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 scaling, and cybersecurity deployment for small and medium enterprises. Researchers and research offices will find opportunities under Horizon Europe Innovation Actions, European Research Council grants, and Digital Europe, each demanding a distinct preparation strategy.
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 30 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 bioenergy value chains, linking locally sourced solid biofuels from upgraded biogenic residues and wastes to high efficiency combined heat and power plants. It directly supports EU climate and energy targets while creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises and strengthening European competitiveness in the bioenergy sector. The emphasis on regional sourcing and alignment with the Renewable Energy Directive makes it especially relevant for consortia that can mobilize local feedstock suppliers alongside conversion technology providers.
Preparation step. Map the specific biogenic residues and waste streams available in your target region, and confirm that each feedstock qualifies under the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive, because the call explicitly requires alignment with that legislation and demonstration of a regionally grounded supply chain.
HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Structurally addressing homelessness through coordinated social infrastructure and services in neighbourhoods
Open Closes on 30 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 face chronic homelessness lasting more than two years. This Innovation Action goes beyond housing-led approaches by demanding 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 and services, and begin gathering baseline data on the homeless populations and existing service gaps in those areas, since the call requires evidence of structural interventions at the neighbourhood level.
HORIZON-ERC HORIZON ERC Grants
ERC Consolidator Grant
Open Closes on 72 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 when justified by the proposed work. This makes it a substantial instrument for researchers who have already demonstrated independence and are ready to deepen or expand a distinctive line of inquiry.
Preparation step. Begin drafting a research proposal that foregrounds your track record of independent research leadership, and if your project requires resources beyond the standard grant ceiling, prepare a clear justification for the additional funding request, since the call stipulates that such requests must be duly justified in the proposal.
HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Demonstrating place-based experimentation and innovation spaces as enabling environments for scaling EU Missions
Open Closes on 73 days left
Indicative budget: EUR 1.0 to 1.5 million per grant, about 3 grants expected (2026).
This topic serves as a strategic instrument for the transition of EU Missions into their scaling phase, focused on wider deployment of mission-relevant solutions across territories. It calls on countries, regions, and interregional partnerships to design governance frameworks, regulatory experimentation spaces, and innovative public-public and public-private partnerships. The emphasis on turning analytical insights into territorial experimentation and replicable best practices distinguishes it as a governance and place-based innovation challenge.
Preparation step. Assemble a coalition of regional or interregional partners in EU Member States or Associated Countries that can credibly design and demonstrate multi-layered governance arrangements and regulatory experimentation, as the call explicitly requires territorial anchoring and enabling environments for scaling mission-relevant solutions.
DIGITAL-JU-SME DIGITAL JU SME Support Actions
Strengthening cybersecurity capacities of European SMEs with cybersecure AI-powered solutions
Open Closes on 74 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 market-ready AI-powered solutions. It covers a broad scope: deploying AI-driven tools to prepare for, protect against, and respond to cybersecurity threats, as well as integrating AI into cybersecurity processes and training employees to use these solutions. The call also explicitly encourages uptake of results from Horizon Europe research and innovation projects, bridging the gap between research outputs and real-world deployment.
Preparation step. Survey existing AI-powered cybersecurity tools, particularly those developed under EU-supported research and innovation projects, and assess which are mature enough for deployment in SME environments, since the call prioritizes market-ready solutions and their dissemination to organizations with limited in-house cybersecurity capacity.