CALL: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2026-PoC) 

OPENING: 20/01/2026

DEADLINE: 

• 1st Cut-off 17/03/2026

• 2nd Cut-off 17/09/2026

GRANT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE: 

• November 2026

• May 2027

BENEFICIARIES: 

All PIs in one of the main grants are eligible to participate and apply for an ERC Proof of Concept Grant. 

PIs in an ongoing main grant or in a main grant that has ended after 1/01/2025 are eligible.

OBJECTIVE:

The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim at facilitating exploration of the commercial and social innovation potential of ERC funded research and are therefore available only to Principal Investigators whose proposals draw substantially on their ERC funded research

FUNDED ACTIVITIES:

Proposals must draw substantially on PI’s previously ERC-funded research.

GRANT: Lump sum

FUNDING PER PROJECT: 150.000 EUR

PROJECT DURATION: 18 months

For more information on the call, visit the dedicated page on the Research Manager website, available at the LINK.

CALL: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2026-AdG)

OPENING: 28/05/2026

DEADLINE: 27/08/2026

GRANT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE: November 2027

BENEFICIARIES: 

Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they are already established research leaders with a recognised track record of research achievements.

There are no limitations related to the PhD date.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Applications can be made in any field of research.

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities. 

GRANT: Lump sum - 100% of total costs

FUNDING PER PROJECT: 2.5 M EUR.

• Additional 1M EUR to cover eligible “start-up” costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country and/or the purchase of major equipment and/or access to large facilities and/or other major experimental and field work costs;

• Additional 2M EUR for PIs based in non-associated Third Countries relocating to the EU or an Associated Country.

PROJECT DURATION: 5 years

CALL: ERC Plus Grant 2026 - ERC-2026-PLUS

OPENING: 02/06/2026

DEADLINE: 02/09/2026

BENEFICIARIES: 

Researchers of any age and nationality, residing anywhere in the world at the time of the application, and wishing to carry out their research in Host Institutions based in the EU or associated country.

Scholars at all career stages can apply if they have an outstanding record of scientific achievement at the forefront of their field.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Applications can be made in any field of research.

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities. 

GRANT: Lump sum. 100% of total costs

FUNDING PER PROJECT: Up to 7 M EUR

PROJECT DURATION: minimum of 4 years and up to 7 years

For more information on the call, visit the dedicated page on the Research Manager website, available at the LINK.

CALL: ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2027-SYG)

DEADLINE: TBD

BENEFICIARIES: 

A group of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) working together and bringing different skills and resources to tackle ambitious research problems.  One will be designated as the corresponding PI (cPI).

• No specific eligibility criteria regarding the academic training are foreseen for ERC Synergy Grants.

• PIs must present a competitive track record as appropriate to their career stage.

• Proposals are evaluated on the sole criterion of scientific excellence which takes on the additional meaning of outstanding intrinsic synergetic effect.

• One Principal Investigator per Synergy Grant group at any one time can be hosted or engaged by an institution outside of the EU or Associated Countries.

• PIs can apply within the same HI or through different HIs.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Applications can be made in any field of research.

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities. 

In the case of the ERC Synergy Grants, applications must demonstrate that the proposed research cannot be carried out by a single PI working alone.

GRANT: 100% of total costs

FUNDING PER PROJECT: Up to 10 M EUR

• An additional 4M EUR can be requested to cover eligible “start-up” costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country and/or the purchase of major equipment and/or access to large facilities and/or other major experimental and field work costs.

PROJECT DURATION: 6 years

CALL: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2027-STG) 

DEADLINE: TBD

BENEFICIARIES: 

Researchers of any nationality with 2-10 years of experience since completion of PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise and an excellent research proposal can apply.

The certified date of the successful PhD defence is used as a reference point.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Applications can be made in any field of research

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities.

GRANT: 100% of total costs

FUNDING PER PROJECT: Up to 1.5 M EUR.

• Additional 1M EUR to cover e.g. startup costs, major equipment, access to large facilities, major experimental and field work costs; 

• Additional 2M EUR for PIs based in non-associated Third Countries relocating to the EU or an Associated Country .

PROJECT DURATION: 5 years

CALL: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2027-CoG)

DEADLINE: TBD

BENEFICIARIES: 

Researchers of any nationality with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise and an excellent research proposal can apply.

The certified date of the successful PhD defence is used as a reference point.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Applications can be made in any field of research.

The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities. 

GRANT: 100% of total costs

FUNDING PER PROJECT: Up to 2 M EUR

• Additional 1M EUR to cover e.g. startup costs, major equipment, access to large facilities, major experimental and field work costs; 

• Additional 2M EUR for PIs based in non-associated Third Countries relocating to the EU or an Associated Country .

PROJECT DURATION: 5 years

CALL: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-SE-01-01

PLANNED OPENING DATE: 16/12/2025

DEADLINE: 16/04/2026

OBJECTIVE: Funding short-term international and inter-sectoral exchanges of staff members involved in research and innovation activities of participating organisations.

The aim is to develop sustainable collaborative projects between different organisations from the academic and non-academic sectors (in particular SMEs), based in Europe and beyond.

WHO CAN APPLY: International consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations. 

FUNDED STAFF:

• Researchers at any career stage, from PhD candidates to postdoctoral researchers, as well as administrative, technical or managerial staff involved in research and innovation activities

• Can be of any nationality

• Must be engaged in, or linked to, research and innovation activities at their sending organisation for at least one month prior to the secondment

• Should return to their sending organisation after the secondment, to pass on their knowledge and foster collaboration

WHAT DOES THE FUNDING COVER: 

A top-up allowance (for travel, accommodation, subsistence costs), which is on top of the salary paid by their organisation, and a special needs allowance (if applicable).

The Host Institution also receives funding to cover research, training, and networking activities, management and indirect costs.

PROJECT DURATION: Up to 4 years.

The grant funds the mobility of seconded staff members from one month to one year.

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al LINK.

CALL: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01

PLANNED OPENING DATE: 09/04/2026

DEADLINE: 09/09/2026 

OBJECTIVE: Supporting researchers’ careers and fostering excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. PFs help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.

WHO CAN APPLY: Interested researchers submit an application together with a host organisation.

Researchers interested:

• should have  PhD degree at the time of the deadline of the application;

• must have a maximum of 8 years experience in research (extensions for specific cases are allowed);

• should comply with mobility rules.

TYPES OF FELLOWSHIP:

• European: open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career. These fellowships take place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and can last between 1 and 2 years. Researchers of any nationality can apply.

• Global: mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts between 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Only nationals or long-term residents of the EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.

WHAT DOES THE FUNDING COVER: 

A top-up allowance (for travel, accommodation, subsistence costs), which is on top of the salary paid by their organisation, and a special needs allowance (if applicable).

The Host Institution also receives funding to cover research, training, and networking activities, management and indirect costs.

DURATION: 

• European Fellowships: 12-24 months

• Global Fellowships:

  • Outgoing phase: 12-24 in a non-associated third country

  • Return phase: mandatory 12 months in a European Host Institution.

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al LINK.

CALL: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN-01-01

PLANNED OPENING DATE: 28/05/2026

DEADLINE: 24/11/2026

OBJECTIVE: Implement doctoral programmes by partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation capacities and boost their employability in the long-term.

FUNDED ACTIVITIES:

Besides standard Doctoral Networks, incentives have been introduced to promote two specific types of doctorates as well.

• Industrial Doctorates: They train PhD candidates who wish develop their skills and step outside academia, in particular in industry and business. Individual participants must be enrolled in a doctoral programme and jointly supervised by the academic and non-academic partners

• Joint Doctorates: They provide a highly integrated type of international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral training leading to a joint doctoral degree or multiple doctoral degrees awarded by the participating institutions. PhD candidates must be enrolled in a joint programme and be jointly supervised.

WHO CAN APPLY: International consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations. 

WHAT DOES THE FUNDING COVER: A fixed amount to cover the minimum salary of doctoral candidates: living allowance, mobility allowance, if applicable family, long-term leave and special needs allowances.

Funding is also provided to the Host Institution for research, training and networking activities, management and indirect costs.

PROJECT DURATION: Up to 4 years (up to 5 years in the case of Joint Doctorate projects).

The duration of each fellowship is between 3 and 36 months (between 3 and 48 months in the case of Joint Doctorate fellowships).

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al LINK.

CALL: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-COFUND-02-01

OPENING: 08/12/2026

DEADLINE: 06/04/2027

OBJECTIVE: Increase the attractiveness of European research careers by addressing the issue of precarity and offer excellent working conditions, turning the current challenge of brain drain in the R&I sector into brain gain.

BENEFICIARIES: A single legal entity in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country applies and is responsible for recruiting the researchers. Additional associated partners can be included in the project. 

FUNDED ACTIVITIES:

The action supports projects in which academic and non-academic organisations recruit postdoctoral researchers, with a view to offering longer-term employment beyond the project period.

Proposed programmes can cover any research discipline. 

WHAT DOES THE FUNDING COVER?

Projects should recruit at least 3 researchers for up to 5 years, with MSCA co-funding the first 2 to 3 years and the institutions providing the funding (with internal or external funds) for an additional 2 years.

The programmes will be divided into two phases:

1. A first phase (24-36 months) in which the EU funding is equivalent to the minimum gross salary for the recruited researcher during this phase;

2. A second phase (24 months) in which the applicant is expected to continue to employ the researcher, set salaries attractive at a national level and ensure availability of the necessary internal or external funds.

WHICH RESEARCHERS CAN BE RECRUITED?

Researchers can be of any nationality, should comply with the mobility rules*, can go on short-term secondments, must have a doctoral degree. should NOT already be permanently employed by the organisation hosting them.

*Mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline of the co-funded programme's call

GRANT: Unit cost. A fixed amount to cover the minimum salary that researchers should receive during the first 2-to-3-year phase of the project (€6700), a long-term leave allowance and a special needs allowance, if applicable, for each supported researcher.

FUNDING PER PROJECT:  A beneficiary can receive max €3.5 million

PROJECT DURATION: 48 months or 60 months, depending on the length chosen by the institution for the first phase.

CALL: CREA-CROSS-2026-MEDIALITERACY

OPENING: 23/10/2025

DEADLINE: 11/03/2026

OBJECTIVE: This action aims to promote media literacy in order to enable citizens to use, and develop a critical understanding of the media and support knowledge sharing and exchanges on media literacy policies and practices.

BENEFICIARIES:

Legal entities (public or private bodies) established in an EU Member State or in a Creative Europe Participating Country.

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 3 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities), which complies with the following conditions:

− minimum 3 independent entities from 3 different eligible countries

− consortia may include profit and/or non-profit organisations, whether private or public, such as public authorities (national, regional, local), international organisations, universities and educational institutions, media organisations,

research and technology institutions, technology providers, etc.

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al seguente link.

CALL: CREA-CROSS-2026-INNOVLAB

OPENING: 23/10/2025

DEADLINE: 23/04/2026

OBJECTIVE: The Creative Innovation Lab support shall support the design, development and/or spread of innovative tools, models or solutions applicable in the audiovisual (compulsory) and at least one the following sectors: music, books or museums.

BENEFICIARIES:

Legal entities (public or private bodies) established in an EU Member State or in a Creative Europe Participating Country.

Projects can be submitted either by a single entity or a consortium made up of at least 2 partners from eligible countries.

PRIORITIES:

• Virtual Worlds as a new environment for the promotion of European content, audience renewal and competitiveness of European content industries;

• Innovative Business Tools for production, financing, distribution or promotion enabled or enhanced by new technology (AI, big data, blockchain, Virtual Worlds, NFT, etc.);

• “Greener” practices in order to lower the impact on the environment of the audiovisual and other cultural sectors in line with the Commission’s Green Deal and the New Bauhaus initiative.

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al seguente link.

CALL: CREA-CULT-2026-COOP - The call is expected to be opened in February 2026

OPENING: February 2026

DEADLINE: TBC

OBJECTIVE: This call will support projects contributing to the following objectives:

• Transnational creation and circulation: to strengthen the transnational creation and circulation of European works and artists; 

• Innovation: to enhance the capacity of European cultural and creative sectors to nurture talents, to innovate, to prosper and to generate jobs and growth

BENEFICIARIES:

Legal entities (public or private bodies) established in an EU Member State or in a Creative Europe Participating Country.

• The coordinating entity must have had a legal existence for at least two years on the date of the deadline for submission of applications;

• An organisation can apply only once as coordinator under the call, regardless of the scale of projects chosen;

• An organisation can be part of a maximum of 3 applications submitted, whether as coordinator and/or partner, regardless of the scale of project.

TYPES OF PROJECTS:

• Small-scale projects are particularly suitable to promote the access of grassroots organisations and supporting them in the creation of new partnerships and the development of new activities and innovative ideas, such as festivals, art fairs, exhibitions, performances, etc.)

• Medium scale projects have already proven their quality both in the applications received and the results already achieved in the first years of the programme implementation.

Calendario indicativo Call 2026-2027

A questo link è possibile consultare il Work Programme 2026-2027 e il calendario indicativo delle call.

• CALL ID: CERV-2026-GE

• STRAND: Promote equality and rights

• BUDGET: 23.000.000

• PUBBLICAZIONE/APERTURA: 29/01/2026

• DEADLINE: 28/04/2026

• ESITI: Ottobre 2026

• FIRMA DEL GRANT AGREEMENT: Novembre 2026- Febbraio 2027

PRIORITA':

1. CERV-2026-GE-WORK-LIFE Supporting work-life balance, equal share of care responsibilities, family-friendly policies among employers and the value of care sector Jobs

2. CERV-2026-GE-PAY-TRANSP-DIR Promoting and supporting the implementation of the provisions of the Pay Transparency Directive and respect of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value

3. CERV-2026-GE-EQUAL-PART-REP Supporting equal participation and representation of women and men in economic and political decision-making

4. CERV-2026-GE-GENDER-STEREO Tackling gender stereotypes in media and advertising

BUDGET PER PROGETTO: Min 100.000 e max 500.000 euro

DURATA: 12-24 mesi

Per maggiori informazioni visita la pagina dedicata sul sito dei Manager della Ricerca disponibile al seguente link.

• CALL ID: CERV-2026-CITIZENS-CIV

• STRAND: Promote citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union

• BUDGET: 30.000.000

• PUBBLICAZIONE: Inizio Febbraio

• APERTURA: 12/02/2026

• DEADLINE: 29/04/2026

• ESITI: Ottobre 2026

PRIORITA':

1. Supportare processi elettorali liberi, equi e inclusivi (concentrandosi sulle informazioni relative alle elezioni e ai diritti elettorali, in particolare per i cittabili mobili dell'UE, nel pieno rispetto delle competenze degli Stati Membri nell'organizzazione delle elezioni).

2. Promuovere il coinvolgimento attivo dei cittadini e la partecipazione democratica all'elaborazione delle politiche pubbliche, al di là delle elezioni, nonché un più ampio impegno civico.

3. Contrastare la diffusione della disinformazione e la manipolazione e l'interferenza delle informazioni straniere nel dibattito e nei processi democratici.

• CALL ID: CERV-2026-CITIZENS-REM

• STRAND: Promote citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union

• BUDGET: 28.000.000

• PUBBLICAZIONE: 12/05/2026

• APERTURA: 16/06/2026

• DEADLINE: 30/09/2026

• ESITI: Marzo 2027

PRIORITA':

1. Ricordare le transizioni democratiche, la costruzione e ricostruzione delle istituzioni democratiche, e il rafforzamento della società basato sullo stato di diritto, la democrazia e i diritti fondamentali.

2. Rafforzare la memoria dell'Olocausto, gli atti di genocidio, i crimini di guerra e i crimini contro l'umanità per rafforzare la democrazia in UE.

3. Promuovere la memoria dell'eredità del colonialismo, della schiavitù e delle migrazioni e del loro impatto sulle società multiculturali europee contemporanee. 

• CALL ID: CERV-2026-DAPHNE

• STRAND: Daphne (gender-based violence and violence against other vulnerable groups)

• BUDGET: 21.000.000

• PUBBLICAZIONE: 30/04/2026

• APERTURA: 14/05/2026

• DEADLINE: 10/09/2026

• ESITI: Marzo 2027

PRIORITA':

1. Sostenere le organizzazioni intermediarie (fornendo sostegno finanziario alle organizzazioni della società civile) che operano nei settori della violenza di genere e della violenza contro i minori.

2. Proteggere e sostenere le vittime e i sopravvissuti alla violenza di genere.

3. Prevenire la violenza di genere.

4. Sostenere il raggiungimento degli obiettivi della Convenzione del Consiglio d'Europa sulla prevenzione e la lotta contro la violenza contro le donne e la violenza domestica nell'Unione e l'attuazione della Direttiva sulla lotta contro la violenza contro le donne e la violenza domestica.

5. Rafforzare i sistemi integrati di protezione dell'infanzia, anche attraverso la collaborazione intersettoriale, e garantire risposte coordinate e incentrate sui minori alla violenza contro i minori, contribuendo all'attuazione della Raccomandazione della Commissione sui sistemi integrati di protezione dell'infanzia.

• CALL ID: CERV-2026-CHAR-LITI

• BUDGET: 26.000.000

• PUBBLICAZIONE: 21/04/2026

• APERTURA: 20/05/2026

• DEADLINE: 15/09/2026

• ESITI: Marzo 2027

PRIORITA':

1. Sensibilizzare e rafforzare le capacità per la Carta dei diritti fondamentali dell'UE.

2. Promuovere e favorire lo spazio civico. 

3. Proteggere i valori dell'UE contrastando i discorsi d'odio e i crimini d'odio.

4. Sostenere un ambiente favorevole alla protezione dei whistleblower.

In attesa di pubblicazione di nuove call

CALL: COST Action Open Call 2026

CALL OPENING: Summer 2026. All relevant documents will be available in Spring 2026.

DEADLINE: Autumn 2026

EXPECTED NUMBER OF ACTIONS TO BE FUNDED IN THE 2026 CALL: 70 COST Actions

BENEFICIARIES: 

COST Actions are open to anyone affiliated to a legal entity located in a COST Member or in any Near Neighbour Country (NNC) or Third State (International Partner Countries).

A legal entity of affiliation can be: a public entity, universities, research centres, SMEs, large companies, NGOs, Specific Organisation (the European Commission, EU bodies, offices and agencies, the European RTD Organisations and International Organisations)

COST Members can be:

• COST Full Members

• COST Cooperating Members (Israel)

• COST Partner Members (South Africa)

If you are located in a non-COST country, check what you are eligible to participate in the “Am I eligible tool”

Network of Proposers: at least 7 different COST Full or Cooperating Members. Among these, at least 50% shall be from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries.

OBJECTIVE:

A COST Action is an interdisciplinary research network that brings researchers and innovators together to investigate a topic of their choice. COST and other relevant organisations or interested parties. Actions are typically made up of researchers from academia, SMEs, public institutions.

It is open to all science and technology fields, including new and emerging fields and its mission is to strengthen Europe’s capacity to address scientific, technological and societal challenges.

FUNDED ACTIVITIES:

Activities may include: 

• workshops, seminars, conferences

• training activities, expert meetings, webinars, awareness-raising activities, high-visibility events

• data gathering and consultation

• development, exchanges and dissemination of good practices among public authorities and civil society organizations

• development of communication tools and the use of social media.

FUNDING PER PROJECT: Around 600.000 euros

PROJECT DURATION: 4 years