19/07/2026
🇪🇺 HORIZON EUROPE: YOUR GUIDE TO THE MAIN FUNDING PROGRAMS (2026-2027) 🚀
With €14 billion up for grabs across the 2026-2027 Work Program, here's a breakdown of Horizon Europe's main pillars and flagship calls — what they fund, and when to apply 👇
📚 PILLAR I – EXCELLENT SCIENCE
Frontier research, open to all fields, no fixed topics.
🔹 European Research Council (ERC)
What: Funds top individual researchers pursuing ground-breaking, high-risk/high-reward frontier research (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced & Synergy Grants).
Next flagship deadline: ERC Advanced Grant — 27 August 2026, 17:00 CET
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-research-council_en
🔹 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
What: Funds fellowships, doctoral networks and staff exchanges to train and mobilize researchers across borders and sectors.
Next flagship deadline: MSCA Doctoral Networks — 24 November 2026, 17:00 CET
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/marie-sklodowska-curie-actions_en
🔹 Research Infrastructures
What: Funds the development, integration and open access of world-class research infrastructures across Europe.
Deadlines: vary by call — check the program page
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/research-infrastructures_en
🌍 PILLAR II – GLOBAL CHALLENGES & EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS
Six thematic Clusters funding collaborative, consortium-based R&I projects. Most 2026 calls close between July and November — each Cluster page lists its specific call deadlines.
🔹 Cluster 1 – Health
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-1-health_en
🔹 Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_en
🔹 Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-3-civil-security-society_en
🔹 Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-4-digital-industry-and-space_en
🔹 Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-5-climate-energy-and-mobility_en
🔹 Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-6-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_en
🔹 Non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC)
What: The Commission's in-house science service, providing independent scientific evidence to support EU policymaking.
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/non-nuclear-direct-actions-joint-research-centre_en
💡 PILLAR III – INNOVATIVE EUROPE
Turning breakthrough ideas into market-ready innovations.
🔹 European Innovation Council (EIC)
What: Grant + equity funding via Pathfinder (early-stage breakthrough tech), Transition (maturing tech) and Accelerator (scaling startups/SMEs).
Next flagship deadlines: EIC Transition — 16 Sept 2026 | EIC Accelerator (full proposal) — 2 Sept 2026 | EIC Pathfinder Challenges — 28 Oct 2026
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-innovation-council_en
🔹 European Innovation Ecosystems
What: Connects national and regional innovation actors, supporting Europe-wide innovation ecosystems and networks (e.g. for deep-tech and women innovators).
Deadlines: vary by call — check the program page
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-innovation-ecosystems_en
🔹 European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
What: Integrates business, education and research through "Knowledge and Innovation Communities" to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
Deadlines: vary by call — check the program page
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-institute-innovation-and-technology-eit_en
🧩 PART: WIDENING PARTICIPATION & STRENGTHENING THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA
🔹 Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence
What: Helps close the R&I gap across Europe by boosting participation from lower-performing Member States and regions.
Deadlines: vary by call — check the program page
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/widening-participation-and-spreading-excellence_en
🔹 Reforming and Enhancing the European Research and Innovation System
What: Supports reforms to national R&I systems and policies to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
Deadlines: vary by call — check the program page
Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/reforming-and-enhancing-european-research-and-innovation-system_en
📌 For the full, up-to-date program structure and general info:
🔗 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
📌 To browse ALL open and upcoming calls with exact deadlines:
🔗 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
⏰ Tip: Most successful applicants start preparing 6-12 months before a deadline — don't wait until the last minute!
The Funding and Tenders Portal is the single entry point (the Single Electronic Data Interchange Area) for applicants, contractors and experts in funding programmes and procurements managed by the European Commission.
