Enhancing the involvement of philanthropic organisations in innovation ecosystems
Enhancing the involvement of philanthropic organisations in innovation ecosystems supports philanthropic and academic partners in commercialising developed research and technologies to help promising companies grow.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: June 1, 2027 (Opening) | September 15, 2027 (Application deadline, 17:00 Brussels time)
Funding Amounts: Around €1 million per project for 1–3 years; €6 million total topic budget, with 6 grants expected
Summary: Supports collaboration between philanthropic organisations and academic innovation partners to bring developed research and technologies to market.
Key Information: Consortia need at least three participants from three EU Member States or Associated Countries, coordinated by a higher education institution, RTO, or their network.
Description
This Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action, run by the European Commission under European Innovation Ecosystems, strengthens collaboration between philanthropic organisations, higher education institutions, technology transfer offices, innovative companies and venture capital investors. It builds on existing academic–philanthropic partnerships to move developed research and technologies towards market-ready solutions and help promising companies grow.
Projects should deliver concrete commercialisation results through regional, national or European cooperation. Activities may include experimentation spaces, living labs, test beds, incubators, accelerators and support for spin-offs securing venture funding. Philanthropic partners can contribute expertise, investor networks and visibility, accelerate adoption, or become first users who test technologies. Higher education institutions are expected to explain how they will commercialise their technologies and engage philanthropic partners, investors, businesses and other stakeholders.
