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

March 18, 2027

~€7,000,000 total; typically one grant awarded; up to €60,000 per third party via open calls

Supports and empowers European stakeholders to lead and shape international digital standardisation, enhancing EU competitiveness and influence.

--- ## Description This grant, under Horizon Europe, aims to reinforce the presence and leadership of European experts in global digital standards-setting. It is focused on supporting SMEs, research and innovation institutions, the open-source community, academia, and societal stakeholders. The initiative advances the EU Standardisation Strategy by empowering European stakeholders to actively participate in and shape international digital standards, particularly in key and emerging digital technology domains. Activities eligible for support include establishing a management facility to back European specialists, funding international standardisation meetings and workshops in Europe, conducting landscape and gap analyses in priority digital areas, and promoting the value and benefits of digital standardisation. The grant also encourages the development of educational tools and materials to build skills and awareness in standardisation, supporting the EU’s technological sovereignty and promoting EU values globally. --- ## Due Dates - March 18, 2027: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget: ~€7,000,000 (HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-07) - Typically one grant will be awarded under this topic - Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is allowed: - Up to €60,000 per third party (selected through open calls) - At least 75% of the total EU contribution should be allocated to FSTP --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see [Annex B of the 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)) - Targeted at consortia including, but not limited to: - SMEs - Research and innovation institutions - Open-source community members - Academia - Societal stakeholders - Proposals must be submitted according to the requirements in 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) - Beneficiaries must allocate a minimum of 75% of the requested EU contribution to FSTP selected through open calls --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application procedure - Submission system opens: November 17, 2026 - Deadline: March 18, 2027, 17:00 Brussels time - Applications must use 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) - Evaluation criteria, thresholds, 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) - At least 75% of funding must be distributed to third parties via open calls organized by the beneficiaries --- ## Additional Information - Lump sum funding model applies - The grant supports activities such as chairing technical committees, convening standardisation meetings, and developing educational resources - Proposals must build on previous EU-funded standardisation initiatives (e.g., StandICT.eu projects) - Beneficiaries intending to transfer ownership or grant exclusive licenses of results must notify the granting authority, which may object up to four years after project end - See [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) for step-by-step guidance --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-07?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 and eligibility rules](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) - [StandICT.eu](http://www.standict.eu/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiries | [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 | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Facilitate the engagement of European stakeholders in international digital standardisation (CSA) - European Commission

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