experience at two ASCRS Annual Meetings; Quarterly project status updates; Complete international travel within 18 months.
ELDP MAJOR DOCUMENTATION PROJECTS (MDP)
Deadline: 1st of October
Budget: €300,000
Major Documentation Projects could involve a number of elements, including fieldwork, salary costs of researchers and stipend costs of graduate students (while engaged in the field and in processing work) whose doctoral research will contribute to the project as a whole. You may request support for between 6 and 36 months.
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ELDP especially welcomes applications from documenters from language communities, local scholars and students from the country where the language is spoken/signed, as well as collaborative projects. Applicants for large MDPs must have a proven track
record in language documentation and linguistic analysis and have demonstrated the skills to manage such a project. The panel will expect to see evidence of positive outcomes of previous grants, including accessible archived data and previous research.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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ELDP welcomes applications from researchers of any nationality to undertake projects in any part of the world. Applicants should be researchers with qualifications in linguistics and experience in linguistic fieldwork (including suitably qualified graduate students). Projects may be undertaken by teams or individuals. MDP applications from established principal investigators are welcome.
GRANTS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS TO STRENGTHEN WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Deadline: 1st of October 2026
Budget: €210,000
Within the project on “Fostering civil society’s support for women’s access to justice in Türkiye” under the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Fostering civil society participation and capacity building in access to justice in Türkiye”, whose main beneficiary is the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, the Council of Europe is launching a call for grants, open to applications of civil society organisations (CSOs) registered and operating in Türkiye.
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As the supported projects will address women’s access to justice and are expected to involve the delivery of legal information and counselling services, applicants are required to establish co-operation with relevant bar association(s). Such partnerships are expected to strengthen the quality, accessibility and long-term impact of the grant provided. Collaboration with municipality(ies) is also encouraged in order to foster a more comprehensive and coordinated local response.
Actions must take place in Turkey. The grantees will be selected from civil society organisations registered and operating in Türkiye. Organisations working in regions with groups of women in vulnerable situations, and in the pilot provinces of the project are particularly encouraged to apply: Afyon, Bilecik, Bitlis, Burdur, Tokat and Yalova.
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Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions, and private higher education institutions
EUROPEAN CROSS-BORDER GRANTS
Deadline: 1st of October 2026
Budget: €1,600,000
The aim of Journalismfund.eu is to promote quality journalism in Europe by giving journalists the chance to carry out journalistic research projects. Journalismfund.eu will support professional journalists, who have good ideas for cross-border research and for research on European affairs. The stories must be relevant for European target groups.
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The project should be one that, in principle, could not be realised in this format within the remit of regular journalism – a project that can include cross-border research, networking between colleagues, established and innovative investigative methods and that is at the same time original, innovative and intensive.
Journalismfund.eu supports costs related to journalistic research for all media. This can include travel, translation, access to pay-databases or simply time to research. They do not support fixed costs such as office costs, investments such as cameras or computers or production costs.
Actions must take place in Europe.
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Teams of journalists from at least two countries in geographical Europe are eligible to apply. When relevant for the story, team members from elsewhere can be accepted too.
Apply AI: Piloting AI-based image screening in medical centres DIGITAL-2026-AI-PILOTING-10-SCREENING
Deadline: 1st of October 2026
Budget: €9,000,000
One or more proofs-of-concept of replicable, scalable cloud-based AI/GenAI systems for analysis of medical imaging data in a healthcare setting, with demonstration of the role of the clinicians in validating AI/GenAI findings and reports showcasing seamless integration of the system into clinical workflows.
Evidence-based analysis of (cost-)efficiency of the piloted solutions for healthcare systems for regulatory and HTA purposes.
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Each project awarded in this action should implement a scalable cloud-based AI/GenAI system running European trustworthy and safe AI/GenAI algorithms that were developed, trained and validated using very large sets of patient data. They should put in place a secure, privacy-preserving cloud environment required for the health data analysis tasks, with appropriate access and identification tools for authorised use only, and implement the whole system as described under this topic, seamlessly integrated in regular clinical workflows of the care settings involved. Interoperability and the need to communicate with the health IT infrastructure (e.g. the electronic health record (EHR) of the patient, Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Radiological Information Systems (RIS), etc.) need to be addressed.
The projects should demonstrate the integration and large-scale validation of cloud-based AI/GenAI systems, following a thorough assessment and testing over a large number of patient test cases in real healthcare settings. The proposers are expected to choose the types of health data, the AI/GenAI algorithms that are trustworthy and secure, and the medical use cases, with the focus disease areas being cancer and cardiovascular. The projects should perform technical and clinical validation of the systems, generating evidence on AI systems’ performance and usability in different clinical settings. They shall use the AI systems for screening in clinical settings, perform local performance evaluation and post-deployment monitoring of the solutions, including evidence generation on cost-efficiency in view of regulatory requirements and health technology assessment (HTA). Whenever relevant, each project should deploy AI/GenAI solutions already tested and validated within the TEF for Health.
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Eligible applicants must be:
Legal entities established in:
EU Member States
Countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme
Ophthalmology Institutional Research Capacity Strengthening Grant Program
Deadline: 1st of October 2026
Budget: €300,000 per project
The Velux Stiftung has announced the Ophthalmology Institutional Research Capacity Strengthening Grant Program to support long-term biomedical and clinical ophthalmology research capacity development in LMIC institutions.
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The programme supports projects that aim to sustainably build, develop, or strengthen institutional structures enabling biomedical and clinical ophthalmology research in low- and middle-income countries. Institutional research capacity strengthening must remain at the core of every proposal. Projects may include research activities if they align with the institutional strengthening plan and contribute to long-term institutional development.
Funding of up to USD 75,000 per year is available for projects lasting between one and four years, with a maximum total grant of USD 300,000. At least 50% of the funding must be used in LMIC partner institutions, while at least 40% of the funding must support institutional research capacity strengthening activities.
At least one PI or co-PI must be an established or leading ophthalmology researcher according to the European Framework for research careers. Applications must also include a member of the LMIC research institution’s executive or leadership team as PI or co-PI to support sustainability and institutional alignment.
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Eligible applicants include consortia of research groups involving at least one partner institution based in a low- or middle-income country. High-income country partners are welcome but not mandatory. The principal investigator institution must be an academic research institution, and all participating institutions must operate on a not-for-profit basis with legal eligibility to receive international funding.
EU NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN SERBIA
Deadline: 5th of October 2026
Budget: €4,100,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is: to strengthen the EU integration process in Serbia by empowering civil society to actively participate in policy decision making and by further stimulating their role as competent, transparent, accountable and effective civil society actors.
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The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:
· to further strengthen the overall long-term capacity and commitment of civil society, including their operational capacities for advocacy, and monitoring of structural reforms and Serbia’s EU Integration process in all relevant sectors, including on the Reform Agenda and Growth Plan for Serbia;
· to enhance civil society progress and development via tailor-made approaches, in line with their point of development in the life cycle and their constituencies, via an EU National Resource Centre (EUNRC) throughout Serbia by regional presence where and as relevant;
· to increase the capacities of grassroots and informal groups for advocacy and monitoring of reforms and Serbia’s EU Integration process through flexible financial support to third parties (FSTP) mechanisms
Actions must take place in Serbia.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must: (1) be a legal person and (2) be non-profit-making and (3) be a specific type of organisation such as civil society organisation.
IHI European HealthCare Incubator Network
Deadline: 8th of October 2026
Budget: €53,200,000
The IHI European HealthCare Incubator Network aims to establish a collaborative European ecosystem that accelerates the journey of early-stage healthcare innovations from research to market by connecting public and private healthcare incubators.
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The action seeks to establish a sustainable European HealthCare Incubator Network that connects incubators from academia, foundations, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical technology sectors. Through this coordinated network, early-stage healthcare companies will receive mentorship, networking opportunities, access to resources, and support that enables them to strengthen their innovations and prepare for future growth.
A major objective of the initiative is to create a strong programme that helps de-risk promising healthcare start-ups by providing multi-sector expertise, industry mentoring, and tailored support. By improving business and technological readiness, the programme aims to make participating companies more attractive to public and private investors while increasing their ability to secure future scale-up financing.
The programme also includes a Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism that will provide agile funding opportunities for selected start-ups. In addition to financial support, participating companies will gain access to high-quality services, specialised infrastructure, training, mentorship, and expert guidance offered by the project consortium.
The Network is expected to establish close collaboration with other European and national innovation programmes, enabling selected start-ups to identify additional funding opportunities and continue their development through complementary support mechanisms. The initiative also aims to award an industry quality seal to start-ups that successfully complete industry validation, improving their credibility with investors, regulators, healthcare systems, and venture capital organisations.
The action further promotes the development of strategic partnerships between innovative start-ups, industrial partners, incubators, investors, venture capital funds, and other stakeholders across Europe. Through these collaborations, selected companies will strengthen their market, business, and technological readiness while advancing sustainable healthcare innovations that can be implemented at scale.
The programme specifically targets early-stage healthcare companies operating at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 5. These companies are expected to have progressed beyond basic research while continuing to refine and validate their technologies before large-scale demonstration and commercial deployment.
The total budget available under this call is €53,200,000. The call follows a two-stage application process. The first-stage application deadline is 8 October 2026, following the call opening on 2 July 2026. Successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by 21 April 2027. The European Commission expects to fund projects with indicative contributions of around €9 million, around €9.2 million, and around €35 million, depending on the scope and objectives of the selected actions.
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Participation is open to eligible legal entities in accordance with Horizon Europe rules, subject to the conditions outlined in the call. Applications must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the prescribed application forms and must comply with all admissibility and eligibility requirements described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme.
Decode the Immunoscience of Age-Related Diseases
Deadline: 8th of October 2026
Budget: €53,200,000
The European Commission has launched the Decode the Immunoscience of Age-Related Diseases funding opportunity to advance research into how ageing reshapes the immune system, enabling the development of innovative prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies that support healthier ageing and improve outcomes for elderly populations
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The opportunity focuses on accelerating access to cost-effective personalised interventions for elderly-onset immune diseases by identifying ageing biomarkers, predictive and digital biomarkers, and prevention strategies. It also aims to improve quality of life through innovative diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic approaches, strengthen AI-driven research infrastructure, integrate clinical and multi-omics data, and support healthier ageing in line with the European Health Data Space Regulation and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
The programme also seeks to understand the biological mechanisms underlying elderly-onset immune diseases, identify molecular drivers and immunosenescence signatures, evaluate biological ageing and vaccination history, and apply AI and machine learning to discover new biomarkers and therapeutic pathways. In addition, it supports age-related disease phenotyping, observational cohorts, deep molecular profiling, regulatory readiness, sustainable management of project data and samples, and collaboration with European research infrastructures to maximise research impact.
The ageing population is creating growing healthcare challenges as immune function naturally declines over time, increasing vulnerability to infections, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and multiple long-term health conditions. This topic aims to improve understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect ageing with immune dysfunction and disease progression.
The initiative places particular emphasis on immune-mediated diseases that commonly emerge in older adults, including inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, Sjögren’s disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Researchers are expected to investigate why these diseases develop differently in elderly patients compared to younger adults and how ageing influences disease progression and treatment response.
Applicants are expected to combine existing research cohorts with newly established observational cohorts covering different age groups and disease onset categories. Comprehensive molecular profiling, immunological analysis, microbiome studies, ageing clocks, electronic health records, and digital health technologies will be integrated to generate high-quality evidence for precision medicine approaches.
The total budget available under this topic is €53,200,000, with funding awarded through a two-stage application process. The first-stage application deadline is 8 October 2026, followed by the second-stage deadline on 21 April 2027. The call opened on 2 July 2026, with indicative funding of around €9,000,000, €9,200,000, and €35,000,000 across the expected projects.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to play a central role by integrating multi-omics datasets, clinical information, disease registries, and digital biomarkers. These approaches will help identify common and disease-specific pathways associated with immunosenescence while improving prediction of disease onset, progression, and treatment effectiveness.
The funded projects should also consider regulatory pathways for new biomarkers and intervention strategies, engage with healthcare authorities to support future clinical implementation, and establish sustainable systems for maintaining research data and biological samples beyond the lifetime of the project. Collaboration with existing European research infrastructures is encouraged to strengthen research capacity and maximise the long-term impact of project outcomes.
Eligible applicants include any legal entity regardless of its place of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they satisfy the conditions of the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific requirements of the topic. Applicants must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before signing the grant agreement.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity regardless of its place of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they satisfy the conditions of the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific requirements of the topic. Applicants must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before signing the grant agreement.
AI Toxicology Model for Drug Safety Studies
Deadline: 8th of October 2026
Budget: €53,200,000
The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) has launched this funding opportunity to accelerate the development of an Artificial Intelligence Foundation Toxicology Model and a transparent framework that supports scientifically justified waivers for second-species toxicity testing in drug safety studies while promoting safe, efficient, and ethical medicine development.
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The topic addresses the growing need to modernize nonclinical safety assessments for new medicines by replacing or reducing traditional animal testing with scientifically validated AI-based approaches. It seeks to develop a robust and transparent AI Foundation Toxicology Model capable of predicting whether testing in a second animal species would provide additional safety information during chronic and sub-chronic toxicity studies. The initiative supports the broader adoption of New Approach Methodologies while maintaining high standards of patient safety and regulatory confidence.
Applicants are expected to consolidate and evaluate high-quality toxicology data from pharmaceutical companies and other organizations. This includes structured and unstructured toxicity study data along with other relevant datasets that can strengthen AI model development. The proposal should also establish a secure database that enables collaborative analysis while protecting sensitive information and supporting future regulatory decision-making.
The project should systematically assess existing artificial intelligence approaches and optimize suitable methods capable of delivering transparent probabilistic predictions. The selected AI methodologies should ensure interpretability, traceability, data provenance, and uncertainty estimation while supporting regulatory expectations. Alternative modelling approaches may also be explored if they offer effective solutions.
A major component of the project involves designing, training, and validating the AI Foundation Toxicology Model. The model should generate reliable predictions across different study durations, species, and toxicity outcomes while demonstrating strong performance, robustness, explainability, and trustworthiness. Validation should be carried out through representative use cases with active participation from industry, academic institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, and regulatory stakeholders.
The proposal must also establish a standardized weight-of-evidence framework that integrates AI model outputs with additional scientific evidence. The framework should provide transparent and reproducible decision-making by evaluating evidence quality, consistency, uncertainty, severity, and human relevance to support regulatory submissions for second-species waivers.
The total indicative budget for this topic is €53.2 million under a two-stage application process. The first-stage application deadline is 8 October 2026, while successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by 21 April 2027. The call opened on 2 July 2026. The indicative funding is expected to be approximately €9 million, €9.2 million, and €35 million across the projects supported under this topic.
To ensure long-term impact, applicants should prepare strategies for regulatory adoption, governance, ethical implementation, and sustainable model evolution. The project should include practical tools, implementation guidance, and recommendations that facilitate real-world use of the AI Foundation Toxicology Model while supporting future regulatory developments and broader adoption across the pharmaceutical sector.
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The funding opportunity is open to any legal entity regardless of its country of establishment, including organizations from non-associated third countries and international organizations, provided they satisfy the eligibility conditions defined under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific topic requirements. Applicants must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before the grant agreement is signed.
Applications open for Agritech Modernization Grant
Deadline: 10th of October 2026
Budget: €100,000-2,500,000
The Agritech Modernization Grant offers to support modernizing smallholder farming systems using technology and climate-smart practices to improve incomes and food security.
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The focus areas, include agritech modernization, smallholder agricultural value chains, digital agriculture tools, climate-smart farming techniques, fair-trade supply chains, smallholder income improvement, food security, working capital support, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity building, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment and technology procurement, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
The Agritech Modernization Grant is designed to support agribusiness transformation by enabling the adoption of modern technologies and sustainable farming practices. It focuses on improving productivity, market access, and resilience for smallholder-linked agricultural systems.
The grant provides funding ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million to eligible applicants, depending on the scope and scale of proposed interventions.
The funding can be used to support a range of activities including technology deployment, capacity building, research and feasibility studies, equipment procurement, and monitoring and evaluation systems that strengthen agricultural value chains.
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Eligible applicants include agribusinesses, cooperatives, and agritech firms that have proven linkages with smallholder farmers. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly benefit smallholder agricultural value chains.
Co-funded European Partnership for Social Transformations and Resilience
Deadline: 13th of October 2026
Budget: €60,000,000
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to advance research and innovation on social transformations and resilience in response to major societal, environmental, and technological changes.
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The main objective of this initiative is to create a long-term, multi-annual research and innovation programme addressing social transformations and resilience across Europe. It aims to strengthen fairness, inclusiveness, and social cohesion while responding to major global challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, demographic shifts, and unexpected shocks.
The partnership is expected to develop a seven-year research and innovation programme that mobilizes national and regional research funding. It will implement joint transnational calls for proposals and support research contributing to European Union priorities such as the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Green Deal, the European Research Area, and the European Education Area.
The programme also supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, quality education, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, climate action, and peace and justice.
Key operational objectives include collecting and analysing data on social transformations, promoting comparative research, strengthening collaboration between researchers and policymakers, supporting experimentation and innovation, developing new analytical tools, and building capacity among research and policy communities.
The partnership will engage national research funding agencies, government ministries, academic institutions, social partners, civil society organisations, NGOs, and private sector actors to ensure broad collaboration and impact. It builds on existing initiatives such as CHANSE, HERA, NORFACE, T-AP, and JPI MYBL.
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Eligible applicants include any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including those from non-associated third countries and international organisations.
WSA Global Award
Deadline: 15th of October 2026
Budget: €Not available
Applications open for the World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award, a nomination-based international recognition program for digital solutions that deliver measurable social impact in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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The award promotes digital solutions that create societal impact and support the UN SDGs across eight categories: Government & Citizen Engagement, Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Education, Environment & Green Energy, Culture & Heritage, Smart Settlements & Urbanization, Business & Commerce, and Inclusion & Empowerment.
Selected nominees and winners receive global recognition, access to the WSA Global Congress, pitching opportunities, tailored workshops, expert feedback, media exposure, and integration into an international innovation network spanning 182 countries. Winners also gain long-term engagement and access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and ecosystem connections rather than financial grants.
Applications are first nominated by WSA National Experts and then evaluated through an international jury process. Entries are assessed based on impact, quality, and relevance. Final selections are made across categories through structured expert review.
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The program is open to individuals, companies, and organizations from UN and UNESCO member states. Eligible submissions must be market-ready digital solutions with demonstrated real-world impact. All entries must be nominated by a WSA National Expert and submitted in English. Solutions are generally expected to be no older than three years unless significantly updated.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ACTION GRANTS TO SUPPORT TRANSNATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE FIELDS OF E-JUSTICE, VICTIMS’ RIGHTS AND PROCEDURAL RIGHTS
Deadline: 15th of October 2026
Budget: €9,400,000
The call for proposals aims to facilitate effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all, and effective redress, including by electronic means (e-Justice), by promoting efficient civil, and criminal procedures, and by promoting and supporting the rights of all victims of crime as well as the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings.
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This biennial call for proposals, under the Access to justice specific objective, covers two priorities:
· E-justice priority
· Victims’ rights and procedural rights priority
This topic is covering the E-Justice priority of the call for proposals for EU action grants to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights and procedural rights under the Justice Programme (JUST).
Actions must take place in EU Member States plus others
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Applicants (the notion of applicants concerns applicants and partners) must be either public bodies or non-profit organisations with legal personality.
BLUE ACTION FUND
Deadline: 15th of October 2026
Budget: €17,000,000
This call for proposals provides individual grants to NGOs for projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, or India
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Have the following integrated focus:
Establishment of new or improved management of protected areas (PAs) and/or other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), with a focus on mangrove ecosystems; and
Protection, restoration, and sustainable use of mangroves, contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and improved livelihoods; and
Advancement of high-integrity blue carbon initiatives toward carbon crediting.
Actions must take place in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, or India.
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Eligible applicants are charitable non-government organisations (NGOs) or consortia of NGOs with proven experience in mangrove conservation and/or restoration as well as blue carbon project development and sustainable livelihoods.
Call for Applications: Human Rights Advocates Program
Deadline: 15th of October 2026
Budget: €not available
Applications are now open for the Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP), providing experienced grassroots human rights activists working with NGOs an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and continue advancing human rights within their communities.
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The Program focuses on sexual and gender-based violence, domestic violence, minority rights, LGBTQI+ rights, labor rights, Indigenous peoples’ rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, disability rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, corporate social accountability, and human rights abuses in the fisheries sector.
The Human Rights Advocates Program is designed for human rights activists working with nongovernmental organizations, including lawyers, journalists, doctors, teachers, social workers, community organizers and other professionals engaged in human rights advocacy.
Funding from program supporters will enable qualified advocates working on LGBT rights, disability rights and/or sexual and reproductive health and rights in Latin America and/or Africa to participate.
Applicants must be actively working at the grassroots level. Those holding full-time or part-time jobs while pursuing their advocacy work are preferred.
Full-time students and government officials are not eligible for consideration. Academics will also not be considered under the Program.
Applicants from high-income countries are generally not eligible, except those who represent marginalized communities.
Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to applicants who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but is not mandatory.
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Applications are welcomed from qualified human rights advocates from regions around the world. Participants are selected based on their previous human rights work experience, commitment to the human rights field and demonstrated ability to undertake graduate-level studies.
ASEAN Science Technology and Innovation Fund 2026
Deadline: 16th of October
Budget: €1,200,000
Applications are open for the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026, launched by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) to support collaborative research and innovation projects on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across ASEAN Member States under the theme “ASEAN Grand Challenge: AI-Enabled Competitive and Resilient Region.”
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The program supports research and innovation activities focused on four priority areas: AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security; AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence; AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition; and AI for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Productivity and Workforce Development. Proposals must identify a regional problem and demonstrate relevance across multiple ASEAN Member States.
The ASTIF Call 2026 provides a total budget of USD 1,200,000. Eligible activities include collaborative research or development of AI models, tools or solutions, technology demonstrations or proof-of-concept activities, and development or enhancement of shared infrastructure and data systems for AI research and development. Eligible costs may include research equipment, materials, supplies, consultant and expert fees, meetings, workshops, administrative costs, eligible personnel costs, and other direct research-related expenses. Personnel costs and stipends must not exceed 30% of the total project budget on average. Funding cannot be used for non-eligible expenses such as conference participation for presenting papers, office rental, supporting office equipment, or other excluded costs listed in the guidelines.
Projects must have a maximum duration of 24 months. Required documents include the completed ASTIF Call 2026 Proposal Template, a formal institutional submission letter, and additional legal registration or endorsement documents depending on the selected funding track.
Proposals will be reviewed by a Project Appraisal Group (PAG) based on relevance to the call theme, priority categories and APASTI objectives, clarity of the regional problem, regional collaboration and impact, cross-sectoral and cross-Sub-Committee collaboration, technical and financial soundness, contributions from ASEAN Member States and partners, deliverables and sustainability. Applicants may be requested to respond to reviewer queries or clarify their proposals before final selection. Selected projects will follow grant agreement requirements, including reporting and dissemination obligations
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Eligible applicants must be legally registered entities based in an ASEAN Member State, with individual applicants not eligible. Applicants may apply through the Open Competitive Call Track, which is open to higher education institutions, public research organisations, government agencies, non-profit organisations, private sector companies, startups and other legally registered organisations engaged in science, technology and innovation activities, or through the COSTI Sub-Committee Track for eligible national focal point entities. Project teams must include members from at least two ASEAN Member States, and proposals must be submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the ASEAN Member State serving as the project lead.
Eurogia2030 Call 31: Low Carbon Technology Projects
Deadline: 29th of October 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The Eurogia2030 Call 31 is inviting applications for collaborative low carbon technology research and innovation projects.
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Eurogia2030 aims to create collaborative projects that address important challenges related to low carbon technologies and support the development and application of emerging technologies across multiple sectors.
The call is open to applicants from Austria, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
Funding availability varies by participating country. The Czech Republic provides grants of up to 12,000,000 Czech korunas, with projects limited to a maximum duration of 36 months. France provides loans of up to €3 million per project for startups and SMEs. Hungary provides grants between 20 and 70 million Hungarian forints for eligible organisations.
Lithuania provides grants of up to €300,000 per project, while Poland provides grants of up to 1 million Polish zloty for single applicants or 2 million Polish zloty for domestic consortia. Ireland provides a maximum budget of €250,000 per organisation per project.
Spain provides loan and grant support options, including loans covering up to 75% of eligible costs and non-repayable grants for eligible companies. South Africa provides grants of up to €300,000 per project, and South Korea provides grants of up to 500 million South Korean won per year per project for up to three years, with total funding of up to 1.5 billion South Korean won.
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Eligible applicants must submit projects that represent international cooperation through a specific project and focus on researching or developing an innovative product, process, or service with the goal of commercialisation.
Projects must have a civilian purpose, and consortia must include at least two independent legal entities from a minimum of two Eureka countries. No single organisation or country can be responsible for more than 70% of the project budget.
SME Growth Accelerator Program
Deadline: 15th of November 2026
Budget: €50,000-1,500,000
The SME Growth Accelerator Program helps small and medium enterprises grow, expand into new markets, and strengthen their business capacity through funding and mentorship support.
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The focus areas, objectives, priorities, or themes include SME growth and scaling, market expansion, job creation, mentorship and business networking, follow-on financing opportunities, working capital support, pilot project deployment, technical assistance, capacity building, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment and technology procurement, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
The program is designed to help small and medium enterprises strengthen their operations and expand their market presence. It combines financial support with non-financial services such as mentorship and access to business networks to support sustainable business growth.
Funding under the program ranges from $50,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the scale and nature of the proposed activities.
The funding can be used for a variety of growth-related activities, including working capital needs, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity development, market research, feasibility studies, procurement of equipment and technology, and monitoring and evaluation systems.
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Eligible applicants include for-profit small and medium enterprises with between 10 and 250 employees and verified annual revenues between $250,000 and $10 million. The program is intended to support businesses that are ready to scale and create quality employment opportunities.
Call for Expressions of Interest to Host World Urban Forum 15 in 2030
Deadline: 30th of November 2026
Budget: €15,000,000
The UN-Habitat has launched a call for expressions of interest from countries interested in hosting the World Urban Forum (WUF15) in 2030.
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The focus areas include adequate housing, sustainable urbanization, implementation of the New Urban Agenda, raising awareness of adequate housing and sustainable urbanization, improving collective knowledge through training, discussions and the exchange of practices and policy solutions, strengthening coordination and cooperation among stakeholders, supporting the implementation of global priorities for adequate housing and sustainable urbanization, informing the reporting of the New Urban Agenda, and building global coalitions to expand knowledge, resources and impact for sustainable urbanization.
The World Urban Forum is the leading international gathering for sharing knowledge, views and experiences on adequate housing and sustainable urbanization. It also serves as a platform to discuss global frameworks, including the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The forum brings together policymakers, local government leaders, non-government organizations and expert practitioners involved in sustainable urban development and human settlements.
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The forum provides an opportunity for participants to discuss how cities and human settlements are planned, designed, financed, developed, governed and managed. It also explores practical approaches, insights and lessons that contribute to inclusive development through the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
Countries interested in hosting WUF15 are expected to provide a financial contribution to support the event. The selected host country must make a minimum total cash contribution of USD 15,000,000 to UN-Habitat. Information regarding the purpose of this contribution will be provided as part of the bidding proposal.
Request for Applications: Healthcare Access Initiative
Deadline: 1st of December 2026
Budget: €200,000-4,000,000
The Healthcare Access Initiative is now accepting applications to support projects that improve healthcare access and patient outcomes for low-income communities.
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The focus areas, include healthcare access, private clinics, telemedicine networks, diagnostic platforms, pharmaceutical supply chains, patient outcomes, low-income populations, working capital, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity building, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment and technology procurement, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. The funding available under this initiative ranges from $200,000 to $4 million.
The programme supports initiatives that strengthen healthcare delivery through private clinics, telemedicine services, diagnostic platforms, and pharmaceutical supply chains. The aim is to improve healthcare access and patient outcomes for underserved and low-income communities.
Funding is available for a range of project-related activities.
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Eligible applicants may use the support for working capital, pilot deployments, technical assistance, capacity-building activities, climate and ESG-aligned investments, market research, feasibility studies, equipment purchases, technology procurement, and monitoring and evaluation activities.
Licensed healthcare providers and health-tech companies operating in eligible countries are eligible to apply for support under this programme.
GRAPPA Open Call for Circular Agri-food Innovation Projects 2026
Deadline: 20th of October 2026
Budget: €500,000
The GRAPPA Open Call supports SMEs in developing and commercialising innovative solutions that maximise the valorisation of agri-food biomass and side-streams.
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The GRAPPA Innovation Open Call provides financial support to SMEs implementing innovative projects that enhance the valorisation of agri-food biomass and improve the competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.
The call aims to encourage the use of digital tools and technologies where relevant while supporting the twin transition of the agri-food industry. The valorisation of agri-food biomass and side-streams is intended to help companies develop new products and processes, diversify revenue, improve environmental performance, and increase the availability of ingredients and processes in Europe.
The Innovation Open Call has a total budget of €2,020,000. Proposals can be submitted by a single SME or by a consortium of up to three SMEs.
Single SME projects can receive a maximum grant of €60,000, while collaborative projects can receive up to €90,000. Applicants must provide at least 15% private financial contribution through debt or own financial resources, with proof required.
The maximum duration of Innovation Projects is one year.
Collaborative projects may include a maximum of three SMEs, with at least one SME involved in food processing or production. Applications must be submitted in English and must use the required application form without structural modifications.
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Eligible applicants must be SMEs and confirm their SME status according to the European Union SME definition. Applicants must be legal entities established and operating in an EU Member State or a country participating in the EU Single Market Programme/COSME.
Eligible SMEs include those in agri-food production and processing, SMEs from other sectors such as cosmetics and nutraceuticals that valorise biomass, by-products, or side-streams from the agri-food sector, SMEs that valorise their own biomass, by-products, or side-streams for the agri-food sector, and SMEs providing solutions or technologies for biomass and side-stream valorisation, including new technologies, processes, system integration, ICT solutions, machinery, and packaging.
OPEN CALL OF PERFORM EUROPE 2026 – 2028
Deadline: 22nd of October 2026
Budget: €1,400,000
The third and final edition of Perform Europe under the current Creative Europe programme (2021-2028) will continue to explore, together with the performing arts sector, how cross-border touring can become fairer, greener and more inclusive, while further consolidating the knowledge, partnerships and practices developed through the programme
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Proposals are submitted by collaboration partnerships of performing arts professionals and organisations. Partners should work on their proposal together. This is a call to the sector to create partnerships and propose impactful ideas that can generate real change via two main priorities:
Inclusion & diversity
Fight against climate change
Actions must take place in EU member states plus Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia and Ukraine.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
CFPs: Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems
Deadline: 28th of October 2026
Budget: €96,000,000
The European Commission is seeking applications to support the development of innovative materials and technologies that enable energetically autonomous systems and improve the sustainability of energy consumption.
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The Challenge aims to create a new generation of advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting systems and achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 for the resulting energetically autonomous systems. The selected projects will develop a variety of advanced materials applied to different energy harvesting modules and integrated systems.
Projects will be considered based on the energy harvesting phenomena used, such as solar, thermoelectric, piezoelectric and nanotribological approaches, the composition of advanced materials, and the intended field of application. Selected projects will participate in portfolio activities focused on benchmarking technologies, sharing scientific knowledge, improving module integration, developing integrated approaches for specific use cases, and communicating with target audiences.
Applicants are expected to identify and develop innovative advanced materials for energy harvesting that use new physical and chemical phenomena, improve performance, and reduce reliance on Critical Raw Materials. Projects should implement these materials into miniaturised energy harvesting modules, integrate these modules into energetically autonomous systems, and demonstrate their performance in representative laboratory use cases.
The Challenge also encourages the use of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to accelerate the identification, design, fabrication and characterisation of new materials. Proposals should identify potential markets and the impacts associated with their innovations.
The increasing development of Internet of Things systems and connected objects has created a growing need for sensor networks and energy solutions. The expansion of these systems increases energy consumption and creates environmental challenges, particularly due to the use of battery-powered sensors.
This Challenge focuses on developing advanced materials that can deliver miniaturised integrated energy harvesting devices with improved performance compared to existing technologies. These solutions aim to support highly effective energetically autonomous devices and systems while reducing energy consumption.
The total funding available for this Challenge is €96,000,000. Individual project funding is expected to range from €500,000 to €4,000,000.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations, may participate if the conditions under the Horizon Europe Regulation and specific call requirements are met. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting an application to obtain a participant identification code and complete validation requirements.
DeepRAP: Challenge for Trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems
Deadline: 28th of October 2026
Budget: €96,000,000
The European Commission is inviting applications to develop next-generation cognitive AI systems by addressing key challenges in deep reasoning, abstraction, and planning.
The focus areas of this challenge are deep reasoning, deep abstraction, deep planning, cognitive function capability, technological approaches including neuro-symbolic AI, deep learning, reinforcement learning and novel frameworks, use case and application domains such as industry, mobility, civil security, scientific discovery, health, cybersecurity, justice and human-robot interaction, interoperability, benchmark development, common pilots, multiagent integration, application shaping, and ethical and societal alignment.
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The challenge aims to support innovative approaches that advance the scientific state-of-the-art while building a robust, interoperable, and application-driven community for trustworthy cognitive AI. It seeks to strengthen future European leadership in safe, human-centric cognitive AI and support the ambitions of the AI Act and the European approach to Artificial Intelligence.
Proposals under this challenge are expected to deliver models and architectures that handle multimodal data and knowledge, uncertainty, and can be trained and deployed with constrained computational resources. They should also provide trustworthiness mechanisms that ensure explainability, transparency, fairness, risk evaluation, security, and alignment with ethical and legal standards, including fundamental rights and the EU AI Act.
The developed capabilities should be demonstrated through integration into a cognitive AI system reaching TRL4 and performing complex real-world tasks such as scientific discovery, decision support, problem solving, and simulations at scale.
Proposals should also introduce new methods and metrics for evaluating and certifying reasoning, trustworthiness, and the use of computational resources. They should follow FAIR principles to ensure data, models, and results are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable, while developing synergies with EU initiatives such as TEFs, eBrains, Resource for AI Science in Europe (RAISE), AI-on-demand Platform (AIoD), and the Quantum Flagship.
The portfolio of funded projects will provide coverage across cognitive function capability, technological approaches, and use case and application domains. Selected projects will contribute to portfolio activities focused on establishing common standards and protocols, developing a DeepRAP benchmark, delivering joint pilot demonstrations, combining project outcomes into modular multiagent AI systems where feasible, defining impactful use cases, and addressing ethical, legal, and societal considerations.
The challenge encourages proposals that explore novel approaches, including combinations of existing techniques such as neuro-symbolic AI or the creation of entirely new frameworks inspired by fields including neuroscience, biology, physics, and philosophy.
The objective is to develop AI systems with advanced cognitive capabilities. Deep reasoning should enable causal inference, logical reasoning, context-aware decision-making, and the ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty. Deep abstraction should allow AI systems to form and refine high-level concepts, analogies, and representations that can transfer across different application areas. Deep planning should enable robust, adaptive, and scalable planning in open-world, agentic, or uncertain real-time environments.
The challenge addresses the limitations of current AI systems, including difficulties with complex reasoning, understanding the real world, solving logic tasks, and long-term planning. It aims to improve the reasoning, abstraction, and planning capabilities of AI systems by moving beyond traditional symbolic and neural AI approaches.
The total funding available is €96,000,000.00, with individual grants ranging from €500,000.00 to €4,000,000.00.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations, may participate if the conditions under the Horizon Europe Regulation and specific call requirements are met.
Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting an application to obtain a participant identification code (PIC) and be validated by the Central Validation Service before signing the grant agreement. A validated PIC is not required at the time of application submission.
Resource Assessment for Deep Geothermal Reservoirs
Deadline: 1st of December
Budget: €18,000,000
The European Commission is inviting applications to support projects that improve the assessment of deep geothermal resources for sustainable renewable energy development.
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The programme focuses on deep sedimentary and basement reservoirs, geothermal resource assessment, advanced exploration methods and technologies, predictive models, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), closed-loop geothermal systems, drilling success, sustainable geothermal energy, environmental and socio-economic sustainability, risk reduction, community engagement, social sciences and humanities integration, and inclusive research approaches.
Deep sedimentary and basement reservoirs often have low permeability, high drilling costs, and limited available data because they have traditionally received little attention during hydrocarbon exploration. The programme supports projects that improve the understanding of these reservoirs and help identify suitable locations for geothermal resource development.
Projects are expected to develop advanced methods, technologies, and conceptual models for different geological settings. These approaches should address the challenge of limited data while making better use of available information to assess geothermal resources located at depths between 2,000 and 6,000 metres. The proposals should also contribute to evaluating environmental and social impacts associated with geothermal development.
The supported projects should improve knowledge of reservoir conditions and parameters such as in-situ stress, temperature, geomechanical behaviour, and chemical properties. Where relevant, proposals should also examine stimulation techniques, well design, completion technologies, opportunities for the co-production of raw materials, and wellbore stability to improve geothermal resource performance.
Proposals are expected to validate the benefits of their proposed solutions using current decision-making and risk analysis methods to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Projects should promote early, continuous, and inclusive engagement with citizens and local communities. This engagement should consider technical aspects that may affect local communities and ecosystems, including biodiversity, water balance, pollution, land use, visual impact, noise, seismicity, and underground changes such as impacts on non-targeted aquifers.
The programme also requires the effective involvement of social sciences and humanities experts and institutions to strengthen the societal impact of the proposed research activities.
The total funding available under this topic is €18,000,000, with an indicative funding amount of around €4,500,000 per project.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, may participate provided they meet the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific requirements of the call.
Data Sharing to Support AI Development in the Energy Sector
Deadline: 1st of December
Budget: €30,000,000
The European Commission is requesting grant applications to support projects that develop secure and innovative data-sharing approaches to advance artificial intelligence foundation models for the energy sector.
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The programme focuses on AI foundation models, large-scale energy data sharing, privacy and security, digitalisation of the energy system, grid observability, energy supply and demand forecasting, energy storage, renewable integration, demand-side flexibility, energy efficiency, interoperability, FAIR data principles, open-source AI development, secure data exchange, ethical AI, transparency, explainability, and accountability.
Projects are expected to develop effective and innovative methods for collecting, sharing, and using large datasets for training AI models in energy applications while ensuring privacy and security. The aim is to support the digitalisation of the energy system through advanced AI foundation models.
The supported projects should improve energy system capabilities, including grid monitoring, forecasting, storage solutions, renewable energy integration, demand flexibility, and energy efficiency. They should also strengthen cooperation, knowledge sharing, and interoperability among energy sector stakeholders for secure and seamless data exchange.
Projects are expected to focus on developing, training, and testing AI foundation models using extensive datasets that support the energy transition. Proposals should demonstrate access to large and relevant datasets at the time of application and develop innovative data governance strategies for effective data sharing among energy actors.
Projects should explore secure and transparent data-sharing approaches, including data space connectors, federated model training, synthetic data creation, and other innovative strategies. The developed data governance methods should remain scalable and operational beyond the end of the project.
The AI foundation models developed should address one or more energy sector applications, including electricity grid planning and operation, static power flow modelling, dynamic electromagnetic transient modelling, forecasting, congestion management, anomaly detection, fault diagnosis, predictive maintenance, flexibility management, demand-side energy efficiency, smart charging, and bidirectional electric vehicle charging.
Projects should carry out detailed testing and validation of AI foundation models through laboratory demonstrations and real-life pilots. These activities may build on facilities from previously funded AI testing and experimentation facilities and may also consider regulatory sandboxes for pilot implementation.
The projects should involve a broad range of stakeholders, including data owners such as energy utilities, grid operators, and asset owners, application developers such as startups, SMEs, and hyperscalers, as well as model users including industry, grid operators, and equipment manufacturers.
Projects may use the computing capacity of AI factories announced by the European Commission, particularly those focused on developing AI applications for the energy sector, to support the scaling of AI model training and development.
AI models should follow ethical, safety, and security principles, with transparency, explainability, and accountability included in the development process. Open-source practices should be followed where possible, and efforts should be made to prevent bias by ensuring that data represents diverse populations.
The total funding available under this topic is €30,000,000, with an indicative funding amount of around €10,000,000 per project.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, may participate provided that the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific requirements of the call are met.
Bavarian Scholarship Program for Graduates
Deadline: 1st of December
Budget: €100,000
The Bavarian Scholarship Program is designed to support postgraduate studies, PhDs, and one-year research stays at state or state-funded higher education institutions in Bavaria.
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The program promotes academic exchange and scientific cooperation between Bavaria and Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe and supports complete postgraduate studies, doctorates, and one-year research stays as part of a PhD in the home country at Bavarian state universities, state-recognized universities under church sponsorship, and art or music universities.
The funding amount is €992 per month, totaling €11,904 per year. Scholarship holders with at least one child receive €1,152 per month, totaling €13,824 per year, and may also apply for a family allowance of €160 per month. The scholarship is generally awarded for one year and may be extended twice by one additional year each time, for a maximum of three years, provided the degree or PhD has not yet been completed.
They must not be able to finance their study or research stay in Bavaria through their own funds or third-party funding, must have German and/or English language skills appropriate for the planned study or research project, usually at C1 level, and must demonstrate well above-average academic performance at their home university. Enrollment at the chosen Bavarian university is required during the scholarship period, although it is not necessary at the time of application.
The scholarship supports complete postgraduate studies or doctorates in Bavaria and one-year research stays that form part of a doctorate in the home country. It does not support exchange years in Bavaria that are part of a Master’s program at the home university or fee-based continuing education programs for experienced professionals. The chosen course of study must mainly take place in Bavaria and require a change of residence to Bavaria for the duration of the program.
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The scholarship is open to graduates from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Applicants must hold citizenship of one of these countries, have permanent residence in their home country at the time of application, and be under 30 years of age for Master’s applicants or under 35 years of age for PhD applicants on 1 October 2027.
DRK Foundation: Empowering Early-Stage Social Impact Organizations
Deadline: 30th of December 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage organizations working on innovative, scalable solutions to critical social and environmental challenges affecting underserved communities DRK focuses on supporting organizations that are problem-first, systems-thinking, scalable, geographically aligned, independent entities, financially sustainable, and able to demonstrate measurable evidence of impact.
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DRK Foundation supports its grantees and investees through a combination of capacity, capital, and community. At the core of its model is deep operational and technical support, which includes a dedicated hands-on Board service role and specialist capacity-building resources across leadership and board development, organizational and fundraising capacity building, financial sustainability, and scaling strategy thinking. One of DRK’s senior team members typically takes a board service role for a three-year period, offering guidance and often engaging in weekly conversations to help the organization navigate its path to scale. The broader DRK portfolio support team also provides targeted assistance, such as refining financial models, establishing a talent strategy, or enhancing fundraising capacity, with total in-kind support valued at up to $500,000 USD.
In addition to capacity support, DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, typically in multiple tranches. The structure and timing of funding are determined collaboratively with the organization during the closing process. Beyond direct support, DRK fosters community by convening its portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating both in-person and digital connections through small meetings, large gatherings, and a three-day annual portfolio retreat.
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DRK Foundation primarily funds organizations at the early stage, defined as post-pilot and pre-scale, where the program, product, or service is already in use and showing early impact on the intended beneficiaries. Organizations are typically two to five years old, though younger or older entities may also be considered. For for-profit organizations, DRK usually supports Seed to Series A ventures, generally refraining from leading investment rounds or participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.
Flagship Accelerator Program
Deadline: 31st of December 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Startup Wise Guys is offering an acceleration program designed to help early-stage B2B startups strengthen their business strategy, improve go-to-market execution, and scale through expert mentorship, funding support and access to a global startup ecosystem.
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The acceleration program provides tailored guidance and support from mentors and industry experts to help startups navigate company-building challenges and refine their market strategies. Participants gain access to a large network of mentors, investors, and fellow founders, creating opportunities for collaboration and long-term partnerships.
Selected startups can receive convertible investment funding of up to €100,000 with a program cost of €35,000, along with an opportunity for additional follow-on funding of up to €250,000. Over the course of three months, participating teams will take part in workshops and masterclasses covering areas such as product development, fundraising, technology solutions, pitching, and marketing strategies.
The program also includes networking events with mentors, investors, and founders, founder experience sessions featuring entrepreneurial journeys and lessons learned, intensive pitch practice sessions for Demo Day preparation, and personalized mentoring tailored to each startup’s business needs.
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The accelerator is intended for ambitious, goal-oriented early-stage B2B startups that are building for long-term growth. To be eligible for the full-time acceleration program, startups must have a working MVP, at least two co-founders or team members, and initial customer traction, monthly recurring revenue, or revenues
Phortify Internship (Traineeship) Grants - Pilot Call PHORTIFY
Deadline: 3rd of February 2027
Budget: €91,800
PHOtonics education netwoRk for nexT-gen Innovation and digital skills excellence For industrY and society
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Under this call, Phortify internships refer to short-term, practice-oriented placements, as foreseen in the Phortify Grant Agreement. They are learning-based activities and do not constitute employment.
The Phortify Internship Grants support both students enrolled in Phortify Master’s Degree Programmes and students who are not enrolled in a Phortify Master’s programme, provided that the internship is Phortify-labelled, aligned with the objectives of the Phortify project, and carried out in accordance with the Phortify Grant Agreement.
Participating partners:
Activer Fiber Systems (AFS):
ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences:
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e):
- Master of Science in Applied Physics
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering: track (1) Semicon Devices and track (2) Connected World Technologies
Warsaw University of Technology (WUT):
- Master of Science in Mechatronics
- Master of Science In Photonics
Friedrich Schiller University (FSU):
- Master of Science in Photonics
- Master of Science in Quantum Science & Technology
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The primary eligible applicants are:
· Students enrolled in specific PHORTIFY-linked programmes
You must be formally enrolled in a participating PHORTIFY Master’s programme
Specifically linked to:
Photonics / digital skills programmes within the PHORTIFY network
Example pathway:
Enrolled in MSc (e.g. at Vrije Universiteit Brussel or Ghent University)
Completing PHORTIFY-labelled courses (typically ≥30 ECTS)
Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Project - Pilot Call PHORTIFY
Deadline: 3rd of February 2027
Budget: €6,300
PHOtonics education netwoRk for nexT-gen Innovation and digital skills excellence For industrY and society
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Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects provide financial support to Master’s students undertaking a thesis project that is aligned with the thematic areas and objectives of the Phortify project and carried out in collaboration with an industrial or research partner of the Phortify consortium.
Under this pilot call, the grants support the carrying out of Master’s thesis projects offered by and implemented in collaboration with SMART Photonics, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in an industrial research and innovation environment while addressing real-world challenges in photonics and related digital technologies.
The grants are intended to contribute to costs directly related to the successful completion of the Master’s thesis project, including living, mobility, and other study-related expenses incurred during the thesis period, in line with the objectives of the Phortify project.
Participating partners:
SMART Photonics: https://smartphotonics.nl/
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The call is targeted exclusively at Master’s-level students:
· Students currently enrolled in a Master’s programme
· Thesis must be ongoing or planned
· Field must align with:
Photonics
Applied physics / engineering / related digital technologies
This is not an institutional grant — it is individual student funding (cascade funding).
Phortify Mobility Grants - Pilot Call PHORTIFY
Deadline: 3rd of February 2027
Budget: €18,200
PHOtonics education netwoRk for nexT-gen Innovation and digital skills excellence For industrY and society
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Phortify Mobility Grants provide financial support to students and doctoral candidates participating in short-term mobility activities such as workshops, summer schools, conferences, and other events relevant to the thematic areas and objectives of the Phortify project.
Supported activities are learning- and training-oriented, contribute to skills development in photonics and related digital technologies, and are implemented under the responsibility of Phortify partner institutions.
Participating partners:
Ghent University (UGENT):
- Master of Science in Photonics Engineering (120 ECTS)
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e):
- Master of Science in Applied Physics (120 ECTS)
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (120 ECTS): track (1) Semicon Devices and track (2) Connected World Technologies
Warsaw University of Technology (WUT):
- Master of Science in Mechatronics (90 ECTS)
- Master of Science In Photonics (90 ECTS)
Friedrich Schiller University (FSU):
- Master of Science in Photonics (120 ECTS)
- Master of Science in Quantum Science & Technology (120 ECTS)
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Primary target applicants:
· Students (Master’s level)
· Early-stage researchers
· Professionals in photonics or related fields
The programme is explicitly designed for:
· Individuals developing advanced digital/photonics skills
Participants linked to Phortify educational pathways
Call for Defence Electronics Manufacturing Support
Deadline: 16th of February 2026
Budget: €282,150,000
The focus areas, include industrial capacity expansion for electronic components, defence supply chain resilience, electronic manufacturing competitiveness, production scalability, risk mitigation and continuity, cybersecurity and physical protection of industrial sites, supply security for defence technologies, workforce training, lead-time reduction, capacity reservation, obsolescence management, and development of secure and resilient production ecosystems for defence-related electronics.
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The call aims to strengthen the competitiveness and responsiveness of the EU defence technological and industrial base by reinforcing production capacity for critical electronic components used across defence domains including land, air, naval, and underwater systems. These components are essential for systems such as unmanned platforms, missile technologies, communication networks, command and control systems, and surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
Supported activities focus on increasing EU production of guidance electronics, propulsion electronics, RF and laser modules, multispectral imaging systems, avionics, printed circuit boards, integrated circuit substrates, lithium-ion battery systems, and advanced semiconductor components. The objective is to reduce bottlenecks in defence manufacturing and ensure reliable availability of essential technologies.
Projects under this call are expected to deliver measurable improvements in production capacity, supply chain resilience, and operational security. Key performance indicators include throughput increases, reduced lead times, improved yield and quality, workforce training outcomes, and enhanced supply chain robustness. Additional requirements include risk management frameworks addressing industrial, supply, safety, and cybersecurity risks.
Applicants may also include optional measures for physical and cyber protection of production facilities, including threat assessment, cybersecurity certification alignment, and integration with broader European or national security systems. These measures aim to safeguard production continuity and reduce vulnerability to disruption or sabotage.
The total funding allocated under this call is €282,150,000.
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Eligible applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or associated eligible countries, with restrictions related to ownership and control by non-associated third countries unless specific exemptions or safeguards are provided.
SMALL-SCALE PARTNERSHIPS
Deadline: 22nd of March 2027
Budget: €15,000/ 30,000
Small-scale Partnerships are designed to widen access to the programme to small-scale actors and individuals who are hard to reach in the fields of school education, adult education, vocational education and training, youth and sport
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This action will also support flexible formats – mixing activities with transnational and national character although with a European dimension – allowing organisations to have more means to reach out to people with fewer opportunities. Small-scale Partnerships can also contribute to the creation and development of transnational networks and to fostering synergies with, and between, local, regional, national and international policies.
Actions must take place in EU member states and associated countries. A Small-scale Partnership is transnational and involves minimum two organisations from two different EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme
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Any participating organisation established in an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme can be the applicant. This organisation applies on behalf of all participating organisations involved in the project.
BILATERAL INITIATIVE
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €150,000
The EEA Civil Society Fund and this Call focus on supporting democracy, the protection of human rights and the development of civil society organisations with the aim of strengthening their resilience and long-term sustainability.
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A portion of the Bilateral Fund’s resources, amounting to €150,000, is earmarked for supporting bilateral initiatives. These grants enable organisations to develop and strengthen their expertise and cooperation, and to share knowledge, technology, experience and best practices. The grants are intended to fund bilateral activities and initiatives undertaken in collaboration with an organisation from one of the listed states. These activities may build upon or complement other grants awarded under the EEA Civil Society Fund.
Actions must take place in Czech Republic.
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Eligible Applicants are civil society organisations (CSOs) that are established in the Czech Republic or any of the Donor States, meet the one-year registration period requirement, and fall within the following definition: a non-profit organisation with a non-commercial purpose, independent of local, regional, and central governments, public entities, political parties, and commercial organisations.
Strategic Fund Supporting Women’s Rights and Gender Justice in Nigeria
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €1,200,000
The ActionAid Nigeria, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project, invites Expressions of Interest for the Strategic Opportunity Fund to support timely and impactful interventions that advance the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.
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The Strategic Opportunity Fund focuses on emergency interventions, critical advocacy interventions, and protection and support for women human rights defenders, with an emphasis on rapid response, gender equality, gender justice, systemic change, and inclusion of structurally excluded groups. The Strategic Opportunity Fund is designed as a fast, responsive funding mechanism to enable women’s rights organizations, women’s rights networks, and women human rights defenders to implement short-term interventions that deliver immediate and measurable benefits for women and girls. The fund supports rapid action to protect rights, sustain advocacy, and respond effectively to emerging gender-related challenges, particularly in crisis or rapidly evolving contexts.
Funding under the Emergency Intervention Fund provides grants of up to N10,000,000 per project, with up to twelve grants awarded annually. The Critical Intervention Fund offers grants of up to N6,000,000 per project, with up to thirteen grants available each year. The Women Human Rights Defenders Intervention Fund provides grants of up to N17,711,495 per project, with up to four grants awarded annually.
Applicants may apply under only one funding category. The Emergency Intervention Fund supports responses to urgent or unforeseen situations such as natural disasters, conflict-related crises, political instability, or sudden policy changes that negatively affect women and girls. The Critical Intervention Fund supports short-term advocacy and strategic opportunities aimed at influencing policy change, amplifying women’s voices, and strengthening women’s movement building efforts. The Women Human Rights Defenders Intervention Fund provides protection and emergency assistance to women human rights defenders facing threats, intimidation, or violence as a result of their activism, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and continued engagement.
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The call is open to women-led organizations, women’s rights networks, and women human rights defenders operating in Nigeria. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that their proposed intervention is strategic, time-sensitive, and capable of achieving measurable impact for women and girls. Proposals should clearly show how the intervention advances gender equality and gender justice, contributes to systemic change, and complements existing initiatives. Applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to implement the intervention within a short timeframe. Priority is given to initiatives supporting structurally excluded groups, including women and girls with disabilities, those in conflict settings, women and girls on the move or returnees, female inmates, survivors of gender-based violence, out-of-school girls, elderly women, and women in politics.
OPEC FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM 2025
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: € Not available
The OPEC Fund for International Development is accepting applications for its grant program to provide financial assistance to developing countries, particularly low-income countries, in support of their economic and social development efforts.
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Under its grant program, OPEC Fund could extend three types of grants:
Grants for country-specific activities and projects:
This type of grant could cover any of the following activities:
Technical assistance grants for project preparation, including prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and final design of projects where there is potential for OPEC Fund’s participation;
Grant components of a larger project and program financed by the OPEC Fund through its public sector (sovereign loans) and/or private sector and trade finance facilities;
Institutional capacity building of relevant government agencies of partner countries (training of staff in project design, preparation, monitoring and evaluation) with the aim of facilitating the implementation of OPEC Fund operations and helping these agencies better prepare future projects;
Stand-alone projects or activities that are not directly linked to a specific OPEC Fund project
Grants for special development initiatives of global or regional scope:
This type of grant supports selected initiatives and programs aimed at addressing development challenges faced by OPEC Fund’s partner countries and which require a high level of cross-border cooperation.
Emergency aid grants:
OPEC Fund provides this type of grant in support of humanitarian relief operations, including material or logistical assistance delivered for humanitarian purposes. This aid also supports interventions aimed at rehabilitating basic infrastructure and restoring access to basic services in partner countries in the aftermath of conflicts or natural disasters.
Priority Sectors and Areas
While the OPEC Fund has financed projects in agriculture, energy, health, transportation and water and sanitation sectors, it aims to be a demand-driven organization responsive to the needs of its partner countries.
In addition, and as noted earlier, it provides emergency aid assistance and supports selected regional and global initiatives, especially those addressing priority issues in the sustainable development agenda.
Funding Information
The amount of OPEC Fund contribution will vary according to the scope and the nature of the proposed grant activity or project. However, and with the exception of emergency aid and small grants in amounts of up to US$100,000, OPEC Fund’s contribution to a stand-alone project should not exceed 50% of the total cost of the said project.
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In line with the Agreement establishing the OPEC Fund, developing countries other than OPEC Member Countries are eligible for OPEC Fund’s grant assistance, with special consideration to the needs of LDCs.
While the main criteria for extending a grant will be the developmental impact of the activity or project concerned, for country-specific grants, particularly those linked to OPEC Fund’s sovereign operations, other criteria will be also considered. These include countries’ capacities as well as special circumstances. In this regard, and in recognition of their special circumstances and specific development challenges, the OPEC Fund will extend grants in support of selected initiatives targeting small island development states (SIDS), and conflict-affected and fragile states, especially SIDS that are also categorized by the United Nations as LDCs.
Eligible Partners
Eligible partners are any government or non-government entity, including cofinancing partners, private sector entities, research entities, UN agencies and international NGOs.
All grantees, should meet the following eligibility criteria:
Provide evidence of currently valid legal registration under the laws of the country in which they operate, as well as evidence of a certificate to do business in the country in which they intend to carry out the relevant activity, if different from the place of legal registration.
Have a good track record in the implementation of OPEC Fund projects and activities, and in the case of new partners, a good track record in executing/implementing similar donor Funded projects in the targeted region and country;
Have proven technical expertise in the area/sector covered;
Have appropriate organizational and management capacity, and show the existence of a sound financial system, including clear accounting and budgeting standards, audited financial statements that are audited by a registered auditor, a transparent budgeting process, and other indicators that confirm their capacity to assume fiduciary (supervision and implementation) responsibility for OPEC Fund.
GENDER EQUALITY GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting partners with individual journalists and news organizations to support in-depth, high-impact reporting on topics of global importance, including investigations of systemic problems that are often overlooked by mainstream U.S. media. They accept applications to fund reporting projects from freelance and staff journalists as well as assignment editors at news outlets.
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Women and girls are disproportionately affected by global crises and face discrimination and violence worldwide. In the fight against the disparities they endure, they show resilience, strength, and leadership. The Gender Equality Grant is designed to help journalists take to a new level the reporting on issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. They value stories that elevate the voices of communities not often represented in the media, stories of resilience, and projects that tackle systemic issues of gender equality using data and investigative reporting.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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Grants are open to U.S. residents and journalists around the world. They are open to proposals from freelance journalists, staff journalists, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. They want to make sure that people from many backgrounds and perspectives are empowered to produce journalism. They strongly encourage proposals from journalists and newsrooms who represent a broad array of social, racial, ethnic, underrepresented groups, and economic backgrounds.
AI REPORTING GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Pulitzer Center seeks applications for the reporting initiative focused on AI and surveillance technologies and their impact on communities around the world. They value accountability and data reporting, collaborations, and cross-discipline approaches. Staff and freelance journalists are eligible. They welcome in-depth stories that explore with nuance how AI systems are designed, sold and deployed in communities around the world.
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They encourage applications for all formats of reporting and also on lesser reported topics, including:
AI industry supply chains
Procurement processes for algorithmic and surveillance systems
Environmental impacts of AI
AI & disinformation networks
AI warfare
AI regulation and governance
Actions can take place worldwide.
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Grants are open to all journalists: writers, photographers, radio producers, and filmmakers; staff journalists as well as freelancers.
UNSOLICITED CONCEPT NOTES WITH IDRC
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €400,000 up to 120m
The IDRC’s mandate is to conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions. In doing so, they make an important contribution to Canada’s foreign policy.
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They fund research in the areas of:
· Climate-Resilient Food Systems: they fund research that helps build inclusive and sustainable food systems. Their work helps develop resilience among communities severely affected by climate change and address emerging health threats that arise from food systems.
· Health: they strengthen health systems and policies so they can deliver better maternal and child health, improved sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls, and more effective and equitable preparedness and responses to epidemics.
· Education and Science: they support research to ensure children and youth from vulnerable populations are in school and benefit from high-quality education. They also support women’s leadership in strong science systems that produce knowledge and innovation and improve lives.
· Democratic and Inclusive Governance: they invest in research and innovation so that people around the world can enjoy the benefits that democracy and inclusive governance bring to everyday life. Their work on democracy and how countries are governed supports tangible improvements for everyone, especially women, minorities, refugees, and other groups that are denied their rightful place in civic life.
· Sustainable Inclusive Economies: they build the evidence base to support sustainable development that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. They enhance climate resiliency, foster shared prosperity, and expand economic opportunities for women and youth.
They are working in selected countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
Developing-country researchers, institutions, and Canadian researchers are eligible.
P4G CALL FOR PARTNERSHIPS APPLICATION
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €350,000
P4G is now accepting applications for partnerships working on climate mitigation or adaptation solutions in the areas of food, energy and water. Partnerships must comprise at least one early-stage business and one nonprofit organization implementing in one of P4G’s ODA-eligible partner countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam. Applicants must provide services or products that contribute to poverty alleviation, gender equity and economic growth in one of the following sub-sectors: climate-smart agriculture, food loss and waste, water resilience, zero emission mobility and renewable energy.
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P4G will provide grant funding and technical assistance to help the early-stage business in the partnership become investment ready. To be considered for the next funding round, partnerships should submit their proposal by March 7, 2025. All applications must be submitted in English.
The program is open to partnerships operating in P4G’s ODA-eligible partner countries, which include Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
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The eligibility criteria require partnerships to comprise at least one early-stage climate business and one NGO administrative partner. Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the sectoral, policy, and regulatory environment in their country, along with skills in business, financial, social, environmental development, and grant management. The proposed climate business solution should be innovative and at a seed or post-seed financing stage with a clear path to commercialization or capital raising. Additionally, applicants must show their project’s potential for climate, economic growth, poverty reduction, gender, and development impact, and adhere to responsible business conduct, including having an ESG plan or developing one.
GRANTS FROM CRAIGSLIST CHARITABLE FUND (CCF)
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €1,000,000
The craigslist Charitable Fund (CCF) supports organizations working to improve planetary health and well-being for all of Earth’s inhabitants, including humans, by ending factory farming and all other forms of animal exploitation.
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Specific areas of interest include: animal suffering; antibiotic resistance; biodiversity loss; cancer; cardiovascular disease; climate change; coastal dead zones; deforestation; dementia; diabetes; food insecurity; land misuse; ocean degradation; pandemic risk;
soil erosion; social injustices; toxic waste; violence; and, zoonotic diseases.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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They are open to a variety of approaches to ending animal exploitation, particularly ones that promise an efficient, scalable and long-lasting impact. They are open to applications from organizations around the world, regardless of 501(c)3 status.
GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR GRASSROOTS AND HUMAN SECURITY PROJECTS (GGP) – RWANDA
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: 10m YEN
In 1989, the Government of Japan introduced Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP/kusanone) in order to respond to the diverse development needs in developing countries. The aim of GGP is to provide financial assistance to non- profit development organizations for implementation of projects at community level. In Rwanda, 2 projects are selected per year.
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The following areas are considered as deserving priority:
Education
Water and Sanitation
Health
Agriculture Development
Poverty Reduction
Actions must be implemented in Rwanda.
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Support is provided to Community-Based Organizations; Local or International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); Local authority (Ex. City Council, District); Educational Institutions (Ex. School Management Committee, schools); Medical or Health Institutions (Ex. Hospital Management Committee); Research Institutions.
EMERGENCY GRANTS FROM FREE RIVERS FUND
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Free Rivers Fund (FRF) supports initiatives and actions in defence of free flowing rivers. Partnering with the paddle sports industry they provide grants for activist and conservation groups that commit to the fight to protect rivers from dams and development.
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Free Rivers Fund aims to support those initiatives that most urgently need funding. No matter if you have been an organization for several years already or if you are just starting out with a bunch of ideas but no results to show, they are looking forward to receiving your application: If you are fighting for free flowing rivers: please apply!
They are now able to set up a fund for urgent action projects. They offer their new “Emergency Grant”. Everyone can apply for it with just an e-mail – all year round. The purpose is to help initiatives that have just formed in order to prevent a dam. You can apply, if (1) your project aims at direct action against a proposed dam; (2) your project is new; (3) your project is run by a single person, a group or a newly formed organisation.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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Your project must be run by a single person, a group or a newly formed organisation.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €400,000 per project
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) invites proposals for its grant program. The IAF funds the self-help efforts of grassroots groups in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve living conditions of the disadvantaged and the excluded, enhance their capacity for decision-making and self-governance, and develop partnerships with the public sector, business and civil society. The IAF does not identify problems or suggest projects; instead it responds to initiatives presented. Projects are selected for funding on their merits rather than by sector.
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The IAF looks for the following in a project it funds: (1) innovative solutions to development problems; (2) diverse array of community voices in project development and execution; (3) substantial beneficiary engagement in: the identification of the problem addressed, the approach chosen to solve it, the design of the project, and management and evaluation of activities; (4) partnerships with local government, the business community and other civil society organizations; and (5) evidence of beneficiaries’ enhanced capacity for self-governance.
The IAF only supports projects in independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (excl. Cuba, Venezuela).
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Non-profit organisations (civil society groups) are eligible to apply. They only support projects submitted by community-led groups that are based in independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
SPECIAL FOCUS CALL FROM RECONSTRUCTION WOMEN’S FUND
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
Reconstruction Women’s Fund is the first local women’s Foundation in Serbia, established in 2004. The mission of the Fund is to support and maintain the feminist political platform against the war, against nationalism, racism and militarism, and against the violence and any form of discrimination against women.
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The Fund aims to (1) support autonomy of women’s groups, whose programs affect the public and lead to strategic changes, (2) to strengthen their networking, cooperation, solidarity and visibility, and (3) to stimulate communication and exchange of women’s activist, academic, artistic and pacifist experience and knowledge.
Special Focus program has been dedicated to pick the point of feminist activism. Since its very beginning the program was oriented to learning and sharing knowledge on critical issues, communication and massive campaigns including strong support to Roma women’s activism. The program has been increasingly developing as one of RWF’s grantmaking programs, getting profile of vivid laboratory for engaged initiatives in progress. They shall highlight our rooted concerns: militarism, nationalism, racism. The aim is understanding, sharing, identifying and supporting activities confronting the origins of the current politics.
They fund projects in Serbia.
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Applications can be submitted by formal and informal (unregistered) groups in Serbia.
GRANTS FROM DORY FOUNDATION
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €250,000
The Dory Foundation provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to support promising early- to mid-stage non-profit initiatives. They don’t have a specific thematic focus, but their vision anticipates a future where AI significantly reshapes traditional work.
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Funding criteria includes:
· Impact and Cost-Effectiveness: The program shows strong potential to create meaningful impact relative to its budget.
· Team Strength: The founders and team have the right skills, knowledge, and mindset to make the program a success.
· Sustainability: There is a clear vision for scaling and sustaining the program over time.
· Focus on Results: The program uses relevant metrics and demonstrates a strong commitment to measuring its impact.
Actions can take place anywhere.
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They generally fund 501(c)(3) organizations or their international equivalents. However, individuals intending to set up a charity are welcome to apply, and for exceptional applications, they may provide support for setting up a legal entity or working with a fiscal sponsor.
GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR GRASSROOTS AND HUMAN SECURITY PROJECTS (GGP) – PALESTINE
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
As part of its Official Development Assistance (ODA), the Government of Japan has offered financial aid particularly for development projects initiated by local communities in order to meet a diversity of basic human needs at the grassroots level. Known as the “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, this aid scheme provides funds for organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local authorities on a project basis
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The “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)” first aims to better ensure “human security” through implementing projects to empower people and communities and address basic human needs in such fields as health, basic education, water supply, poverty alleviation, and any other fields related to basic human needs. The GGP also aims to foster peace-building from the bottom by assisting local organizations, including local councils, in establishing social and economic infrastructure at the community level. Such bottom-up approach is complementary to the efforts exerted by the central government towards establishing a viable Palestinian state.
Actions must take place in Palestine.
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Eligible are: Officially recognized as a non-profit organization (non-governmental organization, village/local/municipal council, educational institution, medical institution, cooperatives, etc.)
BESSY FERRERA FUND
Deadline: ONGOING
Budget: €100,000
LGBTIQ+ activists are all too often the targets of hateful political campaigns and face discrimination and violence. The threats they face are not only physical; digital hacks and legal prosecutions also endanger their safety. To help LGBTIQ+ activists out of life-threatening situations worldwide, Hivos set up the Bessy Ferrera Fund. Since 2022, the fund has helped up to 100 people and organizations around the world.
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Supported by Dutch individual donors, the fund is meant for LGBTIQ+ activists and organizations in restrictive environments facing severe threats for their activism. In times of crisis, these activists urgently need resources to ensure their safety. Whether covering medical bills, purchasing a plane ticket to relocate, securing websites, or replacing equipment after office break-ins, quick action is essential. The Bessy Ferrera Fund provides them immediate support. By working through trusted referrals (including Hivos colleagues and other trusted third parties), they can quickly vet and process their applications.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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The applicant must be an LGBTIQ+ activist, organization, or community working with Hivos or Hivos’ partners; is facing immediate threats due to their advocacy and work. The emergency must have occurred within the last three to four months. The requested funds must directly relate to addressing the emergency (e.g., medical costs, security, relocation). Two positive references are needed, or one positive reference from Hivos if the applicant works directly with Hivos.
Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Civic Emergency Fund provides fast, flexible support to civil society actors facing urgent or escalating pressure that hinders their work in the public interest. It responds to situations that fall outside standard grant mechanisms, providing timely and proportionate support to reduce immediate risk and help organizations and activists continue operating safely in restrictive civic environments.
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The Civic Emergency Fund supports urgent and proportionate actions that help civil society actors mitigate immediate harm, manage acute pressure, and safeguard their ability to continue operating. Support is tailored to the situation and focused on addressing concrete risks related to legal pressure, safety and security, psychological well-being, and the ability to continue operating.
The Fund operates in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
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The Fund is open to civil society actors facing direct pressure or restrictive actions related to their work in the public interest. This includes watchdog organizations, human rights and feminist groups, minority-led initiatives, independent non-profit media, environmental organizations, and groups representing marginalized communities, etc. Informal groups, movements, and individual activists, including journalists, may also be supported through a fiscal agent (registered organizations) or by direct payment of costs. The Fund prioritizes safety-focused and confidential forms of assistance.
P4G CALL FOR PARTNERSHIPS APPLICATION
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €350,000 per project
P4G is now accepting applications for partnerships working on climate mitigation or adaptation solutions in the areas of food, energy and water. Partnerships must comprise at least one early-stage business and one nonprofit organization implementing in one of P4G’s ODA-eligible partner countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam.
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Applicants must provide services or products that contribute to poverty alleviation, gender equity and economic growth in one of the following sub-sectors: climate-smart agriculture, food loss and waste, water resilience, zero emission mobility and renewable energy.
P4G will provide grant funding and technical assistance to help the early-stage business in the partnership become investment ready. To be considered for the next funding round, partnerships should submit their proposal by March 7, 2025. All applications must be submitted in English.
The program is open to partnerships operating in P4G’s ODA-eligible partner countries, which include Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
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The eligibility criteria require partnerships to comprise at least one early-stage climate business and one NGO administrative partner. Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the sectoral, policy, and regulatory environment in their country, along with skills in business, financial, social, environmental development, and grant management. The proposed climate business solution should be innovative and at a seed or post-seed financing stage with a clear path to commercialization or capital raising. Additionally, applicants must show their project’s potential for climate, economic growth, poverty reduction, gender, and development impact, and adhere to responsible business conduct, including having an ESG plan or developing one.
DEVELOPPP.DE CLASSIC
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €2,000,000
Through the develoPPP.de programme, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides companies investing in developing and emerging countries with financial and, if required, also professional support.
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Submitted projects have to meet the development-policy criteria of the German government, like for example promoting sustainable economic development, strengthening human rights, social and environmental standards, education, food security.
In concrete terms, this can mean:
· Improving environmental and social standards in supply chains
· Creating decent jobs and improved working conditions
· Supporting women and marginalised groups, in particular, with careers and entrepreneurship
· Implementing measures that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation
· Taking measures to protect the natural environment, for example through sustainable cultivation methods, saving water in production processes, and avoiding and recycling waste
· Creating access to health care services
Selected countries as listed in the OECD-DAC list are eligible (Africa, Asia, America, Europe).
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Applications are open to German companies and companies registered in the EU, as well as companies in developing and emerging countries (as listed on the OECD-DAC list) in which EU-registered companies or European nationals own at least a 25% share. Any company that applies must meet the following minimum requirements: annual turnover of at least €800,000, 8 employees and three years of business operations. Although associations, foundations, non-governmental organisations, foreign chambers of commerce or registered associations are not themselves eligible to apply, they are entitled to participate in develoPPP.de projects as project partners of the applicant company.
DIGITAL RESILIENCY GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund (CRF) and the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) are offering rapid-response resiliency grants, especially for local civil society actors facing imminent civic space restrictions, struggles, threats and barriers that prevent them from continuing their work towards more inclusive democracy in the digital age.
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The goal of the grants provided by the CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund and the Digital Democracy Initiative is to help civil society become more resilient against civic space challenges faced when promoting more inclusive democracy in the digital age. Therefore, the grants support resiliency responses or activities that proactively avoid and mitigate imminent civic space restrictions, struggles, threats and barriers and/or “help civil society continue to do work” towards more inclusive democracy. These responses could focus on helping mitigate digital threats, threats to digital civic rights, threats to civic engagement and inclusive democracy in the digital space, and broader civic space threats (including offline threats) that could be countered or mitigated by using digital technology and building digital resilience.
Actions can take place worldwide.
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Applicants must be a local civil society organisation, group or social movement (either formal or informal) working to expand civic and democratic freedoms and promote inclusive democracy in the digital age. The grants are not awarded to individuals.
ADVOCACY SUPPORT (DIRECT LOGISTICAL ASSISTANCE)
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
Advocacy Support is for women human rights defenders (WHRDs), from or working in crisis / conflict affected countries, who are seeking logistical support to participate, either individually or as a delegation, in a meeting, event or decision-making process, which contributes to their advocacy work in promoting human rights. This can be at the local, regional, or international level.
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To maximize impact, the mechanism will prioritize applications to attend fora where women have been traditionally marginalized, including spaces related to, among others, disarmament, counterterrorism, human rights, drugs and crime, harm reduction networks, digitalization, climate change, land rights, and international financial institutions.
Actions can take place in various countries from the OECD DAC list.
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The applicant must carry out – individually or in association/coalition with others, formally or informally – acts to promote or protect human rights, including women’s rights, in a peaceful manner at the local, national, regional, or international level.
NESTLÉ FOUNDATION TRAINING GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition with public health relevance in low-income and lower middle-income countries. The Training Grant (TG) Program supports a small research project such as a MSc or PhD thesis project or another training endeavor.
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At present the Foundation’s work is primarily concerned with human nutrition research issues dealing with: (1) maternal and child nutrition, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding; (2) macro- and micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances; (3) interactions between infection and nutrition, and (4) nutrition education and health promotion.
Studies in other areas of human nutrition research might also be considered, as long as they are dealing with problems of malnutrition in eligible countries. Other areas of research may be eventually considered for support if the applicant can offer specific and convincing evidence and justification for the choice of their research topic.
The Foundation engages in activities that are in low-income and lower middle-income countries as according to the World Bank.
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Individual researchers/organisations can apply.
NESTLÉ FOUNDATION RESEARCH GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €300,000 per project
The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition with public health relevance in low-income and lower middle-income countries. The Small Research Grant (SRG) provides support of a small research study. The Large Research Grant (LRG) is a full grant application of a complete research proposal according to the guidelines.
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At present the Foundation’s work is primarily concerned with human nutrition research issues dealing with: (1) maternal and child nutrition, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding; (2) macro- and micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances; (3) interactions between infection and nutrition, and (4) nutrition education and health promotion.
Studies in other areas of human nutrition research might also be considered, as long as they are dealing with problems of malnutrition in eligible countries. Other areas of research may be eventually considered for support if the applicant can offer specific and convincing evidence and justification for the choice of their research topic.
The Foundation engages in activities that are in low-income and lower middle-income countries as according to the World Bank.
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Individual researchers/organisations can apply.
NESTLÉ FOUNDATION PILOT GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition with public health relevance in low-income and lower middle-income countries. The Pilot Grant (PG) Program provides support for pilot research that has a high potential to lead to a subsequent full research project grant.
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At present the Foundation’s work is primarily concerned with human nutrition research issues dealing with: (1) maternal and child nutrition, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding; (2) macro- and micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances; (3) interactions between infection and nutrition, and (4) nutrition education and health promotion.
Studies in other areas of human nutrition research might also be considered, as long as they are dealing with problems of malnutrition in eligible countries. Other areas of research may be eventually considered for support if the applicant can offer specific and convincing evidence and justification for the choice of their research topic.
The Foundation engages in activities that are in low-income and lower middle-income countries as according to the World Bank.
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Individual researchers/organisations are eligible.
QUICK-RESPONSE SMALL PROJECTS/ACTIONS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €300,000
EEA Civil Society Fund has launched an open call for rapid actions in the areas of protection of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, media literacy, gender equality, and environmental protection. The main purpose is to support organisations in urgent advocacy, legal, communication and other actions designed as an immediate response to various challenges (e.g. pressure on different operations; disinformation; hate speech; violations of rights of specific groups; legislative changes harmful to democracy). It also aims to enhance the role of NGOs in shaping local or national level policies (e.g. responding to regulations in the making; applying pressure for a solution to start taking shape).
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Applicants must take into account that:
· in the field of environmental protection and climate change, only actions related to public participation, advocacy, strategic litigation, social innovation, and active citizenship will be supported;
· activities related to welfare provision and basic social services will only be supported in the context of broader public awareness, advocacy, empowerment, and initiative-building actions;
· the involvement of young people (in public mobilisation and campaign implementation) is particularly encouraged.
Actions must take place in Slovenia.
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Eligible applicants are non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in compliance with the conditions set in the Article 2 of the Non-governmental Organisations Act (Official Gazette of Republic of Slovenia no. 21 /18) and if they meet requirements set in the Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA).
GLOBAL GRANTS FROM ROTARY FOUNDATION
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €30,000-400,000
The Rotary Foundation helps fund humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives. The Foundation also leads the charge on worldwide Rotary campaigns such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Rotarians and friends of Rotary support the Foundation’s work through voluntary contributions. Their main international program is called global grants and can fund activities in health, education, peace, water and sanitation, mother and child as well as environment. The total annual giving for global grants is around $55 million (app. 1000 grants). The majority is going to health.
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Global grants can fund:
· Humanitarian projects
· Scholarships for graduate-level academic studies
· Vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about their field or to learn more about it themselves
They fund projects worldwide.
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Eligible are Rotary Clubs that have qualified in order to receive grant funding from The Rotary Foundation.
EMERGENCY GRANTS FROM AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE FUND (AWHF)
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization created in 2006 to support the effective conservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa.
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The main objective of the AWHF is to address the challenges faced by African State Parties in the implementation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the insufficient conservation and management of these sites.
Emergency grants to rescue sites in disaster situation and requiring emergent assistance. Funds permitted, the emergency grants are accessible anytime during the year.
Funds are accessible to all African countries that are Member States to the World Heritage Convention. These include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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Eligible are Government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage Sites.
GOOGLE TRAVEL AND CONFERENCE GRANTS
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €3,000
To help break down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from attending leading conferences, they are offering Google Travel and Conference Grants for selected conferences in the fields of technology and business.
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Grants are available in North America for all traditionally underrepresented groups in technology (including, but not limited to, Black, Latinx, Native Americans, persons with disabilities, women and veterans), in Europe for women in technology, in India and in Africa for students who have their research papers accepted at top-tier conferences in Computer Science and related areas.
Actions must take place in Africa, Europe, India, North America.
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Grant eligibility varies by region, so please review the information on the region-specific tabs on their website. In general, individuals are eligible.
Grants Available for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Projects (UK)
Deadline: ongoing
Budget: €100,000
The Rufford Foundation provides funding opportunities for early-career conservationists to support small-scale projects focused on protecting nature and biodiversity.
The project focus areas include nature conservation, particular species, threatened habitats, human-wildlife conflict, and community education.
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The Foundation supports fieldwork costs for eligible projects and prioritises small-scale or pilot initiatives where funding can cover between 50% and 100% of project costs. Projects must have a nature conservation focus and applicants must be working in an eligible country.
Projects focusing on species are considered for work involving species that are not listed as Least Concern at a global level in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as well as species that have not been assessed but are considered globally threatened.
The Rufford Foundation does not support projects involving pure research without clear conservation benefits, expeditions, conference or seminar attendance, or book publishing.
The Foundation provides a staged funding process through four types of grants: the 1st Rufford Small Grant of up to £7,000, the 2nd Rufford Small Grant of up to £8,000, the Booster Grant of up to £12,000, and the Completion Grant of up to £18,000.
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The grants are designed for applicants in the early stages of their conservation careers, especially those undertaking an MSc or PhD or who have graduated from such studies within the past three years.
Inclusive Incubation and Finance for More Entrepreneurs ESF-2026-SE-INCUBATION
Deadline: 2nd of September
Budget: €1,500,000
The general objective of this Call for proposals is to promote inclusive entrepreneurship across the European Union by supporting incubation models and financing solutions that enable new and aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented groups in entrepreneurship to start, sustain and scale viable business activities. Under this Call, incubation services include acceleration services.
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Expected Outcome:
Actions funded under this Call are expected to contribute to:
· Increased participation of under-represented groups in entrepreneurial activities;
· Improved access to tailored incubation services and financing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs facing structural barriers;
· Enhanced entrepreneurial skills, business readiness and sustainability of supported enterprises;
· Strengthened cooperation between incubation providers, financial actors and employment or social inclusion stakeholders;
· Development of innovative, evidence-based approaches, as a possible source of inspiration for other initiatives;
· Improved knowledge and policy learning regarding effective inclusive entrepreneurship support mechanisms.
In the longer term, the Call is expected to contribute to more inclusive labour markets, job creation, strengthened social economy ecosystems and reduced inequalities in access to entrepreneurship opportunities within the European Union.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
− be legal entities (public or private bodies)
− be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries:
listed EEA countries and countries associated to the ESF+ (list of
participating countries), or
countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association
agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant
signature.
Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register — before
submitting the proposal — and will have to be validated by the Central Validation
Service (REA Validation). For the validation, they will be requested to upload documents
showing legal status and origin.
Other entities may participate in other consortium roles, such as associated partners,
subcontractors, third parties giving in-kind contributions, etc
Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence
Deadline: 2nd of September
Budget: €18,000,000
Strengthen health systems, capacity and partnership to enhance the development and use of existing and new digital health records and tools, leveraging machine learning and AI, aiming to prevent, detect or treat infectious diseases in the scope of Global Health EDCTP3 in SSA, enabling health care workers, government, and policy makers to make informed clinical decisions or implement well-informed epidemic preparedness measures
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Expected Impact:
The actions funded under this topic should contribute to strengthening clinical human capital base in R&I, enhancing talent retention, knowledge sharing of best practices within the research and innovation landscape, accelerate integration of digital tools into health systems, expand and scale up validated innovations with tangible implementation at national and/or sub-regional levels.
Applicant consortium
If requested by the applicant consortia, the EDCTP Association may offer technical support for the preparation of their proposal, in particular because of the lump sum nature of the Grant Agreement. The applicant consortia may also decide to include the EDCTP Association as coordinator. In that case, the applicant consortia should contact the EDCTP Association to obtain the estimated amount of the Association’s contribution as well as any other relevant information. The EDCTP Association will timely provide the necessary information to all potential applicants.
Expected Outcome:
Background
Digital health has the potential to reshape and enable the implementation of integrated research and healthcare delivery across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), especially in communities that are underserved or hard to reach. With tools such as mobile health platforms, electronic health records, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), health services can become more efficient and accessible, responding to the needs of strengthening the research and development settings in SSA. Despite the ongoing rapid advances, SSA countries are still lagging behind, and there is an increasing gap with the developed world where digital innovation and machine learning is expected to deliver significant changes to healthcare. Digital tools currently in use are fragmented, incompatible with each other, and limited in their reach. In addition, the use of AI is creating more opportunities, but there is a need to ensure future technologies are based on models that include data from SSA countries.
Recent strategies, including the WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025), the African Union’s Digital Health Framework, and the Africa CDC’s Digital Transformation Strategy, call for urgent action. These frameworks emphasise the need to invest in people-focused, sustainable digital solutions that are locally informed and globally aligned.
This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) focuses on addressing these disparities. It aims to bring together national governments, regional institutions, researchers, healthcare providers, and private sector partners to better coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and build the infrastructure needed to support inclusive, scalable digital health systems.
By aligning with these strategic directions, this CSA promotes a shared vision: one where digital innovation strengthens local health systems rather than working in silos. The goal is not to create new technologies, but to make better use of what already exists by improving coordination, strengthening human capacity, and supporting evidence-based policies and investments that can unlock the true potential of digital health across the region.
Expected Outcomes
The proposals submitted under this topic should aim to deliver results contributing to at least two of the below:
· Scaled-up implementation of validated digital innovations at national or sub-regional level.
· Improved data interoperability and data harmonisation of electronic health records between different digital health systems according to international standards.
· Integrated comprehensive roadmap for the sustainable and scalable integration of digital health tools into clinical trials and public health systems in SSA, in line with international standards and local ethical standards, and in the context of sharing of best practices.
· Increased retention of skilled experts in digital health, epidemiology, bioinformatics, AI in SSA.
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Entities eligible to participate
Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-
associated third countries or international organisations (including international European
research organisations4) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not),
provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation5 have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting their application, in order to get a participant identification code (PIC) and be validated by the Central Validation Service before signing the grant agreement. For the validation, they will be asked to upload the necessary documents showing their legal status and origin during the grant preparation stage. A validated PIC is not a prerequisite for submitting an application.
Applications open for BraveTech EU Technology Challenges
Deadline: 6th of September
Budget: €1,500,000
The BraveTech EU Technology Challenges invites Ukrainian and EU defense manufacturers to apply for technology challenges focused on new defense solutions. The BraveTech EU program, a flagship European initiative, is designed to harness advanced technological solutions from Ukrainian and European Union defense manufacturers to meet critical needs on the Ukrainian front and bolster Europe’s overall defense capabilities
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The DefTech Forges initiative organizes a series of on-site competitions designed to identify and support the development of defense and dual-use technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above. The program aims to strengthen Europe's defense system and address the specific needs of the Ukrainian front.
The primary goal of the grant program is to identify and fund new technological solutions that directly address the needs of the Ukrainian front while simultaneously strengthening Europe’s overall defense system.
Selected participants will compete for grants of €120,000, with six winners—three from each event—receiving this funding. These teams also gain the potential to secure up to €750,000 in further funding through subsequent testing with the European Defence Agency (EDA).
The application period concludes on September 6. Following selection, the DefTech Forge testing stage will be conducted across two on-site events tentatively scheduled for November 9–13 in Germany and Romania.
Eligible technologies must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above to qualify for the program.
Manufacturers must complete several stages to qualify for a grant. The process begins with application submission by September 6. An independent expert panel, including military personnel and technical mentors, will then select 40 solutions. These selected participants will be divided into two groups of 20 teams for on-site DefTech Forges events, where they will test their technologies and receive direct feedback. Following these tests, six winners will be chosen to receive grants, with potential for further funding and testing with the European Defence Agency (EDA).
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The program is open to Ukrainian manufacturers and companies from European Union member states. Eligible applicants must be developing defense and dual-use technologies that have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher.
EFCSN Database Grants for European Fact-Checking Organisations
Deadline: 6th of September
Budget: €860,000
The EFCSN Database Grants provide financial support to certified fact-checking organisations in Europe to contribute fact-checks and technical infrastructure to a shared European fact-check database.
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The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) launched the Database Grants as part of the FACTEUR project to strengthen the infrastructure and collaboration of the European fact-checking community. This initiative aims to build a centralised database of fact-check articles, verified disinformation appearances, and related metadata, serving as a vital resource for fact-checkers and stakeholders across Europe.
The grants specifically support certified fact-checking organisations in setting up workflows and technical systems to contribute their fact-checks to the shared database. Grantees are expected to provide full-text fact-checks, review and annotate AI-generated metadata, and grant licensing rights for their data to EFCSN under fair and reasonable conditions. The program also encourages ongoing data contribution beyond the project period, governed by a data licensing agreement.
The total call budget is €860,000, with a maximum grant amount of €70,000 per project and a funding rate of 50%. Grants are awarded as lump sums, with the final amount determined by the size of the applicant’s organisation and the number of fact-checks contributed. The grant duration is 24 months, and payments are structured in three phases: upon signature, after interim report approval, and after final report approval. Eligible costs include personnel, subcontracting, travel, and indirect costs.
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Eligible applicants must be legal entities (for-profit or non-profit) that are EFCSN-certified fact-checking organisations or teams, with a demonstrable focus on a Council of Europe member country, Kosovo, Belarus, or Russia. Applicants must publish at least four human-authored fact-checking articles per month and be based in the European Union or DEP-associated countries. Only single organisations may apply; consortia are not eligible.
AI-BOOST
Deadline: 8th of September
Budget: €535,000
The AI-BOOST open innovation competition features four generative AI challenges with application deadlines ending on August 25 and September 8, 2026. insights.Mobility: Optimizing smart transport, routing, and urban traffic frameworks.
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Funded by the European Commission, it offers up to €28,500 for the Spark Phase and up to €100,000 for grand prizes.
Applications can be submitted via the AI-BOOST F6S Platform.
Key Challenge Categories
· Autonomous Robotics: Advancing machine autonomy and real-world adaptive control.
· Agentic AI for Engineering Design: Streamlining automated CAD generation and physical simulations.
· Clinical Datasets: Developing trustworthy generative models for medical and healthcare
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Eligibility and Rules
Who Can Apply: Individuals, academic teams, startups, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
Location Requirements: Applicants must be based in EU Member States or eligible Associated Countries.
Technical Requirement: Teams must prove technical AI capacity relevant to the chosen challenge.
Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research
Deadline: 15th of September
Budget: €100,000
The Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants support implementation research teams in Africa to strengthen health systems and address infectious diseases of poverty.
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The Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants are a collaborative initiative between the WHO Regional Office for Africa and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), designed to strengthen the capacity for health research in developing countries across Africa. This program builds on the region’s experience to support country-led implementation research that improves health and well-being by addressing systemic challenges, strengthening health systems, and responding to emerging global health threats such as climate change and pandemics.
The grants aim to facilitate public health-oriented implementation research, with a focus on person-centred service delivery, health systems strengthening, innovation, digital transformation, and environmental health. Priority research areas include communicable diseases (such as TB, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases), integrated primary health care models, access to essential medicines and diagnostics, digital health solutions, community system strengthening, climate-sensitive diseases, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), antimicrobial resistance, and One Health approaches for zoonoses and emerging threats.
The objectives of the program are to strengthen research capacity in African countries, generate actionable knowledge and context-specific solutions, and encourage intersectoral dialogue and a One Health approach. The program also supports the translation of research results into policy and practice, promoting the engagement of individuals and communities to reduce disease burden.
The maximum duration for each research project is 12 months, and all projects must be completed by the end of 2027. No-cost extensions are not permitted.
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Eligible applicants include research teams based in institutions within African Region countries or territories, such as national disease control programs, ministries of health, academic institutions, research institutes, and nongovernmental organizations. Proposals must be submitted in English, French, or Portuguese via the eTDR portal, and the research must be conducted in the African Region. Early-career researchers, women, and applicants from least-developed countries are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants must demonstrate experience in operational and/or implementation research, and specific authorization and acknowledgement letters are required if the research is implemented in a health centre or public health program area.
Applications Open for Shine Program 2027
Deadline: 15th of September
Budget: €100,000
Swiss Re Foundation is inviting early-stage social entrepreneurs to apply for Shine 2027, a program supporting innovative urban climate solutions through grant funding, business expertise, and leadership coaching in eight global cities.
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The program addresses the persistent gap between city climate ambitions and on-the-ground implementation, focusing on ventures that drive urban decarbonization, climate adaptation, and inclusive development. Shine 2027 prioritizes solutions in energy transition, building efficiency and electrification, sustainable transport, waste and circular economy, urban nature and land use, and climate data, governance, and monitoring.
Selected enterprises receive grant funding, access to Swiss Re expertise in risk, strategy, and business development, leadership and executive coaching, and connections to ecosystem partners and climate innovation networks. Each city chapter offers a city-specific grant (e.g., up to INR 2,000,000 in Bangalore, EUR 40,000 in Bratislava, ZAR 400,000 in Cape Town, GBP 40,000 in London, USD 30,000 in Manila and Mexico City, USD 40,000 in New York, and CHF 55,000 in Zurich), with an initial grant of up to USD 5,000 per enterprise and the possibility of follow-on investment of up to USD 300,000 for ventures demonstrating scale.
The four-month program requires significant founder commitment, including 11 in-person days and additional virtual participation, and is structured around modules that build market readiness, impact measurement, go-to-market strategies, and operational resilience.
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Eligible applicants are early-stage enterprises (0–4 years old) with a minimum viable product and a pilot or commercial launch underway, operating in or serving one of the eight Shine cities. Applicants must demonstrate a strong drive for financial sustainability, a commitment to measurable environmental outcomes, and a focus on making climate solutions accessible to low-income or underserved urban communities, or addressing mitigation/adaptation from a climate justice perspective.
WomenLift Health Nigeria Leadership Journey for Women Leaders in Health
Deadline: 18th of September
Budget: €Not available
The WomenLift Health Nigeria Leadership Journey is a fully funded, 12-month hybrid fellowship for mid-senior career women working in health in Nigeria.
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The Journey is designed as a transformational learning and development experience, bringing together 30 mid-senior career women working across multiple disciplines and sectors in health within Nigeria. Participants benefit from a hybrid format that combines virtual learning touchpoints, group mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and two in-person experiential residencies. The curriculum emphasizes systems thinking, coalition building, and the development of contextualized leadership tools to address individual, institutional, and sectoral challenges.
Health++ is a core theme of the program, recognizing that sustainable improvements in health require coordinated action across fields such as climate change, food systems, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, economic policy, gender equity, and technology. The program encourages multi-sector collaboration and cultivates leaders who can drive impact across silos.
All program costs are fully covered, including travel and lodging for in-person residencies. The total learning commitment is approximately 87 hours over 12 months, with an expected effort of 4–8 hours per month. Participants also undertake a self-directed Health Leadership Project as part of their journey.
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Eligibility is limited to women who are citizens, residents, and working professionals in Nigeria, with 10–25 years of experience in health or related sectors. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in English and be able to participate in all mandatory sessions, including those scheduled in West Africa Time (WAT) or within one hour of that time zone. The program seeks a diverse cohort representing various sectors, disciplines, and cultural backgrounds.