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

September 18, 2025 (single-stage)

€5,000,000 to €8,000,000 per project (1 grant expected; lump sum funding)

Supports projects to define data steward curricula, enhance Open Science and FAIR skills, and strengthen competence networks for EOSC across Europe.

Proposals must align with European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) activities and relevant competence frameworks.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, under Horizon Europe, targets projects that define and standardize core curricula for data stewards across Europe, aiming to promote the widespread adoption of Open Science and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data practices. The call seeks to enhance the skills of data stewards and researchers at all career stages, build sustainable coordination models, and expand competence networks to support the uptake of Open Science and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Proposals should address gaps in professionalization and recognition of data stewards and Open Science skills, foster collaboration with existing competence centers, and mainstream transparent, interoperable Open Science practices. Activities should be aligned with the European Competence Framework for Researchers (ResearchComp), the revised Charter for Researchers, and the EOSC Partnership, ensuring broad adoption of FAIR data practices across disciplines and countries. --- ## Due Dates - **Opening date:** May 6, 2025 - **Submission deadline:** September 18, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - **Total call budget:** €8,000,000 - **Expected grant size:** €5,000,000 to €8,000,000 (one project funded) - **Funding type:** Lump sum grant (HORIZON-CSA Coordination and Support Action) --- ## Eligibility - Proposals must be submitted by consortia including legal entities from at least three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. - Eligible countries and further details are provided 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/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). - Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate with their own funding provisions. - Organizations must have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Type of action:** HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Action), Lump Sum Grant. - **Evaluation:** Single-stage process; proposals will be evaluated based on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation, with additional emphasis on coordination with EOSC and relevant projects. - **Proposal template and guidance:** See [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) and [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - Beneficiaries must grant royalty-free access to project results to the EOSC Association for policy development and monitoring. - Digital research data generated must be deposited in a trusted repository federated with EOSC, compliant with its requirements. - Financial support to third parties is allowed (up to €60,000 per third party, in the form of grants). - Proposals should cooperate with the EOSC Partnership and related projects, especially those funded under HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02, and leverage outcomes of Skills4EOSC and FAIR-IMPACT projects. - Alignment with the European Competence Framework for Researchers and the revised Charter for Researchers is required. - Proposals should propose tailored support for different levels and contexts of data stewardship. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal - Call Information](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [ResearchComp – European Competence Framework for Researchers](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/jobs-research/researchcomp-european-competence-framework-researchers_en) - [European Charter for Researchers](https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/hrexcellenceaward/european-charter-researchers) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_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](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact/Link | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC contact | [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) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

Data stewards, skills and training for Open Science and FAIR practices

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