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

September 16, 2025 (single-stage)

€3,000,000–€3,500,000 per project | ~2 grants expected

Grant for research advancing EU open strategic autonomy and economic security, with emphasis on policy frameworks, evidence, and impacts across sectors and global partnerships.

Horizon Europe RIA; lump sum grant; single-stage application.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity supports research projects that aim to enhance the European Union's open strategic autonomy and economic security, particularly focusing on research security within EU foreign policy. Projects should deliver consolidated concepts, robust definitions, and a strong evidence base to inform EU and national policymaking. The scope includes analysis of the drivers, risks, and impacts of open strategic autonomy and economic security across sectors such as research, innovation, and production. Proposals are encouraged to explore the balance between openness and autonomy, assess implications for the EU and its global partners (especially developing countries), and investigate ethical, gender-responsive, and participatory approaches to foreign policy. The grant also encourages collaboration with stakeholders, use of participative methodologies, and leveraging EU research infrastructures. --- ## Due Dates - Opening date: May 15, 2025 - Application deadline: September 16, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time - Single-stage submission --- ## Funding Amount - Total topic budget: €7,000,000 - Expected contribution per project: €3,000,000–€3,500,000 - Indicative number of grants: 2 - Funding is provided as a Horizon Europe lump sum grant (RIA). --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities (public or private) established in EU Member States or Associated Countries. - Proposals must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility rules (see [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)). - A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate if they make their own funding arrangements (see [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)). - Proposals must include a wide range of stakeholders, including non-academic actors (e.g., public bodies, NGOs, industry, civil society). --- ## Application Process - Submit proposals via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=7&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Single-stage submission; proposals must adhere to the 50-page limit for Part B and include a detailed budget table (template provided in the portal). - Evaluation follows Horizon Europe RIA criteria (excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of implementation). - Proposals should build on previous EU-funded projects and cooperate with ongoing initiatives in the field. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals are encouraged to use participative and experimental methodologies. - Projects should leverage European Research Infrastructures and ensure data produced is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable). - Ethical, gender-responsive, and minority-respecting approaches are recommended. - Collaboration with stakeholders from public, private, and civil society sectors is strongly encouraged. - Clustering and cooperation with other projects under this topic and related areas are expected. --- ## External Links - [Topic Page & Application Submission](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=7&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, Criteria, etc.)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Funding & Tenders Portal 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 | Purpose | Contact/Link | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | [European Commission Contact](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) | ---

Open strategic autonomy, economic and research security in EU foreign policy

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