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

September 2026 (full application, projected)

€1M–€1.5M per project (lump sum, typical); ~3 grants expected; total topic budget €4.5M

Funds preparatory actions to develop strategies, funding models, access schemes, and technology frameworks for a robust and sustainable European research infrastructure ecosystem.

--- ## Description This grant supports projects aiming to enhance the strategic development, coordination, and sustainability of European research infrastructures. It focuses on three distinct areas, with proposals required to address only one: - **Area 1:** Strengthening investment plans and diversifying funding streams for research infrastructures, including mapping funding sources, identifying synergies, and analyzing financial challenges. - **Area 2:** Preparing integrated and sustainable EU-wide access schemes to research infrastructures by developing governance models, funding structures, and access policies for seamless, cross-domain access. - **Area 3:** Establishing frameworks for joint technology development to optimize and upgrade research infrastructures, promote standardization and interoperability, and foster innovation ecosystems involving industry and SMEs. Funded projects should build on earlier efforts, engage a broad range of stakeholders, and deliver actionable concepts, governance scenarios, and best practices to reinforce the European research infrastructure landscape. --- ## Due Dates - **Full application deadline (anticipated):** September 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Expected EU contribution per project:** €1,000,000–€1,500,000 (lump sum) - **Total indicative budget for the topic:** €4,500,000 - **Number of grants expected:** ~3 The funding is provided as a lump sum; actual amounts may vary depending on the proposal and budget justification. --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium composition:** - Proposals must involve at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries. - Proposals must address only one of the three defined areas and explicitly state which one. - For Area 2, consortia should include research infrastructures from different scientific domains, preferably at least one ESFRI infrastructure or ERIC per major ESFRI domain. - For Area 3, consortia must include at least two different research infrastructures (each an ESFRI Landmark, ERIC, or international European research organisation) from at least two ESFRI domains. - **Eligible countries:** - EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. - Entities from other countries may participate under specific conditions (see [Annex B](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf)). - **Other requirements:** - Only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible, unless otherwise specified in the call. - The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a consortium member. - **Gender Equality Plan:** - Required for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from EU Member States and Associated Countries. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-05?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=10&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Type of action:** Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA), lump sum grant. - **Proposal format:** - Part A (administrative and budget information, online form) - Part B (technical description, uploaded PDF, max 28 pages for lump sum CSAs) - **Evaluation criteria:** - Excellence (clarity, pertinence, methodology) - Impact (expected outcomes, dissemination and exploitation) - Quality and efficiency of implementation (work plan, resources, consortium) - **Award process:** - Proposals are ranked, but at least the highest-ranked proposal in each area will be funded if thresholds are met. - **Key documents:** - [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 form (HE CSA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-csa_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) - [Work Programme 2025 – Research Infrastructures (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-3-research-infrastructures_horizon-2025_en.pdf) --- ## Additional Information - **Lump sum funding:** The grant is paid as a lump sum, simplifying financial reporting (see [Lump Sum 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)). - **Open Science:** Beneficiaries must follow open science practices and data management requirements. - **Ethics & Security:** Projects must comply with EU ethics and security standards. - **Gender Equality:** A Gender Equality Plan is mandatory for certain types of institutions. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-05?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=10&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals?callIdentifier=HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes 2025](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder General Contact | [Contact the European Commission](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 (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone (European Commission) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Preparatory actions exploring future frameworks for research infrastructures investment plans and funding streams, for integrated and sustained scheme for access and for joint technology development.

Sign in to see full grant listing