Open EU Funding Opportunities
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME (INDIA AND FRANCE)
Deadline: 28th of February 2026
Budget: €500,000
The CEFIPRA provides support to high quality research groups through collaborative research projects in advanced areas of basic and applied science to nurture scientific competency through Collaborative Scientific Research Programme.
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The call includes a Thematic Call focusing on Health Sciences—covering disease detection, therapeutics, AI, and metabolic/cardiovascular studies—and Marine Sciences, including ocean systems, materials, geosciences, and climate–ocean research, along with a General Call spanning mathematics, sciences, engineering, biotechnology, and environmental studies.
The total project budget must not exceed 220,000 euros for the entire duration, covering manpower, recurring expenses, international travel, and limited equipment support on the Indian side, with funding structures defined separately for Indian and French partners. Projects are subject to mid-term review, compliance with funding and participation norms, and provisions for pre-closure if required.
CEFIPRA expects supported projects to demonstrate excellence in science through collaboration, contribute to training of young researchers, generate joint high-impact publications with due acknowledgement, support the knowledge forward chain, and foster long-term partnerships beyond project completion.
Proposals must be original, collaborative, and of high scientific quality, complementing the strengths and expertise of the participating research groups with balanced contributions from both countries.
Each proposal must have at least two Principal Collaborators, one from India and one from France, who will be solely responsible for project implementation, while Joint Collaborators may also participate with clearly defined roles.
The evaluation process involves initial screening, joint committee pre-selection, peer review in both countries, and final approval by the Joint Indo-French Scientific & Industrial Research Committee and the Governing Body of CEFIPRA.
The Thematic Call for Proposals is currently open, with the last date for submission set as 28th February 2026, while the General Call has already been closed.
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Eligible applicants include Principal Collaborators and Joint Collaborators from India and France who hold permanent positions in universities or recognized R&D institutions and meet national eligibility criteria, including retirement norms, with mandatory submission of ORCID or ResearcherID details.
They are required to submit a joint concept proposal along with a full joint proposal through the CEFIPRA web-based submission system, clearly specifying the roles and responsibilities of all collaborators.
GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR GRASS ROOTS AND HUMAN SECURITY PROJECTS (GGP) – ARMENIA
Deadline: 28th of February 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The Government of Japan invites to apply for the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). Reflecting the Japanese Government’s strong commitment to uphold the concept of “Human Security”, GGP program intends to contribute to improvements in various fields including education, health, infrastructure, as well as other sectors. The overall goal of GGP is to enhance the wellbeing of people at the grassroots level, based on the concept of human security.
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Project areas include:
Education
Health
– Providing medical equipment to medical institution
– Providing mobile clinic vehicle
– Renovating/Extending medical institution
Welfare
– Establishing/Renovating community center for vulnerable population
– Installing basic equipment to the centers
– Providing mobile care service for vulnerable population
Environment
– Executing landslide prevention and Improving disaster preparedness
– Providing garbage containers and collection vehicle
– Equipping renewable energy source
Agriculture
– Constructing training center for farmers
Water and Sanitation
– Constructing irrigation system
– Installing/Replacing water pipes
Others
– Reducing mine risk
Actions must take place in Armenia.
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Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), Local Municipalities, Educational Institutions, Research Institutions and Medical Institutions based in Armenia are eligible. Recipients shall have minimum 2 years of activities with stable financial status. They do not accept any applications from outside of Armenia.
TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FROM UNVFVT
Deadline: 1st of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT) offers grants to civil society actors providing medical, psychological, social, economic, legal, humanitarian or other forms of assistance to victims of torture and members of their families. Eligible civil society actors include NGOs, specialised rehabilitation centres, associations of victims, foundations, and hospitals.
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The Fund is the largest Fund managed by OHCHR, contributing to projects implemented by civil society actors in more than 60 countries. It is administered by the United Nations Secretary-General on the advice of a Board of Trustees. The Board meets twice a year, in February on policy issues and October to award grants.
Subject to availability of funds and on a competitive basis, the Fund also awards grants for projects seeking to organize training or capacity building activities for Organizations and other professionals that provide direct assistance to victims of torture. These projects may take the form of trainings, workshops, seminars and conferences, peer to peer training or staff exchanges. They are to be conducted primarily for the benefit of the professional staff of the applicant Organization.
The Fund’s global priority regions are Africa, Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
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Eligible are only nongovernmental entities with at least 2 years of experience in providing redress and rehabilitation to victims of torture and their family members, including NGOs, rehabilitation centres, foundations, association of victims, private and public hospitals, and legal clinics.
TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FROM UNVFVT
Deadline: 1st of March
Budget: €100,000
The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT) offers grants to civil society actors providing medical, psychological, social, economic, legal, humanitarian or other forms of assistance to victims of torture and members of their families. Eligible civil society actors include NGOs, specialised rehabilitation centres, associations of victims, foundations, and hospitals.
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The Fund is the largest Fund managed by OHCHR, contributing to projects implemented by civil society actors in more than 60 countries. It is administered by the United Nations Secretary-General on the advice of a Board of Trustees. The Board meets twice a year, in February on policy issues and October to award grants.
Subject to availability of funds and on a competitive basis, the Fund also awards grants for projects seeking to organize training or capacity building activities for Organizations and other professionals that provide direct assistance to victims of torture. These projects may take the form of trainings, workshops, seminars and conferences, peer to peer training or staff exchanges. They are to be conducted primarily for the benefit of the professional staff of the applicant Organization.
The Fund’s global priority regions are Africa, Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
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Eligible are only nongovernmental entities with at least 2 years of experience in providing redress and rehabilitation to victims of torture and their family members, including NGOs, rehabilitation centres, foundations, association of victims, private and public hospitals, and legal clinics.
ENTRIES OPEN FOR ENERGYLAB SCALEUP PROGRAM
Deadline: 1st of March 2026
Budget: €Not avaialble
EnergyLab's Scaleup Program is designed to help the most innovative startups and energy companies work together to roll out technology that will help decarbonise the energy sector. The focus areas of the opportunity are Introductions to industry decision-makers, Exposure to active energy sector investors, Peer-to-peer learning, Mentorship from energy sector entrepreneurs, Extensive public exposure, Expand to the Australian and New Zealand, Access to EnergyLab's mentor network, A dedicated support team, Ongoing assistance.
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The program provides founders with opportunities to meet some of Australia and New Zealand's most innovative energy companies, gaining introductions to key industry decision-makers. Participants will receive feedback from investors with expertise in scaling up clean energy startups, helping them refine their strategies and attract funding.
Founders will benefit from peer-to-peer learning, connecting with talented clean energy entrepreneurs from around the world to share experiences and insights. Mentorship is provided by the founders of Australia's most successful energy startups, offering guidance and practical advice for scaling operations.
EnergyLab will provide extensive public exposure through showcase events and social media channels, giving startups a platform to promote their business.
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Overseas startups will receive support to develop knowledge and networks specific to the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Participants can request introductions to EnergyLab's extensive mentor network and receive guidance from a dedicated support team throughout the program. Upon graduation, startups will join EnergyLab's alumni network, connecting with some of the most successful and impactful clean energy founders.
TDF Project Preparation Grant Program
Deadline: 1st of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Standards and Trade Development Facility provides Project Preparation Grants to support the development of technically sound and sustainable projects that address sanitary and phytosanitary capacity building needs linked to trade.
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Application of an SPS-related capacity evaluation tool, Preparation of feasibility studies, Preparation of project proposals for consideration by the STDF or other donors, Implementation of the standards, guidelines and recommendations of Codex Alimentarius for food safety, the International Plant Protection Convention for plant health, and the World Organization for Animal Health for animal health. Project Preparation Grants provide funding of up to US$ 50,000 to support preparatory activities that lead to the design of effective SPS capacity building projects. These grants are intended to help applicants develop robust and sustainable project concepts that respond to specific SPS-related trade challenges.
Grants may support the application of internationally recognized SPS capacity evaluation and prioritization tools, including tools developed by FAO, WHO, WOAH, IPPC, and the STDF. These activities help identify gaps, assess needs, and prioritize investments that can strengthen national or regional SPS systems.
Funding can also be used to prepare feasibility studies that assess the potential impact and economic viability of proposed interventions by examining expected costs and benefits. In addition, Project Preparation Grants may be used to formulate project proposals for submission to the STDF or other potential donors, without the requirement to fully define expected results or detailed activities.
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Eligible applicants include public sector entities responsible for SPS measures or policy, private sector entities such as legally registered farmers’ organizations and trade or industry associations, non-profit non-governmental organizations with SPS expertise operating in beneficiary countries, and STDF partner organizations. Collaboration between public and private sectors is encouraged to enhance impact and sustainability.
STDF Project Grant Program
Deadline: 1st of March 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The Standards and Trade Development Facility offer a Project Grants significant opportunity for countries and organizations seeking to strengthen food safety, animal health, and plant health systems in line with international sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
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The grants are aimed at practical, results-focused projects that improve compliance with global SPS standards and enhance trade performance. Supported initiatives are expected to respond to clearly identified risks or capacity gaps that have a direct impact on exports and regional or international trade opportunities. Applicants are required to demonstrate commitment by contributing to the project from their own resources. This contribution may be financial or provided in-kind through staff time, facilities, equipment, or other existing assets. The level of contribution depends on the country’s income classification, ensuring that support is tailored while encouraging national ownership of the project.
Funding from the STDF can be combined with resources from other partners, and applications that already have partial funding secured are encouraged. A clear and detailed budget is a core requirement of the application. Applicants must specify the amount requested from the STDF, the beneficiary’s own contribution to the project, any funding committed by other sources, and the total project value. The STDF contribution may cover up to a maximum of US$1,000,000, depending on eligibility and project scope.
The grants can support a wide range of project costs, including technical expertise, travel, training activities, and limited essential equipment. Operational expenses, communication activities, and contingency costs may also be included, provided they directly contribute to achieving project objectives.
Projects must also allocate resources for communication, monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This ensures transparency, stakeholder engagement, and accountability, while allowing lessons learned to inform future SPS capacity-building efforts. Overall, Project Grants provide a valuable pathway for strengthening SPS systems and improving participation in international trade.
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Eligible applicants include public sector institutions responsible for SPS measures, private sector organizations such as producer or trade associations, non-profit organizations with SPS expertise, and STDF partner institutions. Collaboration between public and private actors is strongly encouraged to ensure sustainability and practical impact.
COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL NETWORK OF EUROPEAN DIGITAL INNOVATION HUBS
Deadline: 3rd of March
Budget: €8,000,000
The European Commission has announced a new call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) by including entities from countries not yet participating in previous calls.
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The focus is to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) with entities from countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. These entities will provide the complete set of services of an EDIH, including the necessary infrastructure, focusing primarily on a specific geographical area and covering the digital transformation needs of the local SMEs, mid-caps and/or public sector organisations with a reinforced AI focus for EDIH operations.
The completion of the EDIHs network will be pivotal in supporting the widespread deployment and uptake of European AI technologies, solutions and tools, while also promoting the adoption of other crucial digital technologies, all in alignment with EU values and a human-centric approach. Furthermore, the network will harness the potential of green digital technologies, contributing to Europe’s collective climate and environmental goals. This approach will not only enhance the resilience of European industry but also strengthen its strategic autonomy. With an enhanced presence in countries associated with Digital Europe, the EDIH network will help bridge technology gaps, and support competitiveness and economic convergence.
The total estimated available call budget is EUR 8,000,000, with a project duration of 36 months. The EDIHs will collaborate with EU AI Innovation infrastructures, serving as central hubs for companies and the public sector. They will ensure a flexible and seamless digital journey, referring stakeholders to relevant services provided by these AI innovation infrastructures when appropriate. These collaborations will accelerate the deployment of AI technologies and ensure their effective and ethical application. The EDIHs will also promote and facilitate the use of all the digital capacities built up under the Digital Europe Programme, leveraging AI solutions from European start-ups, SMEs, and EU-funded projects, including the AI-on-Demand Platform. They will work closely with AI Factories and High-Performance Computing competence centres, facilitating access to EuroHPC AI-optimised supercomputers where relevant.
Each new EDIH will provide services based on a specific focus or expertise, supporting the local private and public sector with digital transformation and AI integration. The EDIH network will promote digital transformation through four types of services — test before invest, providing access to technical expertise and experimentation; training and skill development for upskilling and reskilling the workforce; support to identify and access potential financing sources for digital transformation; and fostering an innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities, including links to AI factories and TEFs.
The new EDIHs are expected to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations within their geographical areas, aiming to extend impact beyond their immediate regions. The performance of the hubs will be evaluated through key performance indicators, including the number of entities using EDIH services, number of referrals to European AI Innovation Infrastructures, amount of additional investments successfully triggered, and collaborations foreseen with other EDIHs and stakeholders at EU level.
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Digital Europe eligible countries (EU-27)
SOFT Innovation Prize 2026 EURATOM-2026-SOFT-PRIZE
Deadline: 3rd of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
Fusion research encompasses innovation in the domains of physics and technology over a wide range of specialisations. Fusion researchers are constantly challenging the scientific state-of-the-art and improving the technology thereby creating the conditions for innovation, much of which can be exploited in other science and industrial sectors for the benefit of society. The fundamental basis of the Euratom Programme is the drive and support for innovation across the product development chain from research to market. In this context the researcher plays a critical role.
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The complete application for the 'SOFT Innovation Prize' should include:
a technical description of the innovation
a state-of-the-art assessment of the innovation
an account, in general terms, of the market potential for the exploitation of the innovation
For the Model Rules of Contest for Prizes please see the Funding and Tenders Portal.
Essential award criteria: The prize will be awarded, after closure of the contest, to the applicant(s) who in the opinion of the jury best addresses the following cumulative criteria[3]:
Originality and replicability: The extent to which the idea is innovative, original and a first-of-a-kind use of the technology in industry or in the domain of application. The description should be clear, logically presented and well-illustrated.
Technical excellence: The extent to which the innovation is demonstrably state-of-the-art and based on excellent science and engineering.
Economic impact and exploitation of the innovation: The extent to which the submission demonstrates understanding and awareness of the relevant innovation aspects, including market potential, needs and business opportunities.
Eligibility criteria:
Expected results:
By awarding the ‘SOFT Innovation Prize’, the Commission will showcase innovations in fusion research sector giving visibility to the most dynamic, forward-looking and innovative researchers, research teams or industrial contestants. This visibility will provide greater potential for valorisation of the fusion research. Furthermore, the contest will stimulate the EU and international partners to develop a stronger innovation and entrepreneurial culture in fusion research.
The Commission applies an equal opportunities policy. With a view to promoting gender balance in nuclear field, the Commission would particularly welcome applications from women.
Prize amounts: 1st Prize: EUR 50 000, 2nd Prize: 30 000, 3rd Prize: EUR 20 000.
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. The contest is open to researchers, research teams, or industrial participants eligible for funding under the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2025, to researchers or research teams working for a national programme in an ITER partner country[4] or in any third country that has a bilateral fusion cooperation agreement with Euratom in force and to industrial participants participating in the ITER[4]. Example of proof: the Commission may request substantiating document such as contracts, etc.
2. The researcher, research team or industrial participant must obtain permission from the owner of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to submit an application and provide supporting documentation.
EUROPEAN DIGITAL MEDIA OBSERVATORY HUBS DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-TECH-EDMO-09-HUBS
Deadline: 3rd of March 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
The funding will support further consolidation of EDMO’s role as a key player in the fight against disinformation in Europe
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Expected Outcome:
Deliverables
EDMO will continue to maintain and further support a platform for joint activities to analyse and respond to the phenomenon of disinformation. EDMO will be carrying out and coordinating various activities in this field, including investigations, targeted research, monitoring as well as media literacy and communication activities throughout Europe and across the national/multinational research hubs.
Objective:
The EU supports the capacity of a multidisciplinary community to understand, monitor and counter disinformation.
The objective of this topic is to maintain and further develop a platform supporting the operations of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), as well as deepening the language coverage and operational capacity of fact-checking in Europe.
In particular, the topic will support the operational cooperation between fact-checkers, researchers and media literacy practitioners across the EU through EDMO and support fact-checkers, with the aim to contribute to the fight against disinformation, to gain further insight on disinformation, monitoring of the disinformation space, debunking disinformation through the network of fact-checkers, and increasing the resilience of media professionals and citizens to disinformation.
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n 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 Digital Europe
Programme (list of participating countries)
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
COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL NETWORK OF EUROPEAN DIGITAL INNOVATION HUBS DIGITAL-2026-EDIH-AC-09-COMPLETION-STEP
Deadline: 3rd of March 2026
Budget: €8,000,000
The objective is to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) with entities from countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. These entities will provide the complete set of services of an EDIH, including the necessary infrastructure, focusing primarily on a specific geographical area and covering the digital transformation needs of the local SMEs, mid-caps and/or public sector organisations with a reinforced AI focus for EDIH operations.
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The new EDIHs will support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations within its geographical area and area of expertise, while also aiming to extend its impact beyond its immediate region. An EDIH can select to focus on specific group(s) of clients (e.g. mainly SMEs or mainly public sector).
The performance of the hub will be evaluated based on their key performance indicators (KPIs); proposals should define their indicators as well as the targets related to each of them:
Number of entities which have used the European Digital Innovation Hubs’ services, by user category (businesses of different sizes, public sector entities, etc.), sector, location, by technology and type of service received. Specific sub-indicators must be proposed when the services are related to develop and uptake AI solutions, and will include a description of which European AI Innovation Infrastructures have been used (such as the AI-on-Demand platform) or referred to (such as the AI Factories).
Number of entity referral to European AI Innovation Infrastructures
For access to finance: amount of additional investments successfully triggered (e.g. through venture capital, bank loan, etc.).
Number of collaborations foreseen with other EDIHs and stakeholders outside the region at EU level, and description of jointly shared infrastructures / joint investments with other EDIHs.
A set of additional impact indicators will be collected and analysed with the support of the Digital Transformation Accelerator:
Increase in digital maturity of organizations that have used the services of the EDIH network. Digital maturity will be defined based on a questionnaire assessing the categories of digital strategy and readiness, intelligence and automation, data and connectedness, sustainable and human-centric digitalisation. EDIHs will administer the questionnaire at the start of the engagement with a client, and later after having delivered services, and report without delay the results to the DTA repository.
Increase in number of companies benefiting from the use of European AI technology.
Cross-border trans-national hubs are possible with several countries jointly proposing and co-funding cross-border trans-national hubs, serving neighbouring regions in different countries, tackling shared challenges identified in the border regions and exploiting the untapped growth potential in border areas. In this case, only the share of the funding of each country involved in the cross-border trans-national will be considered for the total amount of funding for that country.
Scope:
Each new EDIH will provide services based on a specific focus/expertise, which will support the local private and public sector with their digital transformation and the integration of AI technologies. This specialisation can be strengthened over time and should make use of existing local competencies in this area.
The EDIH network is dedicated to promoting and facilitating the digital transformation of SMEs and public services through four types of services:
Test before invest: providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, in particular to AI-related services.
Training and skill development: offering training sessions to SMEs and public services for upskilling and reskilling of the workforce.
Support to identify and get access to potential financing sources to support digital transformation.
Foster an innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities, including building links to AI factories and TEFs where relevant for associated countries.
Each EDIH is expected to provide all four types of services. They can however have different weights in the overall services portfolio. The services will be provided on an open, transparent and non-discriminatory basis and will be targeted mainly to (1) SMEs and midcaps and/or (2) public sector organisations conducting non-economic activities.
Each EDIH will act as an access point to the European network of EDIHs, helping local companies and/or public actors to get support from other EDIHs in case the needed competences fall outside their competence, ensuring that every stakeholder gets the needed support wherever it is available in Europe. Reversely, each EDIH will support the companies and public actors from other regions and countries presented by other EDIHs that need their expertise.
The EDIHs will also serve as contact point for the AI innovation infrastructures as described above, notably the AI factories, the AI-on-demand platform and TEFs. They will provide a first-line AI help desk for businesses and public sector organisations, offering basic information on compliance with the AI Act and relevant sources for further guidance. This will help ensure the broad adoption of strategic technologies, supporting the development of an AI continent.
Each EDIH will make available the relevant experimentation facilities and demonstrators related to its specialisation. SMEs, mid-caps and the public sector will be able to test the technologies proposed, including where relevant their environmental impact, and the feasibility of applying these technologies to their business before investing in them Likewise, EDIHs will leverage green digital technologies to advance Europe’s collective climate and environmental goals.
EDIHs will also provide access to finance services, including information on and facilitation of access to public and private funding sources, as well as connections to public and private investors.
The EDIHs will actively network with other hubs, share best practices and specialist knowledge, connect companies within their value chain, and seek synergies with innovators and early adopters who test solutions in novel experiments. These efforts will foster the adoption of digital technologies, particularly AI, in work and business environments in a more human-centric manner. Additionally, EDIHs will serve as brokers between public administration and companies providing e-government technologies.
In all the networking activities, EDIHs will be supported by the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA). Therefore, it is compulsory that EDIHs participate actively in the relevant support activities of the DTA, such as matchmaking, training and capacity building events.
The DTA, in cooperation with the Commission, will also host tools such as the Digital Maturity Assessment Tool and will centralise the overall Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the network. As a result, each EDIH must report the necessary information to the DTA. While EDIHs are encouraged to make use of the digital tools provided, they are also free to use their own tools. However, interoperability with the EDIH network tools is a requirement, to ensure a seamless experience for users.
DTA will organize events and activities for the network of EDIH, to share information and experiences, train, build cohesion. EDIHs should foresee active participation in those events and activities.
The EDIHs should closely collaborate with the AI Factories as well as with the High-Performance Computing competence centres, the Cybersecurity centres, the AI-on-demand platform, AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities and other EDIHs seeking complementarities in view of supporting companies and public sector organisations with their digital transformation.
Where relevant, the EDIHs will facilitate access for their customers to the EuroHPC AI-optimised supercomputers. They will also help SMEs fine-tune available AI solutions to their business needs and use cases by providing, wherever needed, also access to AI training.
EDIHs will maintain structured long-term relationships with the relevant local actors like regional authorities, industrial clusters, SME associations, business development agencies, incubators, accelerators, chambers of commerce, and partners of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and Startup Europe by offering joint investor-related events, organising common trainings, workshops or info days, directing SMEs from EEN to EDIHs and from EDIHs to EEN as needed. It is expected that local actors planning mutual support with a local EDIH will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a proper governance of their collaboration.
Finally, EDIHs will serve as an interface for the European Commission to support the implementation of specific sectorial policies, SME policies and eGovernment policies. This will imply that EDIHs specialised in a specific sector could be consulted on policies related to their sector of competence and could participate in specific actions.
EDIHs will design their operations to ensure sustainability beyond the implementation phase. They will indicate how they plan to build local capacity, foster community ownership, and integrate the initiative into their ecosystems.
The total public funding for this action is 100% of eligible costs (50% coming from the Digital Europe Programme and up to 50% coming from the Member States). In line with Appendix 6 on State Aid, the countries must ensure that State aid is granted in line with the applicable State aid rules, such as de minimis or GBER (ensuring compliance with GBER compatibility, including on aid intensities and notification thresholds set out in Article 4 GBER) or whatever the state aid rules stipulate in the associated country.
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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 Digital Europe
Programme (list of participating countries)
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
DATA SPACE FOR MANUFACTURING DIGITAL-2026-DSM-AI-09-DS-MANUFACTUR-STEP
Deadline: 3rd of March 2026
Budget: €9,000,000
Aligned with the previous WP, this action aims to support the continued uptake and further expansion of the data space for manufacturing. The primary objective is to develop legal, technical and business solutions to pool sufficient data and enable authorized AI developers to have direct or indirect data access to train generative AI models specifically for the manufacturing sector. This initiative seeks to reinforce the role of the data space for manufacturing as a major productivity enhancement and collaboration mechanism within the EU.
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Deliverables
The awarded proposals are expected to deliver:
Solutions that allow the collection of large, high-quality data from real industrial environments, from different manufacturing systems/sectors.
Solutions that allow access to these large datasets to train Generative AI models that respond to real-world industrial needs and challenges, preferably relying on trusted third parties hosting data and training compute on behalf of authorized AI developers.
Agreements with specific AI factories providing information on the data sets available and the conditions for using them for training AI models.
Interoperability and governance framework of manufacturing data spaces including from national industrial data spaces to ensure that mechanisms to aggregate data for training AI could be taken up at EU level.
Scope:
This initiative will support up to three data-collection projects, with around EUR 3 million co-funding from Digital Europe each, focused on manufacturing use cases to unlock advanced AI models, for example, predictive maintenance, process automation, supply chain management, product design and development and sustainability in production, and increase productivity in industrial environments such as purchases, logistics, resource planning and production halls. These projects aim to collect massive, high-quality data from real industrial environments, ensuring proper labelling where relevant, that could be used to train or finetune generative AI models for the manufacturing sector. The data collection has to be relevant for developing AI applications that can significantly benefit major EU manufacturing sectors (such as automotive, chemical, aeronautics and energy-intensive industries). The project proposal has to clearly identify the target sectors, the stakeholders, and have preliminary agreements about the intended data exchange.
The data-collection projects will develop both technical and business solutions to enable authorized AI developers to have direct or indirect data access and utilize these large datasets while fully respecting the data holders' control over their data.
Each data-collection project should propose clear use cases to ensure alignment with real-world needs and challenges. Ideally, the AI developers interested in using such data should be already identified in the proposal.
The proposal will also ensure technical and legal solutions to make the generated datasets available to users of AI Factories. This will also enable AI Factories to leverage these datasets for the development of AI applications. To this extent, the inclusion of AI Factories in the project will be considered an advantage.
Consortia are encouraged to use data intermediaries, as outlined in Chapter III of the Data Governance Act, or other appropriate mechanisms to manage the secure access to and processing of these datasets.
The initiative must also work in close partnership with the Data Spaces Support Centre to ensure alignment and interoperability with the broader ecosystem of data spaces implemented with the support of the Digital Europe Programme. Additionally, the action must coordinate with AI Factories to ensure that the datasets generated can be effectively used in conjunction with data already available facilitating in this way collaborative approaches for the development of advanced AI models.
Considering financial sustainability from the outset is crucial in the development of Common European Data Spaces to ensure their long-term viability and effectiveness. By establishing a sound financial model, developers can secure the resources necessary to adapt to evolving technological landscapes and user needs, ensuring that data spaces remain robust and beneficial over time.
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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 Digital Europe
Programme (list of participating countries)
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
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR UEG RESEARCH PRIZE (EUROPE)
Deadline: 3rd of March
Budget: €100,000
The United European Gastroenterology is pleased to announce its Research Prize to support a future scientific research project from early stage to successful conclusion.
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The UEG Research Prize 2026 offers a prize of €50,000 to support a future scientific research project from its inception to successful completion.
The prize money, which is paid to the winner’s department, must be used strictly for salary support, equipment, and research consumables related to the recipient’s research. The winner will be officially awarded during UEG Week 2026, where they will also present their winning project in a dedicated session.
In addition, the recipient will be featured in the UEG Week 2026 online programme, on the UEG website, and in post-congress reports. The prize is aimed at established senior researchers whose work has a major impact on digestive health and whose proposed project will significantly advance their career. UEG encourages applications from all areas within digestive health research.
They must also commit to completing the proposed research within the agreed timeframe. Departments that have received the UEG Research Prize in the past five years (2021–2025) are not eligible to apply, and the prize can only be awarded to the same recipient once. The call is open to both myUEG Associates and myUEG Young GI Associates.
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Eligible candidates must lead a substantial research group based primarily in Europe and focus on research areas that face greater challenges in obtaining funding. Applicants should have a proven track record of securing peer-reviewed grants from recognized international research councils, charities, or industry partners.
To qualify, candidates must have been listed as a (co-)author of an abstract submitted to UEG Week within the past three years (2023–2025) or have been recognized as a UEG Rising Star between 2021 and 2025.
CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE FIELD OF SPORT
Deadline: 5th of March 2026
Budget: €2,440,000
Capacity Building projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of sport in Programme and third countries not associated to the Programme in Region 1 (Western Balkans) and Region 2 (Neighbourhood East). They aim to support sport activities and policies in third countries not associated to the Programme as a vehicle to promote values as well as an educational tool to promote the personal and social development of individuals and build more cohesive communities.
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The action will aim at:
· raising the capacity of grassroots sport organisations;
· encouraging the practice of sport and physical activity in third countries not associated to the Programme;
· promoting social inclusion through sport;
· promoting positive values through sport (such as fair play, tolerance, team spirit);
· fostering cooperation across different regions of the world through joint initiatives.
· Proposals should focus on certain thematic areas defined at programming stage.
Examples of particularly relevant areas are:
· promotion of common values, non-discrimination and gender equality through sport;
· development of skills (through sport) needed to improve the social involvement of disadvantaged groups (e.g. independence, leadership etc.);
· integration of migrants;
· post-conflict reconciliation.
Actions must take place in EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme or in third countries not associated to the Programme from Region 1 (Western Balkans) or Region 2 (Neighbourhood East).
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Applicants must be either public bodies or non-profit organisations with legal personality. Applicants must be established in the eligible countries.
SMALL-SCALE COOPERATION PARTNERSHIPS
Deadline: 5th of March 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
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. With lower grant amounts awarded to organisations, shorter duration and simpler administrative requirements compared to the Cooperation Partnerships, this action aims at reaching out to grassroots organisations, less experienced organisations and newcomers to the Programme, reducing entry barriers to the programme for organisations with smaller organisational capacity. 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.
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Attract and widen access for newcomers, less experienced organisations and small-scale actors to the programme. These partnerships should act as a first step for organisations into cooperation at European level.
Support the inclusion of target groups with fewer opportunities
Support active European citizenship and bring the European dimension to the local level
Actions must take place in EU member states and Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Serbia.
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Any public body or organisation, with its affiliated entities (if any), active in the field of sport, established in a Programme Country, can apply.
COOPERATION PARTNERSHIPS
Deadline: 5th of March 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
The primary goal of Cooperation Partnerships is to allow organisations to increase the quality and relevance of their activities, to develop and reinforce their networks of partners, to increase their capacity to operate jointly at transnational level, boosting internationalisation of their activities and through exchanging or developing new practices and methods as well as sharing and confronting ideas.
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They aim to support the development, transfer and/or implementation of innovative practices as well as the implementation of joint initiatives promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchanges of experience at European level. Results should be re-usable, transferable, up-scalable and, if possible, have a strong transdisciplinary dimension.
Cooperation Partnerships aim at:
Increasing quality in the work, activities and practices of organisations and institutions involved, opening up to new actors, not naturally included within one sector
Building capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors;
Addressing common needs and priorities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport;
Enabling transformation and change (at individual, organisational or sectoral level), leading to improvements and new approaches, in proportion to the context of each organisation.
A Cooperation Partnership is a transnational project and must involve minimum three organisations from three different EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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Any public body or organisation, with its affiliated entities (if any), active in the field of sport, established in a Programme Country, can apply.
Cooperation Partnerships in the Field of Youth for European NGOs
Deadline: 5th of March 2026
Budget: €2,000,000
The European Commission (EC) is inviting applications for Cooperation Partnerships, providing European NGOs with an opportunity to strengthen their role in the youth sector through transnational collaboration and innovation.
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These partnerships aim to enhance the quality, relevance, and international dimension of organisational activities while supporting the development, transfer, and implementation of innovative practices. By promoting joint initiatives, peer learning, and the exchange of experience, Cooperation Partnerships enable organisations to expand their networks, work more effectively across borders, and create results that are reusable, transferable, and scalable. Projects are encouraged to adopt a transdisciplinary approach, ensuring that their outcomes contribute meaningfully to the broader European youth landscape.
The action focuses on increasing quality in the work, activities and practices of organisations and institutions, opening up to new actors not naturally included within one sector, building the capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors, addressing common needs and priorities in education, training, youth and sport, enabling transformation and change at individual, organisational or sectoral level, promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchanges of experience, supporting the development, transfer and implementation of innovative practices, encouraging cross-sectoral and horizontal cooperation, and ensuring that results are reusable, transferable, upscalable and shared at local, regional, national and transnational levels.
The total budget allocated for this opportunity is EUR 2,000,000, distributed through three predefined lump-sum grants of EUR 120,000, EUR 250,000, or EUR 400,000, allowing applicants to select the amount that best matches the scale of activities and results they aim to achieve.
Projects may run for a duration of between 12 and 36 months, with the length chosen at the application stage based on the project objectives and planned activities. In justified cases, project duration may be extended up to a maximum of 36 months without any increase in the total grant amount.
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Eligible applicants include any participating organisation established in an EU Member State or a third country associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, with the applicant acting as coordinator on behalf of all partners. Applicant organisations must have been legally established for at least two years prior to the application deadline, and specific conditions apply for European NGOs applying in the fields of education, training, or youth through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.
International Fellowships Programme
Deadline: 10th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The International Fellowships Programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders.
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The award is offered for a duration of two years and is funded at 80% of Full Economic Costing. Applicants may request research expenses of up to £12,000 and relocation costs of up to £8,000, with clear justification required for the amounts requested. There is also the possibility of follow-on Alumni funding after the fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based or international researchers.
Funding can cover directly incurred staff costs for the award-holder, estates and indirect costs, and research expenses such as travel, fieldwork, training, conferences, dissemination, and one-off relocation and visa expenses. Salary levels are expected to be comparable to academic staff at an equivalent career stage, with any inflation applied requiring justification. Certain costs are explicitly not eligible, including salary costs for additional research staff, equipment purchases, open access fees, computer hardware, books, publication-related production costs, and carbon offsetting.
Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus, with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research. The fellowship is designed for early career researchers who meet strict eligibility criteria, including holding a PhD (or being in the final stages with completion before 1 June 2026), having no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral experience, working outside the UK, not holding UK citizenship, and being competent in oral and written English. Applicants must also have a clearly defined and mutually beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher and ensure they meet all requirements set out in the scheme notes.
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The application process requires two supporting statements: one from the UK Sponsor and one from the Sponsor’s Head of Department. These individuals must be invited through the application system and must accept the invitation before contributing. Applicants can monitor the progress of these contributions and will be unable to submit the application until all participants’ sections show as complete and have been formally submitted. It is emphasised that participants should complete their sections well in advance of the deadline to allow time for institutional approval.
Once an application is submitted, it is routed to the designated Approver at the UK Host Organisation. This approver must have the authority to confirm that the organisation can host the fellowship and that the proposed research and budget are appropriate and eligible. The responsibility for coordinating with the Sponsor, Head of Department, and institutional approver rests entirely with the applicant, and applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
ALLIANCES FOR STEM SKILLS FOUNDRIES
Deadline: 10th of March 2026
Budget: €Up to 1,500,000 per project
STEM Skills Foundries aim to create sectorial, transnational and sustainable cooperation between higher education institutions, VET providers and business companies that will foster new, innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning by providing young student entrepreneurs with real business-insights and mentoring opportunities tailored to their talents, needs and objectives. The specific focus of this topic is the fostering of innovation, creating entrepreneurial mindsets, providing young student entrepreneurs access to laboratories, technical infrastructures and equipment, supporting the development of intellectual property (IP), guiding them in the development of their master’s theses or business ideas, as well as facilitating access to venture capital in the strategic sectors identified in the Competitiveness Compass.
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Projects supported under this topic will aim at boosting innovation through cooperation among higher education and VET providers with labour market and entrepreneurial actors with a possible participation of venture capital funds, facilitated by EIT KICs.
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.
ALLIANCES FOR SECTORAL COOPERATION ON SKILLS (IMPLEMENTING THE ‘BLUEPRINT’)
Deadline: 10th of March 2026
Budget: €Up to 4,000,000 per project
Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills aim to create new strategic approaches and cooperation for concrete skills development solutions – both in the short and the medium term – in areas implementing a major action of the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, the Pact for Skills, an action launched under the European Skills Agenda in 2020 and now a major element of the sector based approach of the Union of Skills, the overarching European skills strategy. The initiative provides large-scale partnerships established under the Pact for Skills, with the opportunity to support the development of sector skills strategies, as well as the revision and development of job profiles and of related training programmes.
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Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills seek to tackle skills gaps on the labour market that hamper growth, innovation and competitiveness in specific sectors or areas, aiming both at short term interventions and long-term strategies. These Alliances will be implemented in the 14 industrial ecosystems identified in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe1 (see eligibility criteria).
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.
ALLIANCES FOR EDUCATION AND ENTERPRISES
Deadline: 10th of March 2026
Budget: €Up to 1,500,000 per project
Alliances for Education and Enterprises are transnational, structured and result-driven projects, in which partners share common goals and work together to foster innovation, new skills, a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mind-sets. They aim to foster innovation in higher education, vocational education and training, enterprises and the broader socio-economic environment. This includes confronting societal and economic challenges such as climate change, changing demographics, digitisation, the emergence of new, disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence generating demand for STEM skills and talent and rapid employment changes through social innovation and community resilience as well as labour market innovation. In 2026, this topic will also address the challenge of severe skills gaps in sectors crucial for Europe’s competitiveness in line with the Union of Skills initiative.
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Alliances for Education and Enterprises bring together enterprises and both higher education and vocational training providers to work together in partnership. Operating within one economic sector or several different economic sectors, they create reliable and sustainable relations and demonstrate their innovative and transnational character in all aspects. While each partnership must include at least one VET and one higher education organisation, they can address either both or one of these educational fields. The cooperation between VET and higher education organisations should be relevant and should benefit both sectors.
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.
NEWS – MEDIA LITERACY
Deadline: 11th of March 2026
Budget: €3,000,000
The Call for Proposals will result in:
· pan-European consortia, scaling up best practices across national, cultural and linguistic borders, and developing and upscaling media literacy tools and actions to ensure the transfer of such practices to the widest possible audience, covering different types of media delivery modalities;
· forums for exchange of best practices around specific age groups, groups with limited media literacy skills or access, or those at risk of social exclusion;
· support for media literacy professionals to adapt their practices to fast developing media formats and changing media consumption patterns.
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Support is foreseen for collaborative projects with clearly defined objective(s) to advance/target specific area(s)/goal(s) within the field of media literacy, addressing at least two of the following areas of activities:
· Activities building on, sharing and scaling up best practices from innovative media literacy projects that take into account a changing media ecosystem, especially by crossing cultural, country or linguistic borders and strengthening collaboration between different regions of Europe.
· Developing innovative, interactive online toolkits to provide solutions to existing and future challenges in the online environment, including disinformation.
· Developing materials and toolkits to enable citizens to develop a critical approach to the media, and to recognise and appropriately react to disinformation.
· Develop media literacy practices adapted to the changing media environment including manipulative techniques and AI-based media production.
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).
STREAM I (INCUBATOR) – SECOND CALL
Deadline: 12th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The desired objectives and results of the call for:
• higher capacity of CSOs for system change – on the local, regional and national levels,
• higher innovation potential of non-profit sector,
• higher capacity and ability of CSOs for scaling of their own innovative approaches and services,
• higher cross-sectoral and intra-sectoral cooperation of CSOs,
• strengthening of sustainability potential of CSOs and raising their focus on better diversification of resources,
• strengthening organizational resilience and advocacy abilities of CSOs,
• higher capacity of CSOs for strategic communication with the public (to fight disinformation).
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Areas of support are: education, Democracy and rule of law.
Actions must take place in Slovakia.
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Eligibility is limited to non-profit organisations.
Submissions open for McCain Global Leaders Program
Deadline: 12th of March 2026
Budget: €Not available
The McCain Institute is pleased to announce its McCain Global Leaders Program to support senior-career professionals committed to advancing democracy, human rights and positive change to apply for this fully funded, year-long leadership initiative.
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The program is designed as an intensive, non-residential 12-month journey that combines regional and global engagement, allowing participants to connect with peers in their home regions while also becoming part of a broader international network. The McCain Institute will recruit a diverse cohort of leaders who are actively working on issues aligned with the global and regional themes through a wide range of professions and projects.
Participants will engage in a blend of online learning and three major in-person experiences. Throughout the program year, they will take part in the McCain Leadership Curriculum, which draws inspiration from Senator McCain’s legacy and emphasizes community building, peer mentorship, and group problem-solving. This curriculum supports leaders in clarifying their leadership philosophy, strengthening practical skills, and navigating complex challenges in their societies.
The first in-person gathering, known as the Leadership Experience, will take place in Athens, Greece, where all participants will come together for a seven-day program focused on leadership principles, engagement with experts, and the development of individual impact projects.
This will be followed by the Changemaker Tour during winter 2026/2027, where each regional cohort will participate in a five-day study tour in a host country within their region, gaining deeper exposure to the program’s themes and strengthening regional networks. The program will conclude with the Legacy Experience in Vietnam in spring 2027, a capstone event that brings together leaders, alumni, and advisors to reflect on growth, explore collaborations, and consider the next steps in their leadership journeys.
The program runs from June 2026 through May 2027, with approximately 25 days of in-person programming and an estimated 6–8 hours per month of virtual engagement. While participation requires a significant time commitment, the McCain Institute covers all direct costs of participation, including economy-class travel, accommodation, and visas, and also provides a stipend to support incidental expenses.
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Applicants are expected to be mid- to senior-career professionals with at least five years of experience and strong working proficiency in English. There is no age or minimum educational requirement, and individuals from all professional backgrounds and countries are encouraged to apply. Selection is based on leadership capacity, vision, service orientation, and alignment with the program’s themes.
Applications must be submitted through the online portal between January 26, 2026, and March 15, 2026, by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. The review process can take up to three months after the application window closes, and applicants who are not selected are encouraged to apply again in future cycles. Graduates of the program become part of the McCain Global Leaders Alumni Network, gaining long-term access to global peers, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities.
AI for Good Impact Awards: Recognizing Transformative AI Solutions
Deadline: 12th of March 2026
Budget: €Not available
The AI for Good Impact Awards honour innovative AI solutions that create meaningful, measurable benefits for people, the planet, and prosperity. The awards feature three main categories: AI for People, AI for Planet, and AI for Prosperity. AI for People recognizes projects that empower individuals and communities, improving human well-being and expanding digital participation. AI for Planet honours initiatives that harness AI to protect the environment, promote climate resilience, and support responsible resource use. AI for Prosperity celebrates AI applications that build resilient and innovative economies, strengthen governance systems, and modernize industries.
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Focus areas include health and well-being through AI for diagnosis, accessibility, and assistive technologies; education and lifelong learning with personalized learning, language inclusion, and teacher support; digital inclusion and equality for gender, disability, and vulnerable populations with connectivity access; poverty reduction and food security via agricultural optimization and resource access; climate change mitigation and adaptation; biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection; water management, circular economy, and pollution reduction; sustainable cities and infrastructure; economic growth; industry and infrastructure innovation including smart manufacturing, logistics, and energy efficiency; and governance, justice, and peacebuilding through data-driven insight.
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Eligibility for the awards is open to small and medium enterprises, large corporations, non-profit organizations, academic and research institutions, government bodies, and individual contributors, while startups are invited to participate in the AI for Good Innovation Factory startup competition. Each project submitted demonstrates how AI can create measurable benefits, drive sustainable progress, and address pressing global challenges.
Climate Investment Challenge
Deadline: 12th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Climate Investment Challenge is inviting postgraduate students to tackle real-world climate investment challenges through the lenses of innovative financing mechanisms and climate analytics.The opportunity features two prize tracks: The Innovative Financing Mechanisms track seeks creative financial structures that can mobilise large-scale capital for climate solutions, such as blended finance models or climate-focused outcome bonds. The Climate Analytics track focuses on data-driven tools and metrics, including innovations like greenwashing indicators or AI-based risk models, to improve climate-aware investment decision-making across public and private markets.
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The challenge encourages participants to move beyond theory and design solutions which could move the dial on climate investment. Whether structuring a new financing mechanism or building a data-driven analytical tool, participants have the opportunity to present ideas that could support real-world development and scale.
Winning teams can receive a cash prize to support the development of their solutions. The current prize pool across both prizes will be within £16,000–£24,000. Winning teams also gain access to Imperial College’s climate finance network for accelerator opportunities and potential institutional partnerships, offering further scope for growth and collaboration.
All participants gain valuable experience, visibility, and insight into what it takes to turn strong ideas into implementable climate solutions. Regardless of location, the challenge is global and welcomes applications from around the world.
The challenge follows three stages. In Stage 1, each team completes a Concept Note using the provided template for the prize their team is applying to, and only one team member submits on behalf of the team. In Stage 2, 16 teams are selected as semi-finalists and develop a 10-slide Business Case Deck describing their solution in depth. In Stage 3, a group of experts selects 8 finalists, with 4 for each prize track, and finalists are invited to pitch their solution to a panel of expert judges at the final event held in London, with hybrid presentations available.
The Concept Note deadline is 9:00am UKT, 16th March 2026, the Business Case Deck deadline is 27th April 2026, and the final event takes place on 11th June 2026.
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The challenge is open to postgraduate students worldwide. Teams must consist of 2–6 members, with at least one member being a postgraduate student enrolled in an MSc, MBA, PhD programme, or equivalent. Teams may include members from the same university or from different universities. Solutions must be original to those in the team and cannot be based on solutions already developed by a company or platform.
LIVELIHOODS, ECONOMIC AND INCLUSION
Deadline: 15th of March 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
Objective
i. More IDP returnees and IDPs have attained increased access to employment, financial and economic inclusion.
ii. Coordination and partnerships among stakeholders are strengthened
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Formal micro, small and medium enterprises and households are supported with cash, assets, infrastructure, and technical capacity building.
More and IDP returnees as well as host communities participate in climate resilient agriculture and non-agriculture value chains through UNHCR support
Refugees /IDP s returnees have their skills upgraded through TVET and other employability enhancement schemes.
Assessments and capacity building for solutions programming
Evidence-based livelihood, economic inclusion, and solutions programming
Coordination and partnerships with public, private and development stakeholders is strengthened
Inclusion of the forcibly displaced in interventions of other stakeholders
Coordination and implementation of educational activities to students (boys, girls, youths) who are of concern to UNHCR.
Actions must take place in Afghanistan.
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Interested Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan are invited to submit concept notes.
Open Call for Residency Hosts 2025-26
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to support legal entities interested in hosting artists and cultural professionals for structured residency projects. The program aims to encourage artistic mobility, creative collaboration, and professional development while enabling host organizations to implement impactful cultural initiatives.
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The application process is divided into two phases. In the first phase, applicants submit a detailed description of the residency project along with the required legal and organizational documents. Applicants selected at this stage may proceed to the second phase, where they select the artists and cultural professionals who will participate as residents and complete the final application.
Residency projects must pursue at least two key objectives. These include exploring new artistic ideas and concepts, connecting through professional networking and audience engagement, creating new artistic or cultural works, and contributing to societal transformation aligned with the New European Bauhaus values and principles.
Residencies can last between 21 and 90 days and are categorized as short-term, medium-term, or long-term based on their duration. Funding is provided through a fixed-amount payment system, meaning grants are awarded regardless of actual expenses. The total residency grant is calculated based on the residency length, the number of residents, and any applicable top-ups. The maximum grant amount is €55,000, or up to €60,000 when accessibility support is included.
The financial support includes a hosting allowance of €50 per day, per resident, to cover implementation costs such as accommodation, equipment, mentoring, and related expenses. Each resident also receives a daily allowance of €30 per day to support living costs such as food and local transportation throughout the residency period. Travel costs are covered through a travel allowance of €400 for distances under 5,000 kilometers and €800 for distances of 5,000 kilometers or more.
Additional financial top-ups are available for residents who meet specific conditions. A green mobility top-up of €400 per resident is available for those traveling by means other than air when the travel distance is 600 kilometers or more. A top-up of €175 per resident applies to those legally residing in or traveling to overseas countries and territories or outermost regions. Residents who require a visa to enter the host country may receive a visa top-up of €120. A family top-up of €200 per child is available for residents with children under 18 years old at the time of the residency.
This opportunity enables host organizations to support creative exchange, strengthen cultural collaboration across borders, and deliver well-resourced residency projects that benefit both artists and host communities.
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The call is open to legal entities such as non-profit organizations, NGOs, public bodies, foundations, companies, and self-employed professionals. Applicants must be registered and based in a Creative Europe country, including overseas countries and territories and outermost regions. Eligible entities may be newly established or well established, must be active in sectors such as architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts, or visual arts, and must have the capacity to host international artists and cultural professionals.
Creative Europe countries include all 27 European Union Member States as well as Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, and Ukraine. The program also covers the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories and Outermost Regions, including places such as Greenland; multiple French overseas territories; the Azores and Madeira; the Canary Islands; and several Caribbean territories linked to the Netherlands.
CALL FOR GLOBAL GATEWAY EARLY-STAGE INVESTMENT MECHANISM
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €40,500,000
The European Commission (EC) is launching a call for proposals under the Global Gateway initiative to support strategic and promising infrastructure projects in partner countries, enabling EU companies to advance projects from planning and feasibility stages to implementation and financing.
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The focus areas and objectives of this programme include using EU know-how, experience, and technology to de-risk early-stage infrastructure projects, promote EU policy frameworks and standards, increase EU private sector investment in partner countries, enhance the quality and bankability of infrastructure projects in transport, artificial intelligence, energy, and urban development, facilitate sustainable infrastructure aligned with partner countries’ priorities and EU strategic interests, and generate development impact through job creation, regional integration, and socio-economic development. Priority considerations include alignment with SDGs and EU policies, alignment with beneficiary countries’ strategic priorities, strengthening EU industry presence, local engagement, knowledge transfer, sustainability in line with EU and international standards, financial viability, and the multiplying effect for EU industry in relevant sectors.
The call for proposals has a total indicative budget of EUR 40,583,770, allocated across five lots: Transport with EUR 7,800,000, Artificial Intelligence with EUR 4,000,000, Energy with EUR 14,283,770, Urban Development with EUR 4,500,000, and the Railway sector in Latin America and the Caribbean with EUR 10,000,000. Each grant requested under this programme must range between EUR 500,000 and EUR 2,000,000.
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Eligible applicants for this programme include legal persons that are private or public bodies, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies with internationalization projects, consortia of enterprises, joint ventures in partnership with national or local public promoters, government-linked companies, and, for Artificial Intelligence projects, research institutions and universities. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that fully leverage EU expertise and demonstrate clear potential for development impact, sustainability, and financial viability.
GLOBAL GATEWAY EARLY-STAGE INVESTMENT MECHANISM
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €40,583,770
The global objective of this call for proposals is to support increased EU private sector investment in strategic infrastructure projects, thereby fostering the green transition of partner countries and promoting their socio-economic development
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The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:
1. To increase the involvement of EU private sector in preparing sustainable infrastructure projects in partner countries, enhancing European footprint in the world and aligning with the Global Gateway strategy.
2. To enhance the quality and bankability of infrastructure projects in the transport, artificial intelligence, energy and urban development sectors.
3. To facilitate the implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects that are aligned with beneficiary countries’ priorities and EU strategic interest and policy.
Actions must take place in Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Guatemala, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.
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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must be a private or public body.
Roma and Pro-Roma NGOs Supporting EU Values (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €250,000
RomanoNet has announced a call for applications for Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations registered and operating in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to promote fundamental rights and European Union values while strengthening and empowering Roma communities.
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The overall goal is to strengthen the capacities of Roma and pro-Roma civil society and Roma communities through raising awareness, monitoring, and promoting EU values, specifically respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities, while the specific objectives of the call are to support Roma access to fundamental rights, promote equality and social inclusion for Roma, advocate for a human-rights-based perspective on the situation of Roma, fight against antigypsyism, monitor the implementation of national Roma integration strategies at local, regional, or national levels, develop cooperation between Roma communities and public institutions, and develop cooperation between Roma and non-Roma civil society.
A total of 250,000 EUR is available for this specific call, with a maximum grant of 25,000 EUR per individual project. No financial contribution or volunteer work from the applicant is required, and such contributions will not provide an advantage during the selection process. Projects supported under this call are to be implemented over a thirteen-month period from September 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. Each organization is permitted to submit only one application, and consortiums are not eligible for funding under this call.
The call distinguishes between Roma organizations, where Roma individuals make up the majority of leadership and staff, and pro-Roma organizations, which share the same goals but lack a Roma majority in leadership; Roma organizations will be prioritized during the selection process. Small non-profit organizations that have had an average annual income of less than 50,000 EUR over the last three accounting periods will receive additional points during the evaluation. Organizations that already received a grant through the ROVA 2025 calls are not eligible to apply again.
Fundable activities include capacity-building efforts such as coaching and mentoring, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy work like legal counseling or monitoring government policies. Community initiatives that encourage active citizenship and local volunteerism among Roma and other society members are also eligible. This initiative is part of the ROVA project, implemented by the ERGO network and its members across Europe with the support of the European Union and the EVZ Foundation.
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To be eligible, organizations must be legally registered non-profit entities that are not established for private profit and operate in the public interest for the welfare of society without seeking political power. These organizations must be independent from national or local governments, political parties, and profit-making entities, ensuring that the majority of their founders or governing body members do not represent such institutions. Additionally, applicants must have a clearly defined mission and internal structure in their founding documents, operate transparently with accountability to members, and have no outstanding debts.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Higher Education Authority is seeking applications for its International Education Scholarships to support high-calibre international students who wish to study at NFQ levels 9 or 10 (master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD) in Ireland. The programme prioritises academic excellence, strong communication skills, engagement in extracurricular activities such as humanitarian work, politics, arts or sport, and a clear rationale for choosing Ireland that demonstrates alignment between the scholarship and long-term academic and professional goals.
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GOI-IES scholarships are awarded to high-calibre international students for one year of full-time, in-person study at NFQ levels 9 or 10, including taught master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, research master’s programmes, or PhD studies, across all disciplines subject to the availability of places.
A total of 60 scholarships are expected to be funded for the 2026/27 academic year following an annual competitive call for applications approved by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Successful scholars are expected to commence their studies in September or October 2026 and must reside in Ireland for the full duration of their studies. An official award ceremony for GOI-IES scholars will take place in spring 2027.
Applications are assessed through a multi-stage process beginning with an automated eligibility check, followed by screening by the HEA and shortlisting by relevant HEIs based on institutional strategic objectives. An independent panel of assessors evaluates shortlisted applications using a defined marking scheme that considers academic achievements and work experience, the personal statement, and submitted references. Only applications achieving a minimum score of 60 marks are considered for funding, with final decisions made solely on the basis of submitted materials.
Applications must be submitted through the online system, with no amendments permitted after submission. The deadline for applications is 5pm Irish time on 12 March 2026, and results are expected to be released in early June 2026.
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Eligibility is restricted to candidates whose domiciliary of origin is outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, who have secured a conditional or final offer as international fee-paying students for eligible full-time, in-person programmes at approved Irish HEIs for the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants must not have previously received a GOI-IES award and must not be citizens of Russia or Belarus. Proof of admission must be submitted with the application, and only one application per candidate is permitted.
OPEN RIVERS PROGRAMME
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
Category A1: Barrier identification and prioritisation – Category A1 is designed to support the identification and strategic selection of small dams that could later be removed with a grant (A4) from the programme. If an inventory of barriers doesn’t already exist, creating one is a key outcome for this grant. The inventory should include details such as location, height, width, photos, and field verification
Category A2: Dam removal – pre-demolition – Category A2 supports the development of essential work needed to prepare for the removal of a small dam, to be later supported by another grant within the programme. This may include activities such as feasibility studies, preparing technical design documents, and securing necessary permissions and permits.
Category A3: Dam removal – demolition – Category A3 funds the demolition of a barrier, where no pre-demolition work is
required or such work has already been funded by a third party.
Category A4: Dam removal – demolition (follow-up on a previous grant) – Category A4 funds the demolition of a barrier where pre-demolition work has already been funded by the programme (A1 and/or A2).
Category B
Enabling others to remove dams – This grant supports pre-demolition work when funding for the actual dam removal (demolition) is secured from an alternative funder. This grant focuses on supporting the development of essential work required to prepare for the removal of a dam, for example, feasibility studies, preparation of technical design documents, and securing permissions and permits. The completion of the work will result in the dam being removed by a third party.
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Actions must take place in Europe and Greater Europe.
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Charitable organisations and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for all grant types.
UP GRANTS 2026: CULTURE FOR DEMOCRACY
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
With Up Grants 2026: Culture for Democracy, they want to celebrate socio-culture as a powerful channel for civic participation. Submissions will be collected based on three strands:
1. Digital ethics and democracy: understanding and navigating the digital transformation together
2. Dialogue in times of polarisation: bridging divides and nurturing dialogue in increasingly polarised societies
3. Participation and cultural resistance: socio-cultural centres as laboratories of civic participation and spaces of cultural resistance in times of social, political, and environmental crisis.
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Actions must take place in Europe.
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If your organisation is an ENCC member, you can apply. If your organisation is not an ENCC member, but it is a socio-cultural centre, you can apply too. They define a socio-cultural centre as a non-profit organisation or public body that facilitates citizens’ active participation in socio-cultural and artistic activities.
Biostime Institute for Nutrition and Care Grant Program
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Biostime Institute for Nutrition and Care Grant Program is accepting applications to support innovative studies in maternal and child nutrition and health.
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The initiative prioritizes research on infant allergy nutrition strategies, child growth and developmental support, and postbiotic solutions to enhance maternal, infant, and child health across early life stages. They are seeking innovative and impactful preclinical and clinical research proposals in the field of maternal and child nutrition and health.
They allocate funding of up to 50,000 euros per project for preclinical research and up to 100,000 euros per project for clinical research.
The supported studies are expected to generate outcomes that lead to publication in peer-reviewed journals, enabling the dissemination of findings to the wider scientific community.
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The call is open to research scientists based in universities, hospitals, or leading academic institutions worldwide, with projects aligned to their areas of expertise in mother health and nutrition, child health and nutrition, infant gut health, infant brain development, allergy, and infant immunity.
STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE NATURE TOURISM IN CAPE VERDE
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €1,300,000
The general objective of this call for proposals is the following: Strengthen the role of civil society organizations in promoting inclusive, sustainable nature tourism opportunities and with community participation, contributing to the priorities of the Global Gateway, particularly in the field of the blue economy.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is the following: Support organizations civil society in the development of inclusive and sustainable nature tourism initiatives in the areas coastal and marine protected areas, reinforcing their role in participatory management/co-management, preserving the biodiversity and generating income opportunities for young people, women and rural communities and fishing.
Actions must take place in Cape Verde.
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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 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.
FILMS ON THE MOVE PROGRAMME: PAN-EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT FOR NON-NATIONAL EUROPEAN FILMS
Deadline: 19th of March 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
The Films on the Move action under the Creative Europe Programme encourages and supports the wider distribution of recent non-national European films by promoting investment in sales agents and theatrical distributors for film promotion and adequate distribution.
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The Films on the Move action supports campaigns coordinated by the film’s sales agent for pan-European theatrical and online distribution of eligible European films. It seeks to boost the visibility and market reach of these films across Europe through enhanced promotional activities and distribution efforts. The call encourages the strengthening of partnerships between the film production and distribution sectors, fostering industry collaboration that enhances global competitiveness for European cinema. The submission deadline offers two cut-off dates in 2026, with evaluated proposals potentially awarded funding from a total budget of 21 million euros. Applicants are required to provide evidence of chosen promotional and advertisement costs backed by letters of intent from theatrical distributors. The proposal process demands clear presentation of sustainable and inclusive industry practices, promoting gender balance, diversity, and environmental responsibility throughout the funded activities. For applicants aiming to participate, extensive guidance, application form templates, and legal documentation are available through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
CALL FOR RESIDENCY HOSTS 2025-2026
Deadline: 16th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
Through the Call for Residency Hosts, they provide financial support to legal entities (organisations or individual professionals) wishing to host artists and cultural professionals (referred to as residents) for a residency project at their premises.
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Culture Moves Europe encourages collaboration between hosts, artists, and cultural professionals from different sectors, educational backgrounds, and countries. The scheme aims to contribute to a diverse, interconnected artistic and cultural ecosystem in Europe and beyond.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus others.
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ligible are legal entities that: (1) are registered and based in one of the Creative Europe countries, including the overseas countries and territories and outermost regions; (2) have the capacity to host the proposed residency project with artists and cultural professionals from other Creative Europe countries (3) regardless of being a newly or well-established entity, applicants must be active in one of the eligible sectors: architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts, and visual arts.
PRIZE FOR INNOVATION IN GLOBAL SECURITY
Deadline: 20th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
Under the leadership of Ambassador Thomas Greminger, Executive Director of the GCSP, the Prize for Transformative Futures in Peace and Security was initiated by Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan, Director of the Geopolitics and Global Futures Department, and Ms Anne-Caroline Pissis Martel, Director of the Global Fellowship Initiative and Creative Spark. It seeks to reward groundbreaking concepts that offer exceptional promise in addressing peace and security challenges. The inaugural edition of the prize was awarded in 2023.
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Submissions may come from any country, but the potential impact of the concepts submitted should extend beyond national borders in their scope or thinking. Concepts from a wide variety of fields may be eligible for consideration, including, but not restricted to, transformative technologies, pandemics, biothreats, autonomous weapons, climate change, human rights, cybersecurity, education, or disarmament, for example.
Applications are welcome from all countries, provided that the projects extend beyond national borders in scope or concept, and seek to tackle global security issues in innovative ways. A wide range of projects may qualify for consideration, including technological and conceptual innovations, original research, or grassroots initiatives.
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Eligible applicants are individuals, or group of individuals, or organisation (from private or public sectors).
SMALL-SCALE PARTNERSHIPS
Deadline: 22nd of March
Budget: €60,000 per project
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. With lower grant amounts awarded to organisations, shorter duration and simpler administrative requirements compared to the Cooperation Partnerships, this action aims at reaching out to grassroots organisations, less experienced organisations and newcomers to the Programme, reducing entry barriers to the programme for organisations with smaller organisational capacity.
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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.
ROVA 2026 CALLS FOR PROPOSALS
Deadline: 23th of March 2026
Budget: €200,000
The European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network, together with 5 national partners, is launching calls for applications for Roma and pro-Roma civil society organisations registered and operating in EU Member States. Eligible organisations should work to promote fundamental rights and EU values, strengthen Roma communities, and support Roma empowerment and participation.
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Overall aim: to build the capacities of Roma and pro-Roma civil society and Roma communities through raising awareness of, monitoring, and enforcing EU values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights, including those of minorities.
Actions can take place in EU-member states.
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They are a Roma or pro-Roma organisation. They have not received a grant for individual NGOs under the ROVA calls for proposals in 2025. They are legally registered.
SCALING TRUST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAMME
Deadline: 24th of March 2026
Budget: €3,000,000 per project
The Advanced Research and Invention Agency is accepting applications for its Scaling Trust Research and Development Grant Programme to fund ambitious projects that strengthen secure agent-to-agent interactions in untrusted environments through tooling and fundamental research.
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The programme is structured around three interlinked tracks: Tooling, which delivers open-source coordination infrastructure; Fundamental Research, which creates the theoretical foundations and new security primitives and the Arena, a live adversarial environment where tools and research outputs are rigorously tested. This call for proposals specifically targets Track 2 (Tooling) and Track 3 (Fundamental Research), with the aim of achieving real-world demonstrations, confidence in trustworthiness, and evidence of high-impact adoption by the end of the programme.
Under Track 2, funding supports the development of open-source agents and components that can be used as baseline participants in the Arena. These include tools for requirement gathering that convert fuzzy user inputs into formal security policies, negotiation engines that derive shared collective policies, security reasoners that generate and implement secure protocols, and reporting tools that produce concise audit statements from execution traces.
Projects are expected to demonstrate competitiveness in the Arena, generality across tasks, computational efficiency, and growing community adoption. Track 2 projects can receive between £200,000 and £2 million for durations ranging from three months to one year, with four to six teams expected to be funded.
Track 3 focuses on Fundamental Research that advances scientific confidence in agent security and coordination. This includes Formal AI Security, Cyber-Physical Primitives that use physical or biological processes as trust anchors, Foundations of Generative Security enabling automated protocol generation and verification, and Bluesky research addressing emerging or unforeseen theoretical challenges.
Funding ranges from £100,000 to £3 million per project, supporting three large research centres and several smaller exploratory teams, with project durations of six to eighteen months. All outputs from Track 3 must be openly published to seed new research communities and inform future tooling and Arena challenges.
The programme operates on an iterative roadmap with phases covering bootstrap, testing, improvement, and scaling, supported by quarterly milestones, regular check-ins, and community events such as build weeks and hackathons. All funded software and research outputs must be released under permissive open-source licences, ensuring transparency, interoperability, and long-term ecosystem growth.
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Applications for this closes on 24 March 2026 at 14:00 GMT, with awards expected to be confirmed by June 2026. Proposals are evaluated on their transformative potential, differentiation, clarity, responsible approach, team motivation, and benefit to the UK, with flexibility to fund exceptional non-UK teams that significantly enhance UK impact.
ERASMUS+ VIRTUAL EXCHANGES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €500,000
Virtual exchanges projects consist of online people-to-people activities that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills development. They make it possible for every young person to access high-quality international and cross-cultural education without physical mobility. While virtual debating or training does not fully replace the benefits of physical mobility, participants in virtual exchanges ought to reap some of the benefits of the international educational experience. Digital platforms represent a valuable tool in partially answering the global constraints on mobility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual exchanges also help spreading European values. Moreover, in some cases, virtual exchanges can give ideas and prepare the ground for future physical exchanges not funded under this action.
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Virtual exchanges in higher education and youth take place in small groups and are always moderated by a trained facilitator. They should be easily integrated into youth (non-formal education) projects or higher education courses. Virtual exchanges can draw participants from both sectors, even if, depending on specific projects, they could involve participants from either only one of them or from both. All projects under this call will involve organisations and participants coming from both EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions.
Activities must take place in EU Member States and Sub-Saharan Africa countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo – Democratic Republic of the, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
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Eligible applicants must be private or public bodies established in one of the eligible countries, i.e. EU Member State, third
country associated to the Programme, third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region.
ERASMUS+ VIRTUAL EXCHANGES IN SOUTH MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €500,000
Virtual exchanges projects consist of online people-to-people activities that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills development. They make it possible for every young person to access high-quality international and cross-cultural education without physical mobility. While virtual debating or training does not fully replace the benefits of physical mobility, participants in virtual exchanges ought to reap some of the benefits of the international educational experience. Digital platforms represent a valuable tool in partially answering the global constraints on mobility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual exchanges also help spreading European values. Moreover, in some cases, virtual exchanges can give ideas and prepare the ground for future physical exchanges not funded under this action.
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Virtual exchanges in higher education and youth take place in small groups and are always moderated by a trained facilitator. They should be easily integrated into youth (non-formal education) projects or higher education courses. Virtual exchanges can draw participants from both sectors, even if, depending on specific projects, they could involve participants from either only one of them or from both. All projects under this call will involve organisations and participants coming from both EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme in eligible regions.
Activities must take place in EU Member States and South Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia.
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Eligible applicants must be private or public bodies established in one of the eligible countries, i.e. EU Member State, third
country associated to the Programme, third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region.
CAPACITY BUILDING IN VET IN LATIN AMERICA
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €2,000,000
Capacity building projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of VET in EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme. They aim to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of VET institutions and systems in third countries not associated to the Programme as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.
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Through joint initiatives that foster cooperation across different regions of the world, this action intends to increase the capacity of VET providers – especially in the fields of management, governance, inclusion, quality assurance, and innovation – so that they are better equipped to engage with private sector/enterprises/business associations to explore employment opportunities and jointly develop responsive VET interventions. International partnerships should contribute to improving the quality of VET in the third countries not associated to the Programme, notably by reinforcing the capacities of VET staff and teachers as well as by strengthening the link between VET providers and the labour market.
It is envisaged that the capacity building projects VET contribute to the broader policy objectives that are being pursued between the European Commission and the third countries not associated to the Programme or region concerned, including Global Gateway investment packages and the development of Talent partnerships and the Talent pool as laid down in the Commission Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU of April 2022.
Activities must take place in EU Member States and Latin America countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
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Eligible applicants must be private or public bodies established in one of the eligible countries, i.e. EU Member State, third
country associated to the Programme, third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region.
ERASMUS+ VIRTUAL EXCHANGES IN NEIGHBOURHOOD EAST
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €500,000
Virtual exchanges projects consist of online people-to-people activities that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills development. They make it possible for every young person to access high-quality international and cross-cultural education (both formal and non-formal) without physical mobility. While virtual debating or training does not fully replace the benefits of physical mobility, participants in virtual exchanges ought to reap some of the benefits of international educational experiences. Digital platforms represent a valuable tool in partially answering the global constraints on mobility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual exchanges also help spreading European values. Moreover, in some cases they can prepare, deepen and extend physical exchanges, as well as fuel new demand for them.
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The action will aim to:
Encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries not associated to the Programme and increase tolerance through online people-to-people interactions, building on digital, youth-friendly technologies;
Promote various types of virtual exchanges as a complement to Erasmus+ physical mobility, allowing more young people to benefit from intercultural and international experience;
Enhance critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of internet and social media, such as to counter discrimination, indoctrination, polarization and violent radicalisation;
Foster the digital and soft skills (i.e. Soft skills include the ability to think critically, be curious and creative, to take initiative, to solve problems and work collaboratively, to be able to communicate efficiently in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment, to be able to adapt to context and to cope with stress and uncertainty;
Promote citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education;
Strengthen the youth dimension in the relations of the EU with third countries.
Actions must take place in EU countries and associated countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: be legal entities (public or private bodies). Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 4 organisations.
CAPACITY BUILDING IN VET IN CARIBBEAN
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €500,000
Capacity building projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of VET in EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme. They aim to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of VET institutions and systems in third countries not associated to the Programme as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.
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Through joint initiatives that foster cooperation across different regions of the world, this action intends to increase the capacity of VET providers – especially in the fields of management, governance, inclusion, quality assurance, and innovation – so that they are better equipped to engage with private sector/enterprises/business associations to explore employment opportunities and jointly develop responsive VET interventions. International partnerships should contribute to improving the quality of VET in the third countries not associated to the Programme, notably by reinforcing the capacities of VET staff and teachers as well as by strengthening the link between VET providers and the labour market.
It is envisaged that the capacity building projects VET contribute to the broader policy objectives that are being pursued between the European Commission and the third countries not associated to the Programme or region concerned, including Global Gateway investment packages and the development of Talent partnerships and the Talent pool as laid down in the Commission Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU of April 2022.
Activities must take place in EU Member States and Caribbean countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago.
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Eligible applicants must be private or public bodies established in one of the eligible countries, i.e. EU Member State, third
country associated to the Programme, third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region.
CAPACITY BUILDING IN VET IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €7,500,000
Capacity building projects are international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of VET in EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme, and third countries not associated to the Programme. They aim to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of VET institutions and systems in third countries not associated to the Programme as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.
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Through joint initiatives that foster cooperation across different regions of the world, this action intends to increase the capacity of VET providers – especially in the fields of management, governance, inclusion, quality assurance, and innovation – so that they are better equipped to engage with private sector/enterprises/business associations to explore employment opportunities and jointly develop responsive VET interventions. International partnerships should contribute to improving the quality of VET in the third countries not associated to the Programme, notably by reinforcing the capacities of VET staff and teachers as well as by strengthening the link between VET providers and the labour market.
It is envisaged that the capacity building projects VET contribute to the broader policy objectives that are being pursued between the European Commission and the third countries not associated to the Programme or region concerned, including Global Gateway investment packages and the development of Talent partnerships and the Talent pool as laid down in the Commission Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU of April 2022.
Activities must take place in EU Member States and Sub-Saharan Africa countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo – Democratic Republic of the, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
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Eligible applicants must be private or public bodies established in one of the eligible countries, i.e. EU Member State, third
country associated to the Programme, third country not associated to the Programme from an eligible region.
ERASMUS+ VIRTUAL EXCHANGES IN NEIGHBOURHOOD EAST
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €500,000
Virtual exchanges projects consist of online people-to-people activities that promote intercultural dialogue and soft skills development. They make it possible for every young person to access high-quality international and cross-cultural education (both formal and non-formal) without physical mobility. While virtual debating or training does not fully replace the benefits of physical mobility, participants in virtual exchanges ought to reap some of the benefits of international educational experiences. Digital platforms represent a valuable tool in partially answering the global constraints on mobility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual exchanges also help spreading European values. Moreover, in some cases they can prepare, deepen and extend physical exchanges, as well as fuel new demand for them.
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Encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries not associated to the Programme and increase tolerance through online people-to-people interactions, building on digital, youth-friendly technologies;
Promote various types of virtual exchanges as a complement to Erasmus+ physical mobility, allowing more young people to benefit from intercultural and international experience;
Enhance critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of internet and social media, such as to counter discrimination, indoctrination, polarization and violent radicalisation;
Foster the digital and soft skills (i.e. Soft skills include the ability to think critically, be curious and creative, to take initiative, to solve problems and work collaboratively, to be able to communicate efficiently in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment, to be able to adapt to context and to cope with stress and uncertainty;
Promote citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education;
Strengthen the youth dimension in the relations of the EU with third countries.
Actions must take place in EU countries and associated countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
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In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: be legal entities (public or private bodies). Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 4 organisations.
INNOVATE UK GRANTS FOR CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING REGIONS
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
The Innovate UK is inviting grant applications to support innovative projects that increase clean energy access in developing regions.
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This initiative aims to accelerate innovations that contribute to a just and inclusive energy transition while extending the benefits of clean energy to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
This funding opportunity is designed to support innovative solutions that expand clean energy access, foster international collaboration, and enable the practical demonstration of new technologies in regions where they are most needed. By combining scientific innovation, cross-border partnerships, and SME involvement, the program seeks to drive impactful projects that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive global energy transition.
Projects applying for this funding must have total eligible costs between £50,000 and £5 million and can run for a duration of 6 to 36 months, starting no earlier than 1 August 2026 and concluding by 31 March 2030. Eligible projects should focus on delivering clean energy access in the target regions and include testing or demonstration work in at least one ODA-eligible country.
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To be eligible, projects must involve at least one partner with a legal entity in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, or Latin America, which can include in-country offices. Projects led by international organizations must have a UK-registered administrative lead. Additionally, applications must include at least one legally separate collaborator and involve at least one micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME) from anywhere in the world.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ENERGY CATALYST INITIATIVE - MID STAGE
Deadline: 26th of March 2026
Budget: €1,500,000
The Innovate UK is seeking grant applications to support accelerate innovative solutions and inclusive energy transition, help communities access sustainable energy while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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The primary objective of this competition is to accelerate innovations that enable a just and inclusive clean energy transition in developing regions. By supporting projects that increase access to clean energy, the program aims to extend the benefits of sustainable energy solutions, contributing directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovators and organizations are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate scalable, impactful solutions in the energy sector.
Eligible projects must have total costs ranging from £50,000 to £1.5 million and a duration of six to 24 months. Each project should contribute to improving clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, or Latin America, and involve at least one partner with a legal presence in these regions, which can include in-country offices.
This funding opportunity represents a significant chance for organizations, startups, researchers, and SMEs to contribute to global clean energy access, foster international collaboration, and advance sustainable development in regions that need it most.
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Applicants must include a UK-registered administrative lead or, for international organizations, a UK administrative partner. Projects must also involve at least one micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME) from anywhere in the world, include at least one legally separate collaborator, and incorporate testing or demonstration work in an eligible ODA country.
TEAM UP FOR CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Deadline: 28th of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
Applications are now open for the Team Up for Climate Challenge to support students and young graduates from around the world come together in teams of 2 to 5 to come up with an innovative solution on the topic: adapting and living together in the face of climate risks.
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The challenge focuses on several key areas, including Inform & Raise Awareness, Anticipate & Repair, and Protect, alongside providing Benefits, Mentorship with Experts, and opportunities for Entrepreneurial Experience. Participants also have the chance to compete for Prizes for Top Teams and join an Alumni Network to access future opportunities and professional connections.
As teams advance in the challenge, they gain access to a range of support to help shape their projects. This includes collective workshops training them on pitching, business models, and entrepreneurship, as well as mentors paired with each team to focus on the technical aspects of their ideas and their impact on climate adaptation. The top three teams will be awarded personal prizes, along with additional funding to help bring their projects to life during the first six months.
Participants are invited to transform a local area they know well, making it more resilient to climate change. Teams begin by identifying the climate risks and vulnerabilities in that area. The project can focus on one or more of the adaptation approaches: Inform & Raise Awareness, Anticipate & Repair, or Protect.
During the second phase, the top 15 teams from Phase 1 receive seven weeks of deeper support, including workshops and dedicated technical mentorship. Teams refine their projects into more concrete and actionable plans, benefiting from expertise in technical, social, and business aspects. This phase also encourages community building among participants, with virtual events to connect teams and share inspiration.
The jury selection takes place at the end of Phase 2, where teams present their projects to a panel that selects the top two winners, while the third prize is determined by an employee vote. Winning teams receive individual coaching on project management, financial planning, and project incubation.
Guidance is provided through interactive webinars on project methodology and key topics, as well as Q&A sessions with recent challenge laureates. After registration, teams receive exclusive content via the challenge newsletter, including training materials on climate change adaptation and project development advice shared through the discussion wall.
The awards ceremony is held in October, where the first prize team showcases their project to a wider audience in Paris, while second and third prize teams join virtually to present their work.
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Students and young graduates from around the world come together in teams of 2 to 5
AI-DRIVEN FORECASTING FOR GRID OPTIMIZATION AND CONSUMER ENERGY SHARING
Deadline: 30th of March 2026
Budget: €12,000,000
European Commission is seeking grant applications to advance AI-driven solutions for energy communities and distributed systems to optimize self-consumption and enhance societal engagement.
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The focus areas of this opportunity include developing and testing AI-driven forecasting algorithms that use machine learning to optimize the value of collective self-consumption through energy sharing for communities and citizens, upscaling AI tools and models for grid balancing and forecasting to ensure consumer participation in a distributed energy system, analyzing social interactions with advanced methods such as game-theoretic models to highlight the role of active consumers and communities, deepening understanding of the needs and concerns of diverse social groups to increase beneficial societal uptake and build trust, and improving operation and maintenance of the grid and distributed assets.
The call supports innovations in machine learning forecasting that optimize bidirectional energy transfers and flexibility services, enabling energy communities and jointly acting customers to become active participants in the energy system. Projects are expected to reduce burdens on distribution system operators and residual suppliers while promoting a decentralized, resilient, and digitalized European energy landscape. AI-driven solutions are intended to optimize self-consumption and reduce energy costs for consumers, ensuring technological advancement aligns with societal needs. The total Horizon Europe budget for this topic is EUR 12,000,000, with individual project contributions around EUR 6,000,000.
As a Societal-Readiness pilot, proposals must adopt an interdisciplinary approach and integrate social sciences and humanities expertise to meaningfully address societal concerns. SSH experts are expected to support the socio-technological interface, facilitating the design of project objectives that enhance societal readiness and ensure active consideration of social impacts alongside technological development.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, is eligible to participate, including legal entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, such as international European research organisations, whether or not they are eligible for funding, provided that the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and any additional requirements specified in the relevant call or topic are met, and for the purposes of participation, a legal entity is defined as any natural or legal person recognised under national law, European Union law, or international law, possessing legal personality and the capacity to exercise rights and be subject to obligations in its own name, as well as entities that do not have legal personality.
LONG-LIFETIME AND SUSTAINABLE SILICON PV MODULES WITH RECYCLABLE AG AND IN-FREE DESIGN
Deadline: 30th of March 2026
Budget: €15,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant proposals to develop photovoltaic (PV) energy systems with improved sustainability, longer lifetimes, and reduced environmental impact.
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The focus is on silicon-based solar cells and modules, aiming to reduce the use of Critical Raw Materials, incorporate recycled materials, and enable recyclability and repairability. The expected outcomes include ultra-low carbon footprint PV cells and modules with lifetime extension, designs free from silver or indium that allow recyclability and repairability, support for a resilient and competitive European economic base, and reduction of strategic dependencies on critical raw materials and components. The projects are also expected to strengthen the implementation of solar energy joint research and innovation initiatives.
The total budget for this call is EUR 15,000,000, with individual contributions expected around EUR 5,000,000. Proposals should focus on extending module lifetimes up to 40 years with resilience to extreme weather, developing cell and module architectures using recycled content and free from harmful substances without compromising quality, creating designs that improve recyclability and repairability, and developing adapted testing methodologies and recycling standards. Technical solutions for on-site PV module repair should be provided, alongside analysis of the environmental benefits of recycling precious metals.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, is eligible to participate, including legal entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, such as international European research organisations, whether or not they are eligible for funding, provided that the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and any additional requirements specified in the relevant call or topic are met, and for the purposes of participation, a legal entity is defined as any natural or legal person recognised under national law, European Union law, or international law, possessing legal personality and the capacity to exercise rights and be subject to obligations in its own name, as well as entities that do not have legal personality.
HYBRID AI-CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR GRID-SCALE ENERGY STORAGE
Deadline: 30th of March 2026
Budget: €14,000,000
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to develop advanced energy solutions that combine renewable technologies, smart grid systems, and artificial intelligence to optimize energy storage, improve grid efficiency, and support Europe’s journey toward decarbonization and climate neutrality. The European Union is advancing its clean energy and digital transformation agenda through a new initiative aimed at creating a more sustainable, secure, and competitive energy supply between 2026 and 2027. The initiative focuses on developing integrated energy solutions that combine renewable energy technologies, smart energy systems, and advanced digital tools to enhance grid resilience, optimize energy storage, and support the green transition.
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The initiative also supports accelerated deployment of carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies, as well as carbon dioxide removal for negative emissions, contributing to comprehensive decarbonization strategies. Funding for these Horizon Innovation Actions amounts to approximately €14 million, with around €7 million allocated for specific innovation actions under this destination.
Projects under this initiative are expected to develop and validate systems that integrate grid-scale energy storage with hybrid artificial intelligence control mechanisms within a digital twin framework. These systems will enable proactive and adaptive management of storage and flexibility assets, optimize energy dispatch, enhance integration with electricity markets, and improve resilience even during extreme events. Real-time management, scalable cross-border integration, and field demonstrations will ensure that these innovations can serve as blueprints for EU-wide deployment.
The expected outcomes include optimized energy storage operations that reduce costs, extend asset lifespans, increase market revenues, and boost the uptake of renewable energy. By enhancing grid efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, these projects aim to lower energy costs for consumers while supporting decarbonization. The initiative also emphasizes digital and AI-driven solutions to facilitate better integration of renewable energy, improve system flexibility, and enhance overall grid resilience.
This program aligns with key European strategic priorities, including the green and digital transitions, and contributes to the EU’s climate neutrality goals. Activities will focus on renewable energy, energy systems, grids and storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). By providing advanced and competitive renewable energy technologies, the initiative strengthens European industries, technology providers, and researchers, while also delivering socioeconomic and environmental benefits to citizens and local communities.
Energy producers will gain access to efficient, competitive, and resilient renewable energy solutions, while industries benefit from enhanced export potential and technological innovation. Consumers, including hard-to-reach groups, will experience more equitable and resilient energy markets, reduced energy poverty, and opportunities for upskilling and participation in energy communities. Meanwhile, advanced solutions for grid-scale storage and system integration will support the EU’s binding renewable energy targets for 2030 and the long-term goal of full decarbonization by 2050.
Through the combination of renewable energy technologies, AI-driven digital twins, and scalable storage solutions, this initiative aims to transform the European energy system into one that is more sustainable, resilient, and competitive, paving the way for a cleaner and smarter energy future.
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Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, is eligible to participate, including legal entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, such as international European research organisations, whether or not they are eligible for funding, provided that the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation and any additional requirements specified in the relevant call or topic are met, and for the purposes of participation, a legal entity is defined as any natural or legal person recognised under national law, European Union law, or international law, possessing legal personality and the capacity to exercise rights and be subject to obligations in its own name, as well as entities that do not have legal personality.
HUMANITARIAN CRISES IN UKRAINE: “CIVIL PROTECTION SHELTER COALITION”
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €2,000,000
The aim of this Call is to support initiatives and projects in those regions of Ukraine which have been severely affected by the consequences of armed conflict, displacement of populations and fragile health systems. Initiatives which can be supported under this Call aim at sustaining and safeguarding the lives of vulnerable populations in affected communities.
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The humanitarian assistance measures which can be funded in this situation need to focus on the creation, renovation and furnishing of civil protection shelters supplemented by relief and protection interventions to address the humanitarian needs of the affected population, in close cooperation with local/national and international actors including the UN Coordination mechanisms and relevant authorities.
Actions must take place in Ukraine.
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Entitled to apply are development organisations as per Section 3 (2) Federal Act on Development Cooperation (EZA-G) based in Austria and accredited by ADA for implementing humanitarian aid (Category 1).
CULTURE HELPS SOLIDARITY – FIRST CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR COLLABORATION GRANTS
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €450,000
This open call is the first cascading grant call for proposals offered by the Culture Helps Solidarity project, selected under the call for fostering Ukrainians’ access to culture and cultural heritage. Culture Helps Solidarity supports arts and culture professionals from Ukraine to sustain creativity, resilience, and community connection during and after the war.
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This call for proposals seeks to support collaborative projects between at least two organisations in Ukraine and Creative Europe countries respectively, that work with culture to improve access to cultural participation and support the integration of internally displaced persons(IDPs) and refugees into their host communities – with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as veternas, and their mental well-being. It prioritises partnerships between Ukrainian-led organisations, whether based in Ukraine or operating in exile, and non-Ukrainian organisations, especially from neighboring Creative Europe countries.
Through these collaborations, the call aims to foster: (1) cross-border networking, the exchange of professional experience and good practices, (2) stronger capacities for intercultural dialogue and mental health support, and
the professional development of cultural managers in line with EU standards, (3) while highlighting a culture of solidarity in shaping a European future for Ukraine.
Actions must take place in Ukraine and EU member states.
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Applicants should be based in Ukraine or another Creative Europe country (all EU Member States as well as certain non-EU countries) and correspond to one of the following categories: non-profit organisations, public or private bodies. At least one of the applicants must actively work on the integration of displaced people or refugees from Ukraine into new realities and communities through culture, in particular families and children. Applicants should not receive funding from any other Creative Europe scheme for the project(s) they apply with. The collaboration project has to be charitable.
CALL NO.1 FOR SMALL GRANTS
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €990,000
EEA Civil Society Fund seeks to create space for strengthening the role of civil society organizations, which play a crucial role in protecting the public interest, holding power to account, and promoting democratic values. It supports their advocacy and watchdog activities, engagement in public policy-making, and expert analysis of legislation, with an emphasis on strategic communication, data-driven work, and increasing the transparency of public administration.
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The call also responds to emerging social challenges, particularly the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the integration of refugees into Slovak society. Supported projects will contribute to equal opportunities, social inclusion, and the building of solidarity between migrants and host communities, while also addressing disinformation and strengthening social cohesion.
At the same time, the call focuses on supporting independent journalism, fact-checking, and media literacy – helping to foster a resilient society capable of critically engaging with information and safeguarding democratic public discourse.
Actions must take place in Slovakia.
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Eligible applicants are: A non-profit voluntary organisation with a non-commercial purpose, independent of local, regional and central government, public entities, political parties and commercial organisations. Religious institutions and political parties, social partners or profit-distributing cooperatives are not eligible applicants.
Advancing Eco-Tourism, Agriculture, and Green Economy in Southern Africa
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €950,000
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is inviting proposals to promote sustainable green economy solutions that generate livelihoods while supporting conservation in selected Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across Southern Africa.
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This initiative focuses on achieving sustainable economic benefits that support landscape sustainability, strengthening conservation outcomes, developing well-structured value chains and tested business models, promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries, supporting eco-tourism development, advancing renewable energy solutions, mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, and implementing inclusive, rights-based measures for communities and Indigenous Peoples.
Grants range from EUR 300,000 to EUR 950,000, require at least 10% co-financing, and support projects of 24–36 months that deliver economic and conservation impact in transboundary landscapes.
Projects may enhance agricultural productivity using climate-smart practices, develop specialty crops and non-timber forest products, improve market access, and implement post-harvest value addition. Eco-tourism activities include upgrading eco-friendly lodges, nature-based and cultural tourism experiences, and training local entrepreneurs. Community-based conservation enterprises and benefit-sharing mechanisms are encouraged to ensure local ownership and equitable growth.
Sustainable energy solutions may include solar-powered systems, energy for businesses, efficient cookstoves, biogas digesters, and community-operated energy projects. Innovative financing options such as payments for ecosystem services, biodiversity and carbon credits, and blended finance are also eligible. Projects should address human-wildlife conflict, strengthen land-use planning, and ensure meaningful community participation with attention to gender equality and environmental safeguards.
The call supports six TFCAs, including Kavango Zambezi, Great Limpopo, Chimanimani, Kgalagadi, Malawi-Zambia, and ZIMOZA & LOZAMAP, with attention to areas overlapping World Heritage sites like Mana Pools, Okavango Delta, Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls, and ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape.
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Eligible applicants include SMEs, cooperatives, NGOs, social enterprises, and public or private entities with at least three years of operational experience and partnerships that benefit local communities.
SUPPORT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA (2026)
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €12,500,000
The global objective of this Call for Proposals is to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) to effectively support and contribute to the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process. The action seeks to empower CSOs to play a proactive and influential role in fostering open and constructive dialogue with public authorities, promoting democratic governance and sustainable development, enhancing social cohesion, and strengthening community resilience to disinformation. This call for proposals is divided into five lots, each lot has its own specific objectives and priorities.
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The specific objectives and priorities of this Call for Proposals are:
· Lot 1: Enabling civil society organisations to contribute to fostering social cohesion and improving social services for vulnerable groups.
· Lot 2: Enabling civil society organisations, including grassroots women-led and women’s rights organisations, to contribute to effective prevention and response to gender-based violence in Moldova.
· Lot 3: Strengthening the internal capacity, operational effectiveness, and long‑term sustainability of grassroots CSOs, along with the CSO platforms and networks, enabling them.
· Lot 4: Strengthening cooperation between civil society organisations and local public authorities (LPAs) to engage meaningfully in implementation of reforms in the context of EU accession process – particularly local public administration reform – and to support inclusive, community driven development initiatives.
· Lot 5: To strengthen independent media, investigative journalism, and fact checking in Moldova by enhancing the professional capacity, sustainability, and reach of media actors, thereby improving the quality, credibility, and public relevance of information, particularly on EU enlargement and EU support to the Republic of Moldova.
Actions must take place in the Republic of Moldova.
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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, international (inter-governmental) organisation as defined by Article 156 of the EU Financial Regulation.
SUPPORT TO THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA SECTOR IN SERBIA 2026
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €1,500,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen freedom of expression and media quality and plurality in Serbia and hence fight against disinformation, manipulation and fake news, in line with the current Media Strategy of Serbia.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is to support media organisations and media associations in their contribution to freedom of expression, to the availability of quality media and to media plurality in Serbia.
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 print/electronic/on-line media, radio or television channel, media organisation, news agency, media production house or media association.
MATCHING GRANTS SCHEME UNDER THE GREEN HEART OF AFRICA – TIKOPE ALENDO NDI ZACHILNGEDWE M’MALAWI (TAZA) PROGRAMME
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €3,200,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is: To develop diversified and sustainable eco- and community tourism economy by supporting growth-oriented MSMEs and community-linked enterprises ensuring tangible benefits for rural communities, with a particular focus on women and youth.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is: Matching grants scheme is established and providing funding for eco- and community tourism enterprise development and investment opportunities identified and promoted in priority areas and accompanied with capacity building for potential and actual grant applicants.
Actions must take place in Malawi.
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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, public sector operator, international (inter-governmental) organisation 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.
STRENGTHENING THE BALTIC SEA REGION'S SECURITY AND RESILIENCE
Deadline: 31st of March 2026
Budget: €100,000
The Council of the Baltic Sea States invites proposals for projects that strengthen security, resilience, and cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.
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The focus areas and priorities for this call include strengthening societal resilience and civil protection systems, fostering regional identity through culture and education, and supporting sustainable development for inclusive economic and social growth. The thematic areas covered in the call are civil security, regional identity building, and sustainability, all aimed at fostering cooperation, awareness, and capacity-building within the Baltic Sea Region.
The PSF also supports training and capacity-building efforts for national and local actors, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and migrants. Additionally, projects that involve youth, especially in fostering their role as future leaders and builders of the region, are particularly encouraged.
The CBSS also welcomes projects that engage Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of exchange and cooperation with Ukraine to strengthen regional ties and mutual learning.
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The PSF offers grants of up to 65,000 euros per project, with the goal of developing and expanding cooperation between national, regional, and local governments, civil society organisations, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. The call specifically encourages the exchange of good practices and awareness-building about common regional challenges, particularly in managing the increasing risks from natural and man-made disasters.
THRIVING FARMERS, RESILIENT ECOSYSTEMS, EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES
Deadline: 1st of April 2026
Budget: €1,500,000
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) invites applications for financial support from projects that aim to transform commodity value chains and uplift smallholder and SME-based enterprises in CFC member countries. The CFC provides a variety of financial and technical support options to empower SMEs, cooperatives, International Commodity Bodies (ICBs), and other institutions, particularly those led by or supporting women in agriculture.
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Their mission is to alleviate poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in commodity-dependent communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable in the global value chains, including in areas of production, processing, financing, marketing, and R&D. Successful applications should demonstrate tangible, sustainable impacts on the lives of low-income populations who depend on commodities, with particular focus on female smallholders and women-led enterprises.
Quality project proposals from LDCs (Least Developed Countries), LLDCs (Landlocked Developing Countries) and SIDs (Small Island Developing States) will be given priority to alleviate more people from poverty. Projects focused on the sustainable use and conservation of forest resources in the Congo Basin region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo). Funding proposals concerning small ticket sizes for projects based outside capital cities, focused on domestic markets or non-traditional value chains, and without prior international investment in the following countries: Senegal, Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe
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Eligible are SMEs/enterprises/businesses/cooperatives/financial institutions/governments. Women entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO NATIONAL ROMA CONTACT POINTS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €1,500,000
The call’s objective is to promote equality and prevent and combat inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and respect the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds provided for in Article 21 of the Charter. Particularly, the call has the objective to promote and facilitate dialogue, mutual learning, cooperation, and policy review among all national stakeholders through the national Roma platforms, while strengthening Roma participation – particularly of women and young people – including through the nomination of Roma representatives to ensure links between national and European Roma platforms.
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Themes and priorities (scope): Strengthening the national Roma consultation processes in Member States through national Roma platforms convened and managed by national Roma contact points (NRCPs).
Actions must take place in the Member States of the European Union plus associated countries.
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Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies). Applicants must be established in the eligible countries.
EUROPEAN VOD NETWORKS AND OPERATORS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €8,000,000
The objective is to support European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators, screening a significant proportion of non-national European works, with the aim to improve their competitiveness and attractiveness.
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Expected results are:
· Strengthen the cross-border collaboration among European Video On Demand (VOD) platforms through joint/collaborative activities to increase the online audience of European audiovisual content;
· Strengthen attractiveness of eligible European Video On Demand (VOD) platforms for cross-border audiences and online consumption at a larger scale;
· Improve the digital circulation and consumption of European content by boosting its visibility, discoverability and prominence;
· Develop new business models and achieve cross-border economies of scope and scale.
Description of the activities to be funded under the call for proposals:
· Joint/collaborative actions across borders with the aim to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of European VOD platforms offering a significant proportion of non-national European audiovisual works as well as to increase the accessibility, visibility, discoverability and prominence of European content for a wider global audience (European and international).
· Applications should present adequate strategies to ensure more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus listed EEA countries.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-21: Development of safe and sustainable alternatives to substances of concern (IA)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €7,500,000
Make safer and more sustainable alternatives to substances of concern available to the industries offering products with targeted performances and supporting their competitiveness,
• Speeding up the innovation cycle within a value chain important for European industry;
• Enhancing competitiveness of the industries by reducing regulatory and operational costs, while making supply chains more secure;
• Production processes, chemicals, materials and products that are inherently safer and more sustainable for a clean and autonomous economy; and
• Demonstrating how the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) chemicals cand materials framework can guide innovation.
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Scope:
The focus of this topic is on alternatives for the substitution of substances of concern (SoCs) as defined in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product regulation19. The design and development of these alternatives should lead to an innovation cycle covering their (re)design, development, production processes, and integration into products in manufacturing.
The scope includes necessary developments of related processes and technologies to ensure alignment with and integration in industrial manufacturing facilitating uptake of the develop alternatives. If relevant, challenges for the adaption of existing production lines should be identified and solutions proposed.
Proposals should develop new chemical substances, advanced materials or technologies to replace existing SoC in one of the following areas: energy, mobility, construction, electronics, [technical textiles as well as health/medical devices]
Proposals should demonstrate that the proposed alternative has a clear use case, market and potential to grow. The substitution barriers for the selected applications should be identified and a driving mechanism for a maximal substitution in the targeted value chains proposed.
The SSbD framework should guide the innovation process towards safer and more sustainable chemicals and advanced materials. The new alternatives to be developed should meet the technical functions required in the specific applications while aligning their innovation process decision making with such framework.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-22: NEW ADVANCED MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES – REDUCING DEPENDENCIES ON CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC RAW MATERIALS(IA) (INNOVATIVE ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR THE EU, PROCESSES4PLANET PARTNERSHIPS)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €7,500,000
Reducing dependencies of critical and strategic raw materials through partial or total substitution by safe and sustainable advanced materials and/or via more efficient use of critical and strategic raw materials in production processes;
• Speeding up the innovation cycle within a value chain important for European industry;
• Enhancing competitiveness of the industries and operational costs, while making supply chains more secure;
• New or improved production processes, advanced materials and products that are inherently safer and more sustainable, supporting a clean and autonomous economy; and
• Demonstrating how the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) chemicals and materials framework can guide innovation.
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Scope:
The focus of this topic is on alternatives for the substitution or more efficient use of critical and strategic raw materials20. The design and development of advanced materials and processes should lead to an innovation cycle covering the (re)design of materials and production processes, and the integration of innovative advanced materials into products.
Proposals should develop advanced materials or process technologies to replace or reduce the use of critical and strategic raw materials in one of the following areas: energy, mobility, construction, electronics, as well as health/medical devices
Proposals should address one or several of the following approaches:
▪ Design, development and production with targets on performance, safety and sustainability of innovative advanced materials substituting or making a more efficient use of critical and strategic raw materials.
▪ Innovative industrial processes for the reduction of the use of critical and strategic raw materials focussed on optimizing process safety, sustainability, flexibility, scalability, cost-efficiency.
▪ Co-development strategies for innovative advanced materials and industrial processes. These strategies should demonstrate the value of co-development through specific use cases while maintaining broad relevance across various materials and process types.
Proposals should demonstrate a clear use case, market and potential to grow. The substitution barriers for the selected applications should be identified and a driving mechanism for a maximal substitution in the targeted value chains proposed.
The scope includes necessary adaptations of related processes and technologies to ensure alignment with and integration in industrial manufacturing facilitating uptake of the developed solutions. If relevant, challenges for the adaption of existing production lines should be identified and solutions proposed.
The SSbD framework should be used to guide the innovation process towards safer and more sustainable s advanced materials and processes. The new alternatives to be developed should meet the technical functions required in the specific applications while aligning their innovation process decision making with such framework. 20 https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/eu-critical-raw-materials; as well as Annex I and II of the Critical Raw Material Act.
This topic implements the co-programmed European partnerships Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU (IAM4EU).
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-23-two-stage: Accelerating the discovery of chemicals and advanced materials through artificial intelligence and digitalisation (IA) (Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU partnership)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €20,000,000
Expected Outcome:
• Accelerating the discovery process for advanced materials and chemicals through digital tools developed in Europe;
• Supporting the operationalisation of the SSbD framework;
• Making a step change in the risk assessment of chemicals and advanced materials in Europe.
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Scope: Proposals should accelerate the pathway to market of new substances (chemicals or advanced materials) with superior or novel functionalities. This can be achieved with novel tools or proofs of concept using digital methods to accelerate development of new materials and demonstration of their properties. Where possible this should be in collaboration with the Materials Commons for Europe, contributing data and (where possible newly developed) digital tools applicable to the design, development, production, manufacturing, use and end of life phases, which connect to workflows. Additionally where appropriate collaboration with the DIGIPASS project should be considered. These workflows and tools may include the use of artificial intelligence as well as self-driving labs and their interconnection. They should also drive innovation in risk assessment, new test methods and support and facilitate the operationalisation and use of the SSbD framework. Projects should include demonstrators.
By doing so, new cutting-edge advanced materials with superior or novel functionalities and alternatives to substances of concern should be developed more rapidly in Europe. In addition, digital feedback loops ranging from requirements and information from production processes and scale-up, to manufacturing and integration into products, should be developed to accelerate market uptake. Innovative digital tools to speed up risk assessment and thereby market access of chemicals and advanced materials may also be addressed.
Interoperable workflows (in particular through collaboration with the Materials Commons for Europe) should help to reduce the cost of the digital transition for industry with respect to circularity and safe and sustainable by design, e.g. by reducing the risk for adopters and vendors, and through modular tools that can be extended to new application domains without a major redesign. Tools should foster workflows in that ensure high-quality, well-structured and documented primary FAIR data, enabling the re-use and/or streamlining of large data sets, facilitating academic and industrial collaborations and integrating AI and other digital technologies. Synergies with the SSbD toolboxes can also be foreseen.
This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU (IAM4EU)
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-24: Cooperation on innovative advanced materials with Japan (CSA)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €800,000
Expected Outcome:
• European-Japanese cooperation in the filed of innovative advanced materials is strengthened.
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Scope: In the context of the Communication ‘Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership’ and the recent cooperation with Japan in this area, the purpose of this action is to enable researchers in innovative advanced materials from Member States and Associated Countries to make research visits to related Japanese institutions.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-01: Advanced manufacturing for key products (including use of advanced or secondary raw materials) (IA) (Made in Europe partnership)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
Expected Outcome:
• Advanced manufacturing technology and machinery becomes available in Europe for the manufacturing of key and high-performance products;
• Where relevant, production becomes increasingly circular through the reuse of secondary raw materials; and/or advanced materials are incorporated in manufactured products, leading to better performance and quality;
• Resource efficiency in terms of materials and energy is increased significantly; and
• Circularity, productivity and competitiveness are increased and hence resilience of European industry is enhanced.
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Scope: This topic addresses technologies and machinery for advanced manufacturing, focusing on manufacturing excellence and on increasing circularity, including through the better use of advanced and secondary raw materials. The focus is on key components and products that are competitive and have enhanced performance, and contribute to Europe’s technological leadership in manufacturing, but which are at risk of being lost to Europe or rely on raw materials or parts whose supply is mostly coming from outside Europe.
Proposals should develop technologies and machinery to enable the manufacturing of these components with a minimal use of critical raw materials [reference to overall targets] or imported materials. This includes an increased use of secondary raw materials or biobased materials or revalorised components.
Where appropriate to enhance performance and quality, proposals should target the use of advanced materials (such as lightweight, functionalised or self-healing materials). In this case, the development of the advanced materials should not be the main focus of proposals, nevertheless the necessary steps to adapt such advanced materials to the needs of the manufacturing application should be included.
Examples of advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery include, but are not restricted to:
• Innovative additive manufacturing;
• Hybrid manufacturing (additive, subtractive);
• Photonics;
• Advanced joining technologies;
• Polymer composite manufacturing;
• Advanced technologies for surface treatment and structuring, to tailor surface properties for specific applications; and
• Manufacturing of components with lightweight materials; and
• In-line testing.
The portfolio approach will be used, to ensure that at least one proposal focusing on the automotive industry, excluding the production of batteries, is funded.
International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Japan or Taiwan.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-02: Advanced manufacturing for key products (including use of advanced or secondary raw materials) (IA) (Made in Europe partnership)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
Expected Outcome:
• Advanced manufacturing technology and machinery becomes available in Europe for the manufacturing of key and high-performance products;
• Where relevant, production becomes increasingly circular through the reuse of secondary raw materials; and/or advanced materials are incorporated in manufactured products, leading to better performance and quality;
• Resource efficiency in terms of materials and energy is increased significantly; and
• Circularity, productivity and competitiveness are increased and hence resilience of European industry is enhanced.
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Scope: This topic addresses technologies and machinery for advanced manufacturing, focusing on manufacturing excellence and on increasing circularity, including through the better use of advanced and secondary raw materials. The focus is on key components and products that are competitive and have enhanced performance, and contribute to Europe’s technological leadership in manufacturing, but which are at risk of being lost to Europe or rely on raw materials or parts whose supply is mostly coming from outside Europe.
Proposals should develop technologies and machinery to enable the manufacturing of these components with a minimal use of critical raw materials [reference to overall targets] or imported materials. This includes an increased use of secondary raw materials or biobased materials or revalorised components.
Where appropriate to enhance performance and quality, proposals should target the use of advanced materials (such as lightweight, functionalised or self-healing materials). In this case, the development of the advanced materials should not be the main focus of proposals, nevertheless the necessary steps to adapt such advanced materials to the needs of the manufacturing application should be included.
Examples of advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery include, but are not restricted to:
• Innovative additive manufacturing;
• Hybrid manufacturing (additive, subtractive);
• Photonics;
• Advanced joining technologies;
• Polymer composite manufacturing;
• Advanced technologies for surface treatment and structuring, to tailor surface properties for specific applications; and
• Manufacturing of components with lightweight materials; and
• In-line testing.
International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Japan or Taiwan.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-08: Advanced processing and manufacturing technologies, business models and system approaches for competitive textile circularity (IA) (Textiles for the Future partnership)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
Expected Outcome:
• Increased economically viable and functionally equivalent renewable material and sustainable chemical solutions used in large scale textile applications, including apparel, home and technical textiles;
• A realistic pathway for an absolute reduction of virgin fossil-based materials and chemicals used to produce textile products for the EU market by 2035;
• Business models and system approaches that allow sustainable textile material and chemical alternatives to be scaled up, despite initial cost disadvantages, against conventional solutions
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Scope: Innovative renewable textile fibres and sustainable chemical solutions today face almost insurmountable cost disadvantages compared to extremely cost-competitive and industrially entrenched conventional fibres and chemicals based on virgin fossil resources. This problem creates a massive bottleneck for true textile circularity. To allow renewable materials and sustainable chemicals to scale up, improved processability, suitable processing technology, deeper technical knowledge and smart phase-in approaches such as material blending or drop-in solutions are required. Specific emphasis must be placed on resulting final product quality and functionality to avoid negative user/consumer perception of products made with renewable materials and sustainable chemicals. As not all cost and quality challenges may be immediately overcome by technological innovation, accompanying business models and systems approaches are needed to enable equitable cost and risk sharing among all involved stakeholders in the textile value chain.
Attributes such as recyclability, recycled material content, and renewability are expected to be part of the textile-specific requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. T
Proposals should specifically address:
· Innovative processing technologies to facilitate the efficient utilisation of recycled, regenerated and bio-based fibres as well as sustainable processing and functionalising sustainable chemicals across all major stages of the textile manufacturing value chain, such as spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing or finishing;
· Characterisation, quality assurance and mitigation strategies for the most common processing and functionality challenges and limitations of the sustainable materials and chemicals targeted;
· Development of best practices and training materials targeted at manufacturers, brands and end users, working with the targeted materials and chemicals;
· Strategies and tools to practically implement collective risk sharing and smart scaling approaches.
Proposals should actively involve suppliers of renewable materials and sustainable chemicals, brands, commercial end users and developers/manufacturers of relevant processing technology and industrial partners with the capacity to commercially scale up production with the targeted materials and chemicals. The involvement of partners beyond the manufacturing supply chain, such as product designers, brands, commercial end users and end of life managers including recyclers and remanufacturers is particularly encouraged. Proposals should carry out research and innovation to develop missing elements and achieve the necessary integration, including economic viability. Hence, synergies with, or using results from, other projects may be appropriate. The mere integration of existing technologies or processes is outside the scope of this topic.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-08: Advanced processing and manufacturing technologies, business models and system approaches for competitive textile circularity (IA) (Textiles for the Future partnership)
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €6,500,000
Expected Outcome:
• An industrial ecosystem for circularity in manufacturing industries emerges, enhancing both circularity and resilience;
• De-manufacturing technologies and practices become available, making decisive contributions to a European remanufacturing industry and market;
• Functions of products are retained, reused, upgraded or adapted through de-manufacturing and re-manufacturing; and
• Skills, standards and safety measures relevant to remanufacturing are developed.
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Scope: Proposals should focus on developing de-manufacturing and re-manufacturing technologies at the factory level, addressing at least three of the following:
• Technologies to efficiently analyse part condition, including for components of lower value, e.g. combining sensor data and AI with human inputs;
• AI and robotic-assisted technologies to de-manufacture products and components, including handling, sorting and extended logistics;
• Model-based systems, to allow de-manufacturing and re-manufacturing operators to use CAD data and digital twins related to the original parts;
• Solutions allowing local (on-site) repair or re-manufacturing of high-added value components (applied to e.g. wind turbines, aircraft and vessels); and
• Solutions to plan the sequence of operations based on the characteristics of the incoming products to be re-manufactured.
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Entities eligible for funding
To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
countries associated to Horizon Europe
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
the following low- and middle-income countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt (Arab Republic), El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
International organisations — International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding.
MSCA COFUND FOR DOCTORAL CANDIDATES OR POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €105,460,000
The European Commission aims to spread the best practices of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions by supporting international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary research training, as well as international and cross-sectoral mobility of researchers at all stages of their career.
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The action supports new or existing doctoral and postdoctoral programmes that enhance human resources in research and innovation at regional, national, or international level through co-funding under MSCA COFUND. Proposed programmes may be completely open to all research disciplines or may focus on specific disciplines, particularly when aligned with national or regional Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation, while still allowing reasonable flexibility for researchers to define their research topics. with an indicative budget of EUR 105.46 million (TBC).
Doctoral programmes supported under this action provide research training leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and are based on the EU Principles on Innovative Doctoral Training. These programmes are expected to include substantial training modules addressing transferable skills, including digital skills such as generative AI, and to foster Open Science, knowledge valorisation, research integrity, and where applicable innovation and entrepreneurship, while encouraging international, cross-sectoral, and interdisciplinary mobility.
Postdoctoral programmes fund advanced research training and career development fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, focusing on transferable skills, digital competences, Open Science practices, knowledge valorisation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and good scientific conduct. These programmes must apply open, transparent, and merit-based selection procedures with international peer review, offer regular selection rounds, and support international, cross-sectoral, and interdisciplinary mobility while allowing researchers to freely choose their research topic and host organisation.
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The MSCA co-funding is provided as a COFUND allowance per researcher-month, and funding synergies with Cohesion Policy Funds and other European Union funding sources are strongly encouraged. Each recruited researcher must have a Career Development Plan jointly established with their supervisor at the start of recruitment, covering research objectives, training and career needs, transferable skills, teaching activities, publication planning, and participation in conferences and public engagement activities, with updates within 18 months.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: DEVELOPING BASIC SKILLS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
Projects under this topic will aim to foster the application of (ethical, transparent, and explainable) AI-based PLPs at school education and initial VET level, specifically addressing learners at EQF levels 1 to 4.
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The projects should target one or more of the basic skills focusing on the priorities below (projects should show awareness of all priorities, but the depth and focus can vary depending on the project’s scope):
§ Support the deployment of AI-powered PLPs for basic skills development: leveraging PLPs that use AI, machine learning, or other innovative methods to tailor learning journey, content and pace to individual learners’ needs.
§ Improve basic skills acquisition: improving learners’ skills in the basic skills set, as laid out in the Action Plan on Basic Skills, to enhance their learning process and increase their employability and participation in society, through an interdisciplinary approach.
§ Measure the improvement of basic skills education: learning progress and basic skills development should be made measurable through student and teacher dashboards and learning analytics, complemented by systematic feedback collection from learners and educators.
§ Enhance innovative pedagogies and approaches, by supporting adaptive, data-driven teaching, learning, and assessment methods (such as micro-learning and competency-based progress) enabling schools to foster effective, learner-centred, and inclusive environments that strengthen basic skills, to enhance the effectiveness education and training for basic skills provision.
§ Foster a level-playing field among learners: proposing innovative pedagogical approaches to use AI-based PLPs in a collaborative environment that supports learners at different levels of attainment to progress together and inclusively towards shared learning goals.
§ Promote an effective and ethical use of AI in education, ensuring the AI systems used are transparent, explainable, ethical and in accordance with European data and privacy regulations.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) active in the field of education and training, research and innovation or in the world of work
DIGITAL EDUCATION: AI-POWERED PERSONALISED LEARNING PATHWAYS FOR BASIC SKILLS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
Projects under this topic will aim to foster the application of (ethical, transparent, and explainable) AI-based PLPs at school education and initial VET level, specifically addressing learners at EQF levels 1 to 4.
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The projects should target one or more of the basic skills focusing on the priorities below (projects should show awareness of all priorities, but the depth and focus can vary depending on the project’s scope):
§ Support the deployment of AI-powered PLPs for basic skills development: leveraging PLPs that use AI, machine learning, or other innovative methods to tailor learning journey, content and pace to individual learners’ needs.
§ Improve basic skills acquisition: improving learners’ skills in the basic skills set, as laid out in the Action Plan on Basic Skills, to enhance their learning process and increase their employability and participation in society, through an interdisciplinary approach.
§ Measure the improvement of basic skills education: learning progress and basic skills development should be made measurable through student and teacher dashboards and learning analytics, complemented by systematic feedback collection from learners and educators.
§ Enhance innovative pedagogies and approaches, by supporting adaptive, data-driven teaching, learning, and assessment methods (such as micro-learning and competency-based progress) enabling schools to foster effective, learner-centred, and inclusive environments that strengthen basic skills, to enhance the effectiveness education and training for basic skills provision.
§ Foster a level-playing field among learners: proposing innovative pedagogical approaches to use AI-based PLPs in a collaborative environment that supports learners at different levels of attainment to progress together and inclusively towards shared learning goals.
§ Promote an effective and ethical use of AI in education, ensuring the AI systems used are transparent, explainable, ethical and in accordance with European data and privacy regulations.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) active in the field of education and training, research and innovation or in the world of work
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY AND RECOGNITION OF VET QUALIFICATIONS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €8,000,000
The pilot projects need to focus on developing joint VET programmes (full or partial) in a transnational setting at EQF levels 3-5. Various approaches are possible, such as creating modules developed by VET providers from different countries or sectoral/craft organisations at the European level.
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The projects should aim towards integrating these into qualifications registered in a national or regional qualification framework or system, for example by utilising the optional areas within vocational training programmes. Projects could also aim to develop a comprehensive qualification in a transnational context to address gaps within national and/or regional formal qualification systems.
They should utilise EU instruments and transparency tools such as EQAVET, EQF, Europass and ESCO and could build on the outcome of existing transnational cooperation initiatives which have developed joint training content and modules.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) active in the field of education and training, research and innovation or in the world of work
ADULT EDUCATION: MOTIVATION IN MOTION: EMPOWERING ADULTS TO UP- AND RESKILLING
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
This topic asks for proposals to pilot innovative approaches to stimulate adults to engage in learning activities in their usual and trusted environments, as well as providing a flexible offer that helps them overcome barriers to training such as time constraints or care duties.
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The projects should aim towards integrating these into qualifications registered in a national or regional qualification framework or system, for example by utilising the optional areas within vocational training programmes. Projects could also aim to develop a comprehensive qualification in a transnational context to address gaps within national and/or regional formal qualification systems.
They should utilise EU instruments and transparency tools such as EQAVET, EQF, Europass and ESCO and could build on the outcome of existing transnational cooperation initiatives which have developed joint training content and modules.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
SCHOOL EDUCATION: STEM EDUCATION CENTRES
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
This topic would aim to support a gradual establishment and development of transnational collaborative partnerships and networks of STEM Education Centres to strengthen and/or build up local and regional STEM/STEAM learning ecosystems for educational innovation and social inclusion. Such ecosystems should respond to different cultural and educational contexts and varying, specific needs in each EU country, while building on existing structures and initiatives where available, or creating new ones.
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The Centres should be guided by the community-based learning concepts such as the whole school approach or an open schooling, and align with the latest advances in STEM fields e.g. linked to the green and digital transitions, based on research; they should promote a systemic approach in STEM and STEAM education, e.g. with aggregated pedagogical standards, monitoring of learning outcomes, and professional development of educators, going far beyond a simple provision of quality STEM and STEAM education teaching and learning.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
SCHOOL EDUCATION: PROFICIENCY IN BASIC SKILLS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €9,000,000
Europe’s competitiveness and social cohesion depend on strong basic skills. Too many young people across the EU struggle with reading, mathematics, science, digital and citizenship skills. Underachievement in basic skills is threatening innovation, democracy and economic competitiveness.
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In the Action Plan on Basic Skills the European Commission addresses underachievement in basic skills and promotes inclusion and excellence, starting from early childhood education and care and through all stages of school education. The Action Plan comprises measures directed at learners, educators, policy makers, parents and the wider community.
The objective of topic 6 is to test and validate measures at the school level that have the potential to reduce underachievement in basic skills among children and young people, with a view to supporting school authorities in implementing these measures at scale through impactful structural reforms, policies or initiatives.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
MICRO-CREDENTIALS – FOCUS ON ECO-SYSTEMS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €3,000,000
The objective of this topic is to support reforms and policy impact in Member States and/or third countries associated to the Programme in the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability, as well as implementation of other policy objectives (in particular developing micro-credentials’ eco-systems in STEM). Micro- credentials are the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. Micro-credentials make it possible for individuals to acquire knowledge, skills and competences in a flexible and targeted way.
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They can be instrumental in upskilling and reskilling of learners, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, so that they can adapt to a fast-changing labour market. Micro-credentials do not replace, however, traditional qualifications. Under the Union of Skills, the focus is on expanding the use of micro-credentials as flexible learning solutions, in line with the European approach, to ensure that they are trusted, understandable, issued digitally and comparable across sectors and countries, for which the engagement
of all kind of stakeholders (also beyond formal education and training providers) is fundamental.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
ADULT EDUCATION: SUPPORT TO THE REGIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIPS IN THE PACT FOR SKILLS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
This topic aims at supporting existing regional partnerships (partnerships at the level of one region within a country or involving more than one region, within one or more countries) in the Pact for Skills to develop and implement concrete activities/commitments to train people of working age.
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Projects should implement all the activities listed below:
§ Develop and support governance structures or arrangements connecting members within the same Regional Skills Partnership.
§ Support the definition, implementation, and monitoring of concrete commitments of a Regional Skills Partnership, such as: gathering skills intelligence; upskilling of low-skilled people; reskilling people for new tasks in their jobs or reskilling of people from certain sectors with skills transferable to other sectors according to regional needs.
§ Develop and support cooperation in the above fields of activity between regional and/or local authorities and other stakeholders that are members of the same Regional Skills Partnership.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
DIGITAL EDUCATION CONTENT: SUCCESS FACTORS IN DECISION MAKING AND USE BY TEACHERS, TRAINERS AND SCHOOL/INSTITUTION LEADERS
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €2,000,000
§ Promote and establish collaboration and agreement between teachers/educators, creators/providers of digital education content, and educational authorities on the necessary quality criteria for the selection, creation, adaptation, use and evaluation of DEC, using the European Commission Guidelines on “Making informed choices on digital education content” as a starting point.
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Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
DIGITAL EDUCATION: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ETHICAL DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Deadline: 8th of April 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
This topic invites proposals that successfully establish public-private partnerships for the pedagogically driven design, development, deployment and use of ethical, trustworthy AI-based resources to improve teaching and learning. Proposal should demonstrate that their outcomes can be transferable and scalable across the EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme and should focus on formal education and training.
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Projects should propose activities promoting trans-national cooperation and mutual learning to define particularly effective ways to facilitate public-private partnerships in AI that integrate the ethical dimension by default and propose guidance for its implementation at different steps of its development and use (including AI literacy and skills).
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
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This can include libraries, community, cultural, sport, health and social inclusion centres, but also the workplace and public employment services. Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective.
Activities must take place in EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGE FOR EMERGING AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 2026
Deadline: 12th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has announced the Business Partnership Challenge 2026, a funding opportunity aimed at combating poverty, promoting peace, and protecting the environment.
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This initiative supports projects that foster systemic and lasting change by strengthening institutional capacities, connecting local and international partners, and implementing international norms and standards. Projects are also expected to be inclusive, engaging multiple local stakeholders such as enterprises, civil society organizations, and public authorities to reach a wide range of beneficiaries. Innovative approaches, including digital solutions, are encouraged to address development challenges specific to partner countries.
Eligible projects must contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve living conditions in countries of the Global South, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs). While contributions to any of the 17 SDGs are accepted, all projects are required to focus on SDG 8, which promotes decent jobs and income generation for local stakeholders, and SDG 9, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs.
A total of EUR 5,000,000 has been allocated for the Business Partnership Challenge 2026, with grants ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 1,000,000 per project. Applicants must contribute at least 50 percent of the total project costs in cash. Funding disbursements will be based on verified interim financial statements, accompanied by narrative reports demonstrating project progress and financial accountability. Projects must last between three and five years, allowing for significant and measurable impact.
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Eligible applicants include enterprises and chambers engaged in development cooperation under Austria’s Development Cooperation Act, as well as voluntary associations and non-profit foundations for which development cooperation is part of their statutory purpose and activities. Applicants must be based in Austria, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, have been in operation for at least three years, and possess the administrative, technical, and financial capacity to successfully implement the project.
The Business Partnership Challenge 2026 offers an opportunity for organizations to drive innovative and inclusive development solutions while contributing to global sustainability goals, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies in the Global South.
McGraw Fellowship: Supporting Investigative and Business Journalism
Deadline: 13th of April 2026
Budget: €100,000
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism offers experienced journalists financial and editorial support to produce in-depth enterprise and investigative stories with a strong economic, financial, or business focus.
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The fellowship focuses on producing deeply reported investigative and enterprise stories, examining the impact of changes in federal spending and policy priorities, economic inequality, corporate accountability, and other business-related issues across text, audio, and short-form video mediums. It prioritizes applicants with a proven ability to report and execute complex projects and provides editorial guidance, project development support, and assistance in placing stories in established media outlets.
The McGraw Fellowship provides grants of up to $15,000 per project, which can cover reporting expenses and, for freelance journalists, living expenses during the fellowship. It is a remote fellowship, allowing Fellows to work from their own offices while receiving guidance and editorial support from the McGraw Center. Selected stories are published on the McGraw Center website and may also appear in other media outlets.
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The fellowship is open to professional journalists with at least five years of experience, including freelancers, staff reporters, and editors at news organizations or journalism non-profits. Applicants should submit a concise story proposal of no more than three pages, along with three samples of professionally published work and a current resume. Finalists will be asked for references and an estimated budget. The fellowship does not support long-form documentaries at this time.
AI-DRIVEN DIGITAL AIRCRAFT DESIGN, MANUFACTURING AND MRO
Deadline: 14th of April 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
European Commission (EC) invites proposals to develop robust AI-assisted capabilities for digital aircraft design, manufacturing, operation, maintenance, and overhaul. The focus areas include AI-assisted digital aircraft design, redesign, and certification in collaboration with digital twins and virtual products, AI-assisted tools for requirement definition, validation, and verification, and AI-supported digital aircraft manufacturing, operation, condition monitoring, and maintenance activities.
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Proposals may address robust and accelerated training of AI capabilities, high-performance AI-assisted computing for multi-disciplinary design, protocols and standards for the aircraft manufacturing and MRO supply chain, accelerated experimental validation of machine learning algorithms, verifiable use of Generative AI and Large Language Models for regulated areas, AI-assisted prescriptive maintenance procedures, and human-in-the-loop AI-assisted maintenance assistance systems.
The call is part of Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), with a total contribution of €10,000,000 and individual project funding around €5,000,000. The scope covers all aircraft components, including propulsion, aerostructures, systems, and their integration. Projects are expected to enhance efficiency, safety, circularity, and digital twin integration across the aircraft lifecycle.
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Any legal entity is eligible to participate, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations such as international European research organisations, whether or not they are eligible for funding, provided that they meet the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation along with any additional requirements specified in the relevant call or topic.
NETWORKS OF EUROPEAN FESTIVALS
Deadline: 14th of April 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
The Networks of European festivals shall provide support to coordinated/collaborative activities among European audiovisual festivals aiming at increasing audiences’ interest in non-national European audiovisual content and promoting its circulation and visibility.
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Expected results are:
· Reinforce cooperation among European audiovisual festivals members of a Network screening a significant proportion of non-national European films and audiovisual works through coordinated/collaborative activities targeted to expand and renew audiences
· Increase the impact of European audiovisual festivals aiming to reinforce promotion, distribution and circulation of non-national European films and audiovisual works to growing audiences across Europe
· Foster exchange of knowledge and best-practice models for cooperation among festivals through coordinated/collaborative activities targeted to expand and renew audiences
· Harness the digital transformation, including developing and updating online tools and dana applications
Actions must take place in EU member states plus listed countries
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Eligible are legal entities (public or private bodies).
Daylight Research Grant Program
Deadline: 14th of April 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Velux Stiftung is seeking applications for its Daylight Research Grant Program to support innovative and interdisciplinary research that explores its societal, environmental and health potential.
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The Daylight and global health theme promotes globally oriented research that examines daylight as a shared resource shaping the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, with an emphasis on real-world contexts, sustainability, and the interaction of biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
The Daylight and urbanisation theme focuses on developing scalable approaches that balance increasing urban density with adequate access to natural daylight, addressing both physiological needs and culturally shaped perceptions across different geographic and lifestyle contexts.
The call supports two types of projects. Seed projects focus on feasibility studies and proof-of-concept ideas that test high-risk, outside-the-box research concepts. Full research projects support larger, in-depth interdisciplinary studies that aim to deliver breakthroughs and do not necessarily need prior seed funding.
Projects should involve basic or applied research lasting between one and four years, with an expected budget of around CHF 50,000–100,000 per year. Requests exceeding the maximum amount require prior approval, and overhead or indirect organisational costs are not supported.
Eligible projects must clearly fall within one of the foundation’s funding areas and comply with its specific focus. In addition, they must be strongly impact-oriented, prioritising innovative, high-change ideas that introduce new perspectives or interdisciplinary connections, supported by a convincing plan to translate results into real-world change.
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The principal investigator must be a permanent employee with legal authority to represent a recognised institution, usually an academic organisation. The principal investigator is responsible for securing internal approvals, ensuring compliance with funding terms, and overseeing the project, while the host organisation manages funds and reporting.
Up to three co-principal investigators may be included as essential contributors and may request budget shares, though funds are administered centrally by the principal investigator’s organisation. Collaborators can be added without limitation, and interdisciplinary or international partnerships are encouraged, provided roles are clearly defined, partnerships are equitable, and a single main funding area is identified.
Applications that do not align with the strategic funding areas, duplicate projects eligible for other major funding sources, fail to follow the required application format, lack clear knowledge-transfer plans, offer only incremental research advances, or attempt to resubmit previously rejected ideas are excluded from review. Applications from countries restricted under Swiss and international sanctions or anti–money laundering regulations are also ineligible.
Applications are assessed through a multi-stage selection process that prioritises innovation, interdisciplinarity, and impact potential, with particular weight given to the abstract and impact sections during preselection. The deadline for this call is 13 April 2026, with final funding decisions expected in November 2026.
Enhancing the Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Agricultural Sector
Deadline: 14th of April 2026
Budget: €13,500,000
The European Commission is inviting innovative projects that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the EU agricultural sector by promoting the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural production factors, offering a unique funding opportunity for research, innovation, and practical implementation across Europe.
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The focus areas include safeguarding EU strategic autonomy and ensuring the long-term sustainability of EU farming systems; providing farmers with new knowledge, innovations, and practices to support the green transition towards sustainable and biodiversity-friendly agriculture; developing prototypes of innovations and farming practices that enhance efficiency and sustainability or offer sustainable alternatives; testing these solutions in large-scale operational environments; creating cost-effective and sustainable business models for these innovations and assessing their environmental, social, and economic impacts; identifying barriers and enablers for adoption, upscaling, or large-scale deployment of these innovations and proposing solutions; and establishing clear strategies for communication, dissemination, exploitation, and training to relevant stakeholders. Proposals are expected to implement a multi-actor approach involving farmers, advisors, researchers, social scientists, SMEs, and start-ups to leverage opportunities for scaling innovations and accessing relevant markets, while also building on results from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects and collaborating with ongoing initiatives. The effective contribution of social sciences and humanities, especially in behavioral sciences and technology adoption, is also encouraged.
This funding call provides a total budget of €13.5 million for 2026, with individual projects eligible for up to approximately €4.5 million. EU farmers face growing competitiveness challenges as total factor productivity growth has slowed compared to global competitors such as Brazil, Canada, and China. Addressing these challenges requires innovations that improve the efficiency and sustainable use of production factors. Projects should propose tangible solutions that combine economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility, promoting practices that restore biodiversity, reduce emissions, and help decarbonize the European economy. Financial support for third parties to test, develop, or demonstrate innovations is also encouraged to accelerate adoption.
The broader impact of these initiatives will support the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, contributing to fair, healthy, and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption. Projects will help ensure a secure, safe, sustainable, nutritious, and affordable food supply, empower farmers with tools, knowledge, and innovative solutions, and foster sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Furthermore, the initiatives aim to enable citizens to make sustainable food choices and enhance the competitiveness and resilience of food businesses, including SMEs, while preserving human, animal, and ecosystem health.
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Eligible participants include any legal entity from EU member states, non-associated third countries, or international organizations, provided they meet the Horizon Europe participation conditions. Entities must register in the Participant Register and obtain a validated Participant Identification Code for grant preparation.
SKILLS AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Deadline: 15th of April 2026
Budget: €9,500,000
The objective of the Skills and Talent Development support is to enhance the capacity of audiovisual professionals to adapt to new creative processes, market developments and digital technologies that affect the whole value chain. Particular focus will be put on supporting new creative processes (e.g. cross disciplinary creative collaboration, innovative storytelling blending creative and digital skills), harnessing digital innovation in audiovisual production (e.g. virtual production, post-production) and distribution (marketing, promotion, audience engagement); uptake of digital tools for videogames production and distribution; enhancing IP rights exploitation; green transition (aiming at promoting sustainable practices across the entire value chain).
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Expected results:
· To promote sustainable and more environmentally respectful solutions for the audiovisual industry
· Harness Europe’s creative talent by embracing new creative processes
· To accompany the digital transition of the audiovisual sector in support of content creation and dissemination
· To foster growth and investment through greater exploitation of IP across the EU and beyond
· Equip audiovisual and gaming professionals with a new combination of creative and digital skills, thereby increasing the competitiveness potential of the European industry
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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Eligible are legal entities (public or private bodies).
IMPROVING CLIMATE AND WEATHER MODELS FOR AFRICA
Deadline: 15th of April 2026
Budget: €21,000,000
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to strengthen weather and climate modelling in Africa to support more effective adaptation, disaster risk management, and capacity building.
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The project focuses on improving the quality and performance of weather and climate models tailored to Africa’s needs, enhancing the provision of weather predictions and climate projections to enable communities to respond to climate impacts, and bolstering African climate research to reduce reliance on external expertise, increase representation in international climate bodies, and contribute to global climate initiatives. Africa faces high vulnerability to climate change due to limited adaptive capacity, and despite global advancements in climate science, many benefits remain underutilized on the continent. This initiative seeks to address knowledge gaps in weather and climate modelling specific to Africa, improving the understanding and representation of regional, interregional, and continental climate dynamics. It aims to enhance model predictive skill and reduce uncertainties in rainfall and extreme weather events by leveraging observational data to advance process-based understanding across land, ocean, and atmospheric systems. Improved data collection, assimilation, and quality assurance, as well as integration of local and rescued historical datasets, are central to providing high-quality model inputs. Digital technologies, including AI and machine learning, as well as high-performance computing, are encouraged to support these objectives.
Research efforts are expected to be conducted in close collaboration between African and European teams to ensure relevance, co-ownership, and acceptance of solutions by African stakeholders. Capacity building and knowledge exchange are essential to equip African researchers with the tools and expertise needed for sustainable progress. Strong partnerships with universities, research institutions, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, and African Regional Climate Centers will facilitate mutual learning and collaboration.
The initiative also emphasizes synergies with other EU-supported programs in climate modelling and capacity development, such as Regional Centres of Excellence focused on the green transition. Facilitating access to European research infrastructures, including supercomputing resources and data repositories, will further strengthen institutional and regional climate expertise in Africa.
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Any legal entity is eligible to participate, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations such as international European research organisations, whether or not they are eligible for funding, provided that they meet the conditions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation along with any additional requirements specified in the relevant call or topic.
RESEARCH GRANTS ON EDUCATION: LARGE
Deadline: 15th of April 2026
Budget: €10,000,000
The Large Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. Their goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
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They recognize that learning occurs across the life course as well as across settings— from the classroom to the workplace, to family and community contexts and even onto the playing field—any of which may, in the right circumstance, provide the basis for rewarding study that makes significant contributions to the field.
Actions can take place in various countries worldwide.
We anticipate awarding grants with budgets across each of the following funding tiers: $125,000 to 250,000; $250,001 to $375,000; and $375,001 to $500,000. Within each of our funding tiers, we evaluate projects within tier and strongly encourage applicants to submit for funding that best fits their project rather than applying for the highest amount of funding.
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Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs applying for a Small Research Grant on Education must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field. While graduate students may be part of the research team, they may not be named the PI or Co-PI on the proposal. The PI must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public/governmental institution that is willing to serve as the administering organization if the grant is awarded.
NETWORKS OF TOWNS
Deadline: 16th of April 2026
Budget: €12,000,000
§ Increased citizen engagement in society, including marginalised and under-represented groups and groups at risk of discrimination, and ultimately more active citizen involvement in the democratic life of the Union;
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Actions must take place in the Member States of the European Union plus associated countries.
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Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies). Applicants must be established in the eligible countries.
ENTRIES OPEN FOR VINFUTURE PRIZE
Deadline: 17th of April 2026
Budget: €3,000,000
The VinFuture Prize honors scientific research and breakthrough technological innovations that can make a significant difference in the daily lives of millions of people. The VinFuture Prizes include a US$3 million Grand Prize and three US$500,000 Special Prizes that honour breakthrough scientific and technological innovations with proven or potential real-world impact aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
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The VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields recognises work in non-traditional and interdisciplinary areas where multiple disciplines merge to form new fields, such as Quantum Computing, Bioelectronics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Internet of Things, Biometrics, Quantum Biology and Bioengineering.
The VinFuture Prize will partner with prestigious academic institutions and organizations around the globe to identify the most outstanding nominations that create meaningful change in the everyday lives of millions of people. No self-nominations are accepted and only nominations submitted in English through the official online nomination system will be considered.
Both organizational or institutional nominators and individual nominators are eligible to submit nominations, including universities, research institutes, academies of science and technology, scientific associations, corporations, industries, innovation incubators and prominent individuals in relevant fields.
The deadline for nomination submissions for the 2026 VinFuture Prizes is 2:00 PM, April 17th, 2026 (Vietnam Time, GMT +7). Nominations received after this deadline will be considered for the following year.
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The awards are open to individual researchers or teams involved in developing scientifically validated solutions that have benefited or can benefit, millions of people globally, with special recognition for innovators from developing countries, women innovators and innovators working in emerging and interdisciplinary fields.
The VinFuture Special Prize for Women Innovators is awarded only to women researchers or innovators, with no restriction on nationality, age, social status or economic background of the nominees, highlighting their significant contributions to science, technology and innovation.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE GLOBAL ENERGY PRIZE
Deadline: 20th of April 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Global Energy Prize is inviting applications for the international scientific community to recognize outstanding achievements in energy research and development.
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Traditional Energy, Non-Traditional Energy, and New Ways of Energy Application are the three nomination categories under which submissions are accepted in the Global Energy Prize cycle. The Global Energy Prize carries a prize fund of 39 million rubles (US$500,000; RMB 3.5 million) and is awarded for exceptional scientific and technical research and development in the field of energy.
The Global Energy Association continues to expand the Prize’s geographic representation, with recent years seeing increased participation from regions with rapidly growing energy demand, including Africa and Latin America. The award ceremony will traditionally take place during Russian Energy Week in Moscow in the fall of 2026.
The Global Energy Prize emphasizes international cooperation, sustainable development, energy security, and energy conservation, and is recognized among the top 99 most prestigious international awards by the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence.
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Nominations may be submitted by scientists, research teams, and representatives of academic and scholarly organizations, while self-nominations are not permitted. The nomination period will run from January 1 to April 20, during which eligible nominators may submit candidates through the official electronic system.
All submissions will undergo an initial compliance check, followed by evaluation by independent international experts who will assess scientific value, practical significance, novelty, safety, social relevance, international recognition, and personal contribution.
Based on expert evaluations, a shortlist of 15 nominees will be formed, with up to five candidates in each nomination category. The International Award Committee will then select between two and three laureates from this shortlist. The Committee is chaired by Nobel laureate Rae Kwon Chung of the Republic of Korea and comprises leading scientists and public figures with global recognition in the energy sector.
CREATIVE INNOVATION LAB
Deadline: 23rd of April 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
The objectives of the scheme is to encourage cooperation between the audiovisual sector and the music, book or museum sectors to accompany their environmental transition and/or to improve their competitiveness and/or the circulation, visibility, discoverability, availability, diversity and the audience of European content across borders. The support also aims to enable the European audiovisual sector and these three sectors (music, books and museums) to better adapt to the opportunities offered by the development of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Worlds.
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Expected results are:
· Improve the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors: transparency, data collection and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence/big data, adaptation to the challenges and opportunities driven by the ongoing changes in those sectors;
· Improve the adaptation of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors to the opportunities offered by the development of virtual worlds (also called metaverse(s)).
· Improve the production/financing and circulation of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age;
· Increase the visibility, discoverability, availability and diversity of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age;
· Increase the potential audience of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age.
· Accelerate the environmental transition of the European audiovisual, cultural and other creative sectors, in line with the priorities of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus.
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).
EUROPEAN FILM DISTRIBUTION
Deadline: 23rd of April 2026
Budget: €34,000,000
Expected results are:
· Improvement in the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films.
· Increase in the investment in the production, acquisition, promotion, theatrical and online distribution of non-national European films.
· Develop links between the production and distribution sector thus improving the competitive position of non-national European films.
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There are two phases for the funded activities:
· The generation of a potential fund which will be attributed according to the performance of the company on the European market.
· The implementation of the action – the potential fund thus generated by each company must be reinvested in: the co-production of eligible non-national European films; the acquisition of distribution rights, for example by means of minimum guarantees, of eligible non-national European films; promotion, marketing and advertising on the market of eligible non-national European films both for theatrical and online releases.
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).
CREATIVE INNOVATION LAB
Deadline: 23rd of April 2026
Budget: €7,000,000
The objectives of the scheme is to encourage cooperation between the audiovisual sector and the music, book or museum sectors to accompany their environmental transition and/or to improve their competitiveness and/or the circulation, visibility, discoverability, availability, diversity and the audience of European content across borders. The support also aims to enable the European audiovisual sector and these three sectors (music, books and museums) to better adapt to the opportunities offered by the development of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Worlds.
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Expected results are:
· Improve the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors: transparency, data collection and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence/big data, adaptation to the challenges and opportunities driven by the ongoing changes in those sectors;
· Improve the adaptation of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors to the opportunities offered by the development of virtual worlds (also called metaverse(s)).
· Improve the production/financing and circulation of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age;
· Increase the visibility, discoverability, availability and diversity of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age;
· Increase the potential audience of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age.
· Accelerate the environmental transition of the European audiovisual, cultural and other creative sectors, in line with the priorities of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus.
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).
CELTIC-NEXT Spring Call for International ICT Research and Innovation Projects
Deadline: 24th of April 2026
Budget: €Not available
The CELTIC-NEXT Spring Call is requesting applications to support innovative international Rand D proposals focused on advancing next-generation communications for a secure, trusted, and sustainable digital society.
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The call covers a broad range of ICT-related themes, including next-generation communications, network capacity, photonics, satellite systems, mobility, security, robustness, energy efficiency, 5G and 6G technologies, Internet of Things, smart cities and smart homes, Industry 4.0, logistics, automotive telecommunications, blockchain, fintech, e-health, big data, privacy, identity, public safety, and other related ICT innovation areas aligned with the CELTIC-NEXT Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
The CELTIC-NEXT Spring Call 2026 is supports research and development projects that contribute to the commercialisation of innovative ICT products, processes, or services. The programme follows a bottom-up approach, giving applicants broad freedom to define their research topics and pursue both evolutionary and disruptive innovation without limiting creativity or ambition.
Eligible projects must involve international cooperation, focus on civilian applications, and aim at commercial outcomes. Each consortium must include at least two independent legal entities from a minimum of two Eureka countries, and no single organisation or country may account for more than 70 percent of the total project budget. Participating countries include Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye.
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Applicants are encouraged to form international consortia involving industry, SMEs, research and technology organisations, and academic institutions. Project development is supported through an online Launch Event and a Brokerage Day held in Vienna, which facilitate partner matching and collaboration across borders.
Participation in the call may provide access to national public funding, depending on the eligibility rules of the participating countries. Applicants are therefore advised to consult their respective national public authorities for detailed information on funding conditions and availability.
TACKLING GENDER STEREOTYPES IN MEDIA AND ADVERTISING
Deadline: 28th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
Objectives: Supporting, advancing and implementing comprehensive policies to promote women’s full enjoyment of rights, gender equality, including work-life balance, equal pay between women and men, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming.
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With this priority of the call, we intend to support projects that will challenge gender stereotypes and address conscious or unconscious gender bias, paying attention to explicit or implicit expectations with regard to roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that society generally considers appropriate for women or for men, girls or
boys, with a specific focus on how to effectively tackle gender stereotypes in media and advertising.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus others.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE PAY TRANSPARENCY DIRECTIVE
Deadline: 28th of April 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
Objectives: Supporting, advancing and implementing comprehensive policies to promote women’s full enjoyment of rights, gender equality, including work-life balance, equal pay between women and men, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming.
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In line with the 2020-2025 Gender Equality Strategy and to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Commission will support Member States and relevant stakeholders in developing and implementing effective strategies to increase the representation and participation of women in decision making in politics and in the corporate sector. To address the remaining challenges to achieving equal participation/representation of women and men in political and economic life, coordinated action is required in a wide range of areas, with fundamental changes, policies, measures and targeted actions that remove both societal and structural obstacles bearing in mind the need to strengthen women’s leadership and participation. Projects should take into account in their objectives and activities women in all their diversity.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus others.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
SUPPORTING EQUAL PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN AND MEN IN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING
Deadline: 28th of April 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
Objectives: Supporting, advancing and implementing comprehensive policies to promote women’s full enjoyment of rights, gender equality, including work-life balance, equal pay between women and men, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming.
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The aim of this priority is to support social partners and all relevant stakeholders and facilitate compliance with the pay transparency obligations laid down in Directive 2023/970 and promote the respect of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value between women and men.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus others.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
SUPPORTING WORK-LIFE BALANCE, EQUAL SHARE OF CARE RESPONSIBILITIES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES AMONG EMPLOYERS AND THE VALUE OF CARE SECTOR JOBS
Deadline: 28th of April 2026
Budget: €Not available
Objectives: Supporting, advancing and implementing comprehensive policies to promote women’s full enjoyment of rights, gender equality, including work-life balance, equal pay between women and men, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming.
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The aim of this priority is to support:
• Promotion of family-friendly practices among employers in the public and private sectors, encouraging the take up of the new rights under the Work-life Balance Directive by both women and men (including family leaves, new ways of work organisation, telework and hybrid working, flexibility of hours, shorter working week, job sharing …);
• Prevention and protection against any form of unfavourable treatment and discrimination of women during and after pregnancy as well as of women and men who took family leave (maternity/paternity/parental/carer leave) and flexible work arrangements;
• Promotion of equal sharing of informal care work, in particular by encouraging the role of men in informal care work and family responsibilities (for own children and dependents), including by encouraging men to take parental, paternity leave and flexible working arrangements as well as encouraging equal sharing of informal care and housework;
• Promotion of the value of formal (paid) care work by reflecting on the appreciation of skills needed for care work, including soft skills, the intensity of the work and other aspects of working conditions in care jobs and encourage the involvement of men in formal care work, both in the childcare and long-term care sectors.
Actions must take place in EU member states plus others.
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Eligibility is limited to legal entities (public or private bodies).
ENHANCING NUTRITION THROUGH MOBILISING INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE RESILIENT NUTRITION-SENSITIVE AGRI-FOOD VALUE CHAINS IN ETHIOPIA
Deadline: 28th of April 2026
Budget: €4,000,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is to improve access to healthy diets in Ethiopia particularly for women and nutritionally vulnerable groups.
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It is recognised that improved dietary quality and nutrition outcomes for women and nutritionally vulnerable groups – particularly those in the poorest quintiles – cannot be achieved by investment alone but emerge through the interaction of investment-driven income effects with complementary policy, regulatory, social protection and behaviour change measures to discourage unhealthy food environments and enable access to healthy diets.
The specific objective(s) of this call for proposals is to mobilize investment in climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive agri-food value chains in Ethiopia.
Actions can take place in Ethiopia.
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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.
SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE CHAINS IN THE FORESTRY – WOOD SECTOR
Deadline: 30th of April 2026
Budget: €4,375,000
The general objective of this call for proposals is: Contribute to the consolidation of value chains Forest so that they comply with the objectives of sustainable management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse (GHG), adaptation to climate change and conservation of Gabon’s biodiversity.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is: Strengthen Forest value chains, including in supporting the private sector, in order to meet new market requirements and implementation pilot actions aimed at the development of high added value sectors, job creators, taking into account takes into account the objectives of combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.
Actions must take place in Gabon.
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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; 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.
CONTRIBUTION TO GOVERNANCE IN THE FORESTRY-TIMBER SECTOR
Deadline: 30th of April 2026
Budget: €2,175,000
The general objective of this call for proposals is: Contribute to the consolidation of value chains Forest so that they comply with the objectives of sustainable management, reduction of gas emissions greenhouse effect (GHG), adaptation to climate change and conservation of biodiversity Gabon.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is: The exploitation of natural resources is more equitable, inclusive and transparent through effective participation of civil society.
Actions must take place in Gabon.
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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; 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.
SUPPORT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN GABON
Deadline: 30th of April 2026
Budget: €2,000,000
The general objective of this call for proposals is: To contribute to improving sustainable use and integrated marine resources and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
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The specific objective of this call for proposals is: Establish an effective system for maintaining long-term natural capital, biodiversity and marine and coastal ecosystem services.
Actions must take place in Gabon.
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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; 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.
Einstein Foundation Award
Deadline: 30th of April 2026
Budget: €500,000
The Einstein Award for Promoting Quality in Research in cooperation with the QUEST Center for Responsible Research at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité honors researchers, institutions and early career researchers around the globe whose work helps to fundamentally advance the quality, transparency and reproducibility of science and research.
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The award focuses on enhancing transparency, inclusiveness, and integrity in research processes, improving how knowledge is generated, shared, and evaluated, supporting sustainable research practices, and encouraging cultural change driven by innovative methodologies and responsible research conduct.
The award is presented in three categories that reflect different levels of contribution to research quality. The Individual Award honors individual researchers or small teams of collaborating researchers whose work advances research integrity and openness, with the laureate receiving €150,000.
The Institutional Award recognizes governmental or non-governmental organizations and research institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving research practices, with the selected organization receiving €100,000. Submissions are evaluated by an international, interdisciplinary, and diverse jury of researchers and research quality activists convened by the Einstein Foundation Council, which is responsible for selecting the awardees.
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The Early Career Award is designed for early career researchers or small teams who propose innovative projects aimed at strengthening research quality and value, offering an award of €100,000.
Early career researchers play a crucial role in shaping research culture by introducing new perspectives and practices that promote reliability and sustainability in science. Through this award, they are encouraged to develop and showcase initiatives that improve transparency, inclusiveness, and integrity, while gaining both financial support and international visibility.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR WORLD FOOD PRIZE
Deadline: 1st of May 2026
Budget: €N/a
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for the World Food Prize to award for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement that advances human development with a demonstrable increase in the quantity, quality, availability of or access to food through creative interventions at any point within the full scope of the food system.
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The fields of achievement span the entire food and agriculture system, including soil and land management, plant and animal science, food science and technology, nutrition, rural development, marketing, food processing, packaging and storage, water and environmental management, natural resource conservation, physical infrastructure, transportation and distribution, special feeding programs, social organization and poverty elimination, economics and finance, policy analysis and implementation, and public advocacy.
The achievement must demonstrate a clear increase in the quantity, quality, availability of, or access to food for a large number of people, with impact that is measurable, quantifiable, or otherwise demonstrated through reduced poverty, hunger, or suffering, or through enhanced health, nutrition, quality of life, and well-being. It must be clearly established that the improvement in food security was the direct result of the nominee’s specific actions, such that without this accomplishment, no change would have occurred.
Nominees must be living and in sufficiently good health to attend the World Food Prize Award Ceremony, deliver an acceptance speech, and participate in selected media events and the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute at the time of the ceremony. The Prize is generally awarded to one person, though in exceptional circumstances it may be shared when multiple individuals have collaborated in an indispensable and essential manner, as determined by the Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee evaluates nominations based on the scale of impact, the number of people affected, the complexity of the challenge addressed, and the ingenuity and determination demonstrated in achieving results. Consideration is also given to balance across the food system, global diversity, and efforts that promote peaceful resolution of conflict through food security initiatives.
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organizations, or governmental units, with no limit on the number of nominations submitted by an eligible entity. All nominations remain confidential, and self-nominations are not considered. Individuals may initiate nominations, but submission must be endorsed and filed through an eligible organization. The deadline for submission is May 1.
Required nomination materials include nominator and nominee information, biographical details, a photograph, a concise synopsis, a detailed statement of achievement, a statement of impact, seconding letters from at least two independent individuals, and supporting documents. All materials must be submitted digitally in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Nominees remain eligible for consideration for three years from the year of submission, with the possibility of extension at the discretion of the Selection Committee.
WE STAND WITH UKRAINE
Deadline: 5th of May 2026
Budget: €1,730,000
The purpose of this call is to support initiatives that address challenges arising from the invasion of Ukraine, primarily to support the victims of the war, to empower the (organisations) of refugees and to counter anti-Ukrainian propaganda.
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Main areas:
· Improve the situation of people who fled from Ukraine to Hungary (with special focus on refugees with Roma origin), to improve their access to basic social, education, and health-care related services, and advocate for improving their situation
· Support initiatives working against anti-Ukraine narratives and propaganda, enhancing cooperation among Ukrainian and Hungarian CSOs, communities, and contributing to the development of UA civil society
· Support to capacity development of refugee-led, migrant-led, or refugee-supporting organizations.
Actions must take place in Hungary.
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Eligible applicants are: Associations and foundations active in the one or more priority areas of the programme, that have been legally registered in Hungary at least 4 years prior to the call deadline, and have an average annual turnover over the past four financial years not less than the annualized value of the grant amount applied for.
TV AND ONLINE CONTENT FICTION PROJECTS
Deadline: 7th of May 2026
Budget: €22,000,000
The objective of the support to TV and online content is to increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop and produce strong projects with significant potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond, and to facilitate European and international co-productions within the television and online sector.
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The action aims to strengthen the independence of producers in relation to broadcasters and digital platforms, to enhance collaboration between operators, including independent producers, broadcasters, digital platforms and sales agents, from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand, in order to produce high quality programming aimed at wide international distribution and promoted to a wide audience including commercial exploitation in the multi-platform environment. Particular attention will be given to projects presenting innovative aspects in the content and in the financing that show a clear link with the envisaged distribution strategies.
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).
TV AND ONLINE CONTENT DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS
Deadline: 7th of May 2026
Budget: €22,000,000
The objective of the support to European co-development is to support the cooperation among European production companies that are developing works with a strong international audience potential.
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EExpected results are:
· Increased collaboration at development stage between European production companies from different countries and from different markets and consequently an increased number of co-productions.
· Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of selected projects.
· A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European co-development.
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).
TV AND ONLINE CONTENT ANIMATION PROJECTS
Deadline: 7th of May 2026
Budget: €22,000,000
The objective of the support to TV and online content is to increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop and produce strong projects with significant potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond, and to facilitate European and international co-productions within the television and online sector.
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The action aims to strengthen the independence of producers in relation to broadcasters and digital platforms, to enhance collaboration between operators, including independent producers, broadcasters, digital platforms and sales agents, from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand, in order to produce high quality programming aimed at wide international distribution and promoted to a wide audience including commercial exploitation in the multi-platform environment. Particular attention will be given to projects presenting innovative aspects in the content and in the financing that show a clear link with the envisaged distribution strategies.
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).
THEMATIC PROGRAMME ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY MONTENEGRO 2025
Deadline: 8th of May 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The global objective of this call for proposals is to empower CSOs and to support their efforts to promote, advance and defend human rights and democracy in Montenegro.
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The specific objectives of this call for proposals are twofold: firstly, to support CSOs and human rights defenders working in the area of prevention and fighting against discrimination and secondly, to support CSOs working in the area of protection of social, economic and cultural rights, especially for groups particularly vulnerable to discrimination.
The priorities of this call for proposals are: promotion of positive narratives, diversity, multi-culturalism; and reduction of ethnical distance and promotion of employment and social inclusion especially of vulnerable groups.
Actions can take place in Montenegro.
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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 organisation 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.
ORGANISATIONAL GRANTS
Deadline: 11th of May 2026
Budget: €5,000,000
To strengthen the “architecture” of Hungarian civil society by supporting the strategic development of CSO, i.e. to support CSOs with longer term organisational (non-restricted) grants that play key roles in accumulating, transferring and distributing knowhow, expertise and tools related to the prioritiesof the programme and/or in building, expanding and sustaining civil society networks and platforms on the regional or national level.
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CSOs will receive support to implement their multiyear strategic development and work plans, so as to enable them to continue their operation on a higher professional level, improve their capacities and sustainability as well as broaden their networks and partnerships within the broader Hungarian civil society (and internationally).
Actions must take place in Hungary.
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Eligible applicants are: Associations and foundations active in the one or more priority areas of the programme, that have been legally registered in Hungary at least 4 years prior to the call deadline, and have an average annual turnover over the past four financial years not less than the annualized value of the grant amount applied for.
COMMUNITIES LED ACTIONS GRANT PROGRAM
Deadline: 27th of May 2026
Budget: €7,500,000
The European Union is offering a significant funding opportunity through Community-Led Actions (CLA), providing grants to support projects focused on environmental protection, sustainable development, and innovation in the Mediterranean basin.
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Grants will be awarded as lump sums to cover personnel and direct costs such as goods and services, equipment, travel, subcontracting, and dissemination activities. Payments will be linked to project milestones, ensuring accountability and progress throughout the project duration.
Applicants are required to select a single primary Pillar for their project’s focus. Pillar #1 focuses on protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Pillar #2 aims to prevent and eliminate pollution of oceans, seas, and waters. Pillar #3 targets the creation of a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy. Each proposal must clearly outline the project’s challenge, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes to achieve the goals of the chosen Pillar.
A total of €7 million is available under this initiative, with individual project funding ranging from €200,000 to €1.4 million and a maximum of €500,000 allocated per third party. At least five projects will be funded, each running for up to 24 months. Payment installments will be distributed as 40% pre-financing, 45% interim, and 15% upon acceptance of the final report, providing financial stability while incentivising project completion.
The open calls are designed for communities of actors within EU Member States or Associated Countries. Eligible applicants include regional and local authorities, NGOs, associations, research and educational institutions, and companies, including SMEs, operating in the Mediterranean basin. All activities must take place in this region, and each organisation may submit only one proposal per call. Applications must be submitted in English, and all applicants must comply with EU sanctions and restrictive measures.
This initiative provides a valuable opportunity for Mediterranean-based organisations to collaborate, implement innovative solutions, and make a measurable impact on the region’s environmental sustainability and blue economy development.
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Projects must be submitted by consortia of at least two legal entities representing a Mission community. Targeted beneficiaries include ports and marinas piloting zero-discharge solutions, technology developers, municipalities and regional authorities demonstrating pollution-prevention technologies, aquaculture and aquafeed producers developing climate-smart solutions, conservation organisations and scientists deploying biodiversity monitoring and restoration tools, locally based companies and startups developing circular economy solutions, as well as research and educational institutions.
TRANSITION AGENDAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Deadline: 27th of May 2026
Budget: €1,000,000
The European Union is offering funding opportunities through the Transition Agenda Development (TA) initiative, targeting projects that advance sustainable practices, environmental protection, and governance in the Mediterranean basin.
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Applicants are required to select a single primary Pillar for their project’s focus, and the entire proposal—including the project’s challenge, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes—must be explicitly designed to achieve the goals of the chosen Pillar. Pillar #1 focuses on protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, Pillar #2 aims to prevent and eliminate pollution of oceans, seas, and waters, and Pillar #3 supports the creation of a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy.
Grants will be awarded as lump sums to cover personnel and direct costs such as goods and services, equipment, travel, subcontracting, and dissemination activities. Payments will be made in installments tied to project milestones and deliverables to ensure progress and accountability.
A total of €1 million is available under this call, with funding of up to €100,000 per project and a maximum of €100,000 per third party. At least ten projects will be funded, each running for up to 12 months. This program is designed to engage communities of actors within EU Member States or Associated Countries, focusing on entities that are established in these regions and active in the Mediterranean basin. All activities must take place within the Mediterranean region, and applications must be submitted in English, complying with EU sanctions and restrictive measures.
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Eligible applicants include regional and local authorities, NGOs, associations, research and education institutions, and companies, including SMEs, operating in the eligible geographical areas. Each organisation may submit only one proposal per call. Projects can be implemented by individual legal entities or consortia of up to two entities representing a Mission community.
Targeted TA beneficiaries are typically organisations involved in policy, governance, and stakeholder coordination. These include regional and local authorities, NGOs focused on policy advocacy, research institutions conducting legal harmonisation studies, and associations developing multi-stakeholder dialogue frameworks. All projects must include at least one partner from a Mediterranean country, ensuring regional relevance and impact.
This initiative provides a strategic opportunity for Mediterranean-based organisations to influence policy, strengthen governance, and implement sustainable solutions that support the ecological, economic, and social development of the region.
Zayed Sustainability Prize Supporting Global Sustainable Solutions
Deadline: 15th of June 2026
Budget: €5,900,000
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a global award established by the Abu Dhabi Government to recognize impactful solutions that advance sustainability and humanitarian development in line with the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
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The Prize focuses on Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools, with the aim of rewarding innovative, impactful, and inspiring solutions that address pressing global challenges while promoting sustainable and human-centered development. Managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, the Zayed Sustainability Prize supports organizations that have already demonstrated real-world impact. It does not support early-stage startups or untested concepts, but rather proven solutions that are technically and commercially viable, adopted by the market, and capable of scaling their positive outcomes.
Across the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, applications are assessed based on innovation, impact, and inspiration. Innovation emphasizes unique value propositions, transformative approaches, and viable solutions that address real needs. Impact focuses on measurable improvements to people’s lives, resilience to challenges, strong governance, and clear plans for using the prize funds to expand benefits. Inspiration reflects alignment with Sheikh Zayed’s values of sustainability and human development, and the ability of solutions to motivate wider societal change. The total prize fund amounts to US $5.9 million. Each of the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories receives US $1 million, while the Global High Schools category distributes US $900,000 across six schools, with US $150,000 awarded to each selected school. This funding enables winners to scale their solutions, deepen impact, and inspire further sustainable development worldwide.
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The Climate Action category similarly rewards initiatives that demonstrate tangible contributions to environmental sustainability and climate resilience, while the Global High Schools category supports student-led projects from six global regions: The Americas, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia and the Pacific. These projects emphasize youth leadership, education, and local sustainability action.
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Deadline: 15th of June 2026
Budget: €6,000,000
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award that recognises and rewards small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools with impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainable solutions.
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The Zayed Sustainability Prize recognises nonprofit organisations (NPOs), small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and high schools for their impactful, innovative and inspiring sustainable solutions across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize awards 6 categories:
· Health
· Food
· Energy
· Water
· Climate Action
· Global High Schools (1 award for each of the below regions): The Americas, Europe & Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia & Pacific, South Asia, MENA
The Fund is open to applications for funding from across the globe.
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You can nominate an organisation (SME or NPO) only for the new Climate Action category by registering in the Zayed Sustainability Prize submissions portal and filling out the form. You can nominate an organisation you are affiliated with or one with which you have no affiliation.
EUROPEAN FILM SALES AGENT
Deadline: 18th of June 2026
Budget: €5,500,000
Expected results are:
· Improvement in the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films.
· Increase in the investment in the production, acquisition, promotion, theatrical and online distribution of non-national European films.
· Develop links between the production and distribution sector thus improving the competitive position of non-national European films.
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There are two phases for the funded activities:
· The generation of a potential fund which will be attributed according to the performance of the company on the European market.
· The implementation of the action – the potential fund thus generated by each company must be reinvested in: minimum guarantees or advances paid for the international sales rights on eligible non-national European films; and the promotion, marketing and advertising on the market of eligible non-national European films.
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).
ENTRIES OPEN FOR FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE AWARDS (19TH EDITION)
Deadline: 30th of June 2026
Budget: €3,600,000
Applications are now open or the nineteenth edition of Frontiers of Knowledge Awards to recognize and reward world-class research and artistic creation, prizing contributions of singular impact for their originality and significance. The focus areas are Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), Biology and Biomedicine, Information and Communication Technologies, Climate Change and Environmental Sciences, Economics, Finance and Management, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Music and Opera.
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The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards are intended to honor advances that significantly enlarge current understanding while also reflecting the interaction and overlap of different disciplinary areas and the emergence of new fields.
They emphasize the enduring importance of basic knowledge as a driver of scientific change, cultural development, and human progress, alongside the recognition of interdisciplinary approaches that characterize contemporary research and creation.
The awards acknowledge that many decisive contributions arise from collaborative or parallel efforts by large research teams or cultural groups, allowing accolades to be shared by individuals or organizations whose work converges on a single advance.
Special attention is given to areas concerned with the natural world through the Climate Change and Environmental Sciences category, as well as to the foundations of digital society through Information and Communication Technologies. Distinct categories also recognize major contributions in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Music and Opera.
Each award consists of 400,000 euros, a diploma, and a commemorative artwork, with the monetary amount divided equally if shared among multiple recipients and subject to applicable taxes. Candidates may be individuals or organizations of any nationality whose contributions are independent or convergent, provided the awards are not granted posthumously.
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Nominations are open and indirect, as self-nomination is not permitted. A wide range of scientific, cultural, educational, medical, artistic, and environmental organizations may submit nominations, as well as Nobel Prize laureates and previous recipients of the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards.
Nominations must be submitted in English through the official website during the designated nomination period, accompanied by the required documentation detailing the candidate’s contributions.
The selection process takes place in two stages, with evaluation support panels appointed by the BBVA Foundation and assisted by the Spanish National Research Council, followed by final decisions made by expert committees in each category. Decisions are final and may result in shared awards, merged nominations, or the decision to leave an award vacant.
Award decisions will be made before April 30, 2027, and the presentation ceremony will be held in June 2027 in Bilbao, where laureates are expected to attend. Participation in the awards implies acceptance of all conditions and decisions established by the BBVA Foundation.
NETWORKS OF EUROPEAN CINEMAS
Deadline: 9th of July 2026
Budget: €17,467,470
The aim of the support is to create and operate a network of cinemas with a view to:
· Encourage cinema operators to screen a significant proportion of non- national European films through incentives and collaborative projects;
· Contribute to raise and increase the interest of the audience for non-national films including through the development of activities for young cinema-goers;
· Help those cinemas to adapt their strategy to the changing environment including by promoting innovative approaches in terms of audience reach and engagement, as well as partnerships with other film industry operators as well as with local cultural institutions;
· Encourage exchange of best practices, knowledge sharing and other forms of cross border collaboration amongst members of the network
· Contribute to the policy dialogue on the film industry by collecting data and disseminating the outcome of the activities of the network beyond its members.
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Expected results are:
· Increase the audience for non-national European films on the European market;
· Reach new audiences for European films including young cinema-goers;
· Reinforce and renew the ongoing cinema experience;
· Adjust the business practices of European cinema theatres in terms of sustainability and inclusion;
· Foster the innovation potential of European cinema theatres through enhanced collaboration.
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).
ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
Deadline: 6th of August 2026
Budget: €1,600,000
Journalismfund.eu’s flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.
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This grant can be awarded to cross-border teams of professional journalists and/or news outlets to conduct investigations into environmental affairs related to Europe (all the countries, not only the EU). The resulting stories must be published in at least two outlets in two different countries, at least one must be a European media. While news media and newsrooms still predominantly operate nationally, most power structures and societal and environmental problems transcend national boundaries. This grant programme is therefore aimed at cross-border teams of investigative journalists and newsrooms to investigate and document illegal, unreported and unregulated abuse of nature that involves European affairs in and outside Europe.
Actions must take place in Europe.
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Cross-border teams of at least two professional journalists and/or news outlets can submit a proposal for a journalistic investigation about an issue that concerns the environment and relates to the European continent (islands included).
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.