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

September 10, 2025 (opens) | January 20, 2026 (deadline)

~€1,000,000 per project | ~5 grants expected | 2+ years duration

Supports cross-border investment and connectivity between strong and emerging EU innovation ecosystems, targeting key societal challenges and startup growth.

Consortium must include at least one partner from a 'moderate/emerging' and one from a 'strong/leader' innovator region.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe action aims to strengthen the connectivity and inclusiveness of European innovation ecosystems by increasing foreign venture investments in less connected and developed regions. The program funds collaborative projects spanning at least two years, led by business acceleration service providers, investor networks, and innovation hubs. Activities must facilitate the entry of investors from 'strong' or 'innovation leader' regions into 'emerging' or 'moderate' innovator regions, raise investor awareness of local innovation potential, and support startups in expanding to new EU markets. Projects are required to address at least one of the five “burning challenges” of the New European Innovation Agenda: - Reducing reliance on fossil fuels - Increasing global food security - Mastering digital transformation (including cybersecurity) - Improving healthcare - Achieving circularity Eligible activities include market orientation programs, investor and startup support across the investment lifecycle, roadshows, business forums, best practice repositories, and policy recommendations. Collaboration with innovation agencies, government organizations, and relevant EU initiatives is encouraged to maximize impact. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: September 10, 2025 - Application deadline: January 20, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Approx. €1,000,000 per awarded project - Total call budget: €5,000,000 - Expected number of grants: 5 - Project duration: Minimum 2 years Funding is provided as a lump sum grant under Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Actions. --- ## Eligibility - Open to consortia of at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. - The consortium must include: - At least one entity from a 'moderate' or 'emerging' innovator region (per the [Regional Innovation Scoreboard](https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/statistics/performance-indicators/regional-innovation-scoreboard_en)) - At least one entity from a 'strong' or 'innovation leader' region - Eligible countries: EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see [Annex B](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf)) - Applicants can include business acceleration service providers, investor networks, innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators, and public/private sector stakeholders. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - Application forms and templates are available on the portal ([HE CSA application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf)) - Proposals must comply with the page limits and requirements outlined in the [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) - Evaluation is based on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation (see [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf)) - Applicants are encouraged to seek synergies with other EU, national, or regional funding programs. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must select at least five eligible activities (see Description) and target one or more of the five burning challenges. - Collaboration with innovation agencies, government organizations, and EU initiatives (e.g., Enterprise Europe Network) is strongly encouraged. - Lump sum funding model applies—see [guidance](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_en.pdf). - For further details on eligibility and country classifications, consult the [Regional Innovation Scoreboard](https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/statistics/performance-indicators/regional-innovation-scoreboard_en) and [European Innovation Scoreboard](https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/statistics/performance-indicators/european-innovation-scoreboard_en). --- ## External Links - [Call Topic & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&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 (eligibility, evaluation, etc.)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf) - [Regional Innovation Scoreboard](https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/statistics/performance-indicators/regional-innovation-scoreboard_en) - [European Innovation Scoreboard](https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/statistics/performance-indicators/european-innovation-scoreboard_en) - [Online Manual (application help)](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) - [Enterprise Europe Network](https://een.ec.europa.eu/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Link/Details | |---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Support | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contacts | [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT/Portal Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Expanding Investment Ecosystems

Sign in to see full grant listing