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

March 12, 2026 (Full proposal, single-stage)

€1.5–2.5 million per project | Up to 8 grants | Project duration up to 3 years

Funds research and innovation to strengthen ERA evidence base, focusing on open science, ethics, gender equality, research careers, and international collaboration.

Applicants must select and address one of six predefined ERA policy areas.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action supports projects that generate new knowledge to advance the European Research Area (ERA). The grant targets six strategic policy areas: open science and reproducibility, ethics in emerging space technologies, inclusive gender equality in R&D-intensive firms, gender-responsive research budgeting and evaluation, research careers in the private sector and across sectors, and mapping international research careers and talent flows. Each project must select and fully address one of these areas, developing methodologies, best practices, and policy recommendations that contribute directly to ERA objectives. Proposals should demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement, foster collaboration, and promote inclusive gender equality. Typical project duration is up to three years. --- ## Due Dates - March 12, 2026: Full application deadline (single-stage), 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget: €16 million (2026 call) - Expected contribution per project: €1.5–2.5 million - Approximate number of grants: up to 8 - Project duration: up to 3 years (longer possible if justified) - Funding is provided as a lump sum; detailed budgets must be submitted with the proposal --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** Any legal entity, regardless of location, including those from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and eligible low/middle-income countries. - **Consortium requirements:** At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country; at least one must be from a Member State. - **Eligible countries:** See [Annex B of the 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) for full list. - **Restrictions:** Entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. Certain restrictions apply to entities from China and other high-risk countries (see General Annexes for details). - **Gender Equality Plan:** Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions in EU/Associated Countries must have a gender equality plan in place at grant signature. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-08?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) by the deadline. - **Proposal format:** Single-stage, full proposal using the standard Horizon Europe RIA template (max 45 pages for lump sum RIAs). - **Required documents:** - Part A (administrative and budget forms) - Part B (technical narrative, including work plan, impact, and implementation) - Detailed lump sum budget table (Excel, as annex) - Ethics and security self-assessment - **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation. Each area will be funded in order of ranking, ensuring portfolio coverage. - **Award notification:** Typically within 5 months of the deadline; grant agreements signed within 8 months. - **Reporting:** Standard Horizon Europe reporting applies, with simplified financial reporting for lump sum grants. --- ## Additional Information - Applicants must select and address all activities within one of the six specified areas: 1. Reproducibility in research by direct replication 2. Ethics of emerging technologies in space exploration/exploitation 3. Inclusive gender equality in R&D-intensive firms 4. Gender-responsive R&I budgeting and evaluation 5. Research careers in the private sector and inter-sectoral mobility 6. Mapping international research careers and talent flows - Proposals must involve relevant stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and affected communities, and promote inclusive gender equality. - Open science practices and robust data management are expected. - Ethics and security requirements must be addressed; certain activities (e.g., human cloning, heritable genetic modification, creation/destruction of human embryos for research) are excluded from funding. - Lump sum funding simplifies financial management—payments are linked to completion of work packages, not actual costs. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Details and Application Portal (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-08)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-08?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Overview: Enhancing the European R&I System (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals?callIdentifier=HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06) - [General Annexes 2026–2027](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) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [Detailed Lump Sum Budget Table Template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_en.xlsm) - [Lump Sum Funding 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) - [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) - [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Option | Details | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder general info | [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) | | Call/programme support | [Funding & Tenders Portal Q&A](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT/Submission Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Research policy queries | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | ---

Pillar IV: Advancing Knowledge for ERA

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