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

September 24, 2026

€200,000–€600,000 per grant; total budget €30 million; ~60 grants expected

Enables legal entities from Widening countries to join ongoing Horizon Europe Pillar II or EIC Pathfinder projects, enhancing inclusiveness and research excellence.

Only one new Widening country beneficiary per proposal; proposal must be submitted by the original project coordinator.

--- ## Description This opportunity under Horizon Europe, known as the Hop-On Facility, is designed to strengthen research and innovation (R&I) capacities across Europe by allowing legal entities from Widening countries to join already funded Horizon Europe Pillar II ‘main’ work programme or EIC Pathfinder collaborative research and innovation actions. The initiative aims to foster inclusiveness, increase the visibility and participation of Widening countries, and facilitate knowledge circulation by integrating new partners into established research consortia. The added beneficiary is expected to contribute a relevant and visible task or work package to the ongoing project. --- ## Due Dates - September 24, 2026: Submission deadline (full proposal, 17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant per project: €200,000–€600,000 - Total budget for the call: €30 million - Approximately 60 grants expected to be awarded No more than 10% of the grant may go to the coordinator as a coordination fee; at least 90% must be allocated to the new Widening beneficiary. --- ## Eligibility - The proposal must include: - One legal entity established in a Widening country (as defined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme Annex B) - The coordinator of an eligible, already funded Horizon Europe action (Pillar II or EIC Pathfinder, collaborative R&I) - The proposal must be submitted by the coordinator of the original Horizon Europe project. - The original project must not already include any partner from a Widening country (as beneficiary, affiliated entity, or associated partner). - The ongoing project must be between 1 to 12 months from its start date at the proposal submission deadline. - The first reporting period of the original grant must be ongoing at submission. --- ## Application Process - The coordinator of the eligible ongoing project submits the proposal on behalf of the consortium and the new Widening beneficiary. - The proposal must detail the profile and role of the new beneficiary and the added R&I value. - A dedicated proposal template must be used, with the Description of the Action (DOA) from the ongoing project included as an annex. - If successful, the process continues with a grant agreement amendment to integrate the new partner. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals are evaluated with priority given to geographical diversity. - Only one new Widening country beneficiary may be added per proposal. - The scheme is part of the broader effort to improve access to excellence, tackle R&I disparities, and build pan-European innovation ecosystems. - Refer to the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) for definitions and detailed requirements. --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-03-WIDENING-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=9&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Work Programme 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) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [European Commission contact page](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 | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Hop-On Facility - European Commission

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