Daily edition ·
EU Research Funding Calls Worth Preparing For
This collection spans demonstration projects in bioenergy and social infrastructure, frontier research consolidation grants, place-based mission experimentation, and cybersecurity deployment for small and medium enterprises. Researchers and research offices working across Horizon Europe, the European Research Council, and Digital Europe will find distinct preparation angles for each opportunity.
HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Demonstration of solid biofuel supply and conversion to high efficiency CHP from fully sustainable regional value chains
Open Closes on 31 days left
Indicative budget: around EUR 6.8 million per grant, about 2 grants expected (2026).
This Innovation Action targets the demonstration of fully sustainable regional value chains that convert locally sourced solid biofuels from upgraded biogenic residues and wastes into high efficiency combined heat and power. It directly supports EU climate and energy targets while creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises, regional value generation, and international competitiveness in the bioenergy sector. The emphasis on compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive makes it especially relevant for consortia that can prove feedstock sustainability at a regional scale.
Preparation step. Map out the specific biogenic residues and waste streams available in your target region, and document how each feedstock aligns with the sustainability provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive, since the call explicitly requires this alignment for the solid biofuel supply chain.
HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Structurally addressing homelessness through coordinated social infrastructure and services in neighbourhoods
Open Closes on 31 days left
Indicative budget: around EUR 3.5 million per grant, about 3 grants expected (2026).
Homelessness affects over 1.2 million people in Europe, and nearly half of surveyed homeless individuals experience chronic homelessness lasting more than two years. This Innovation Action goes beyond housing-led approaches by requiring systemic interventions that address the structural and multidimensional causes of homelessness through coordinated social infrastructure and services at the neighbourhood level. It aims to produce evidence that stakeholders can use to improve availability and accessibility of key services for homeless groups.
Preparation step. Identify specific neighbourhoods where your consortium can demonstrate coordinated social infrastructure improvements, and begin gathering baseline data on the availability and accessibility of services for homeless populations in those areas, since the call expects neighbourhood-level evidence of structural interventions.
HORIZON-ERC HORIZON ERC Grants
ERC Consolidator Grant
Open Closes on 73 days left
The European Research Council Consolidator Grant is designed for excellent Principal Investigators who are consolidating an independent research team or programme. It offers funding for up to 60 months, with the possibility of requesting additional funding to cover further eligible costs when these are necessary and duly justified. This makes it a substantial instrument for researchers who have already demonstrated independence and seek to deepen or expand a distinctive line of inquiry.
Preparation step. Because the call requires evidence of research independence and permits a justified request for additional funding beyond the base grant, prepare a clear narrative that traces your trajectory from early independence to a consolidated programme, and identify which cost categories would require the supplementary allocation.
HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Demonstrating place-based experimentation and innovation spaces as enabling environments for scaling EU Missions
Open Closes on 74 days left
Indicative budget: EUR 1.0 to 1.5 million per grant, about 3 grants expected (2026).
Designed as a strategic instrument for the second phase of the EU Missions lifecycle, this Innovation Action calls on territories to design and demonstrate governance models, regulatory experimentation, and innovative public-public and public-private partnerships. It seeks to turn analytical insights into territorial experimentation and best practices that can be replicated across a wide array of EU funding instruments. The focus on multi-layered governance and place-based scaling makes it relevant for regions and interregional partnerships committed to mission-relevant solutions.
Preparation step. Start by selecting the EU Mission or Missions your territory intends to anchor, and draft a governance framework that shows how regulatory experimentation and public-public or public-private partnerships will enable scaling of novel solutions at the local or regional level.
DIGITAL-JU-SME DIGITAL JU SME Support Actions
Strengthening cybersecurity capacities of European SMEs with cybersecure AI-powered solutions
Open Closes on 75 days left
Indicative budget: EUR 3.0 to 5.0 million per grant, about 5 grants expected (2026).
This Digital Europe action focuses on strengthening the cybersecurity posture of European small and medium enterprises through the adoption of market-ready AI-powered solutions. It covers a broad scope: deploying AI-driven cybersecurity tools, integrating AI technologies into cybersecurity processes, and training employees to use AI solutions for protection and response. The call also encourages uptake of results from Horizon Europe research and innovation projects, linking upstream research to downstream deployment.
Preparation step. Catalogue existing AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, particularly those developed under EU-supported research and innovation projects, and assess which are mature enough for deployment in SME environments, since the call explicitly prioritizes market-ready tools and their integration into operational cybersecurity processes.