[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

March 18, 2027

Around €3,000,000 total; typically one grant awarded; project duration up to 36 months

Supports building a strong, competitive, and inclusive ecosystem for Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 in Europe, emphasizing collaboration, standardisation, and broad technology adoption.

--- ## Description This grant aims to advance the European Partnership for Virtual Worlds by developing a robust industrial and end-user ecosystem across the EU. The initiative focuses on reviewing and updating the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Virtual Worlds, strengthening the partnership, and reinforcing a competitive European ecosystem. It encourages the adoption of open, interoperable, inclusive, sustainable, and trustworthy virtual worlds technologies, supports standardisation, and promotes coordination between academia, industry, public actors, and end-users. The action will also include outreach programmes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cohesion among regional, national, and European initiatives, all aligned with EU values and regulatory frameworks. --- ## Due Dates - March 18, 2027: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total available funding: Approximately €3,000,000 for this Coordination and Support Action (CSA) - Indicative number of grants: 1 - Typical project duration: up to 36 months --- ## Eligibility - Proposals must involve representatives from relevant sectors such as academia, research and technology organizations (RTOs), industry (including SMEs), and public actors. - Eligible countries: EU Member States and associated countries (as defined in [Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf)). - Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) involvement is required to enhance societal impact. - Proposals should be managed and coordinated by key stakeholders in the virtual worlds domain. - Financial and operational capacity requirements apply as described in [Annex C](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application process. - Submission system opens November 17, 2026. - Refer to the [Standard application form (HE CSA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf). - Proposals must follow the page limits and layout described in the application form and Horizon Europe guidance. - Evaluation criteria and processes are detailed in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) and [Annex F](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - Applications must be submitted via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). --- ## Additional Information - Proposals should include tasks for cohesion activities with the Virtual Worlds Partnership and related funded actions. - Any transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results requires formal notification to the granting authority, which may object up to four years after the project ends. - Detailed guidance is available in the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf). - Partner search is available through the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal partner search tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search). --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes for Horizon Europe](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (HE CSA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | European Commission | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Create a thriving and competitive Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 ecosystem (CSA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership) - European Commission

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