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

September 24, 2026

€7 million total; one grant expected; typical award ~€7M; project duration not specified

Supports institutions in Widening countries to develop or upgrade research management capacities via tailored support, training, and networking aligned with ERA priorities.

Only institutions from Widening countries may coordinate; consortium of at least three entities required.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, under Horizon Europe, aims to establish a Research Management Facility to help institutions in Widening countries strengthen or develop their research management capacities. The facility will provide tailored support, including needs assessments, development of implementation plans, targeted training modules, and networking opportunities. The focus is on fostering excellent research management, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning with European Research Area (ERA) priorities such as research integrity, ethics, gender equality, and open access. The action is expected to contribute to structural reforms, strengthen human capital, and promote best practices in research management across Widening countries. --- ## Due Dates - **Full proposal deadline:** September 24, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - **Total indicative budget:** €7,000,000 (one grant expected) - **Expected EU contribution per grant:** ~€7,000,000 - **Funding rate:** 100% (Coordination and Support Action) - **Project duration:** Not specified; typically defined in the grant agreement --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** Legal entities established in Widening countries (as defined by the Horizon Europe regulation) - **Coordinator requirement:** Only legal entities from Widening countries may act as coordinators - **Consortium composition:** At least three independent legal entities, each from a different Member State or Associated Country, with at least two established in a Member State - **Special eligibility:** Organisations hosting WIDERA National Contact Points (NCPs) in Widening countries are exceptionally eligible to participate - **Eligible activities:** Capacity building, training, networking, needs assessment, development of implementation plans, best practice sharing, and dissemination - **Restrictions:** Support is for establishing or upgrading research management capacities—does not fund the implementation of institutional strategies --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-04-WIDENING-01) - **Application forms:** Use the [standard application form for HE CSA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf) - **Page limit:** 25 pages for Part B (technical description) - **Supporting documents:** Plan for dissemination and exploitation, ethics self-assessment, budget details - **Evaluation criteria:** Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (each scored 0–5; threshold 3 per criterion, overall threshold 10/15) - **Timeline:** Results expected ~5 months after deadline; grant agreement ~8 months after deadline --- ## Additional Information - **Target outcomes:** Improved research management in Widening countries, stronger participation in ERA, enhanced governance, and human capital development - **Geographical coverage:** Proposals must ensure support covers all Widening countries, including Outermost Regions and relevant Associated Countries - **Documentation:** Proposals must include a methodology for documenting support provided and reporting outcomes to the European Commission - **Gender equality:** Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions in EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place - **Ethics:** Proposals must comply with EU and national ethical standards and complete an ethics self-assessment --- ## External Links - [Official call topic and application page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-04-WIDENING-01) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes – Horizon Europe Work Programme 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) - [National Contact Points for Horizon Europe](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General 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) | | EC General Contact | [Contact form](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Research Management Facility

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