Question 1

What EU grants are available for the Research sector?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Research sector. These include grants through Horizon Europe (the EU's flagship research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion), the European Innovation Council (EIC) which provides funding for breakthrough innovations, and various sector-specific initiatives. Funding types range from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with 100% funding rates, to Innovation Actions (IA) with 70% funding for companies, and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for networking and coordination activities. Our database helps you find grants that match your organization's specific needs, project stage, and funding requirements.

Question 2

How do I apply for Research grants from the EU?

Accepted Answer

Applying for EU grants in the Research sector involves several key steps. First, use Grantalist to identify suitable open calls that match your project idea and organization type. Next, carefully review the call documentation, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the work programme. Most EU grants require you to form a consortium with partners from at least 3 different EU member states or associated countries. Once ready, you'll submit your proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which includes a detailed description of your project, work packages, budget breakdown, and impact assessment. The evaluation process typically takes 3-5 months, after which successful applicants enter grant agreement preparation. We recommend starting your application at least 2-3 months before the deadline.

Question 3

What is the typical funding amount for Research EU grants?

Accepted Answer

EU grants for the Research sector offer diverse funding levels depending on the programme and action type. Small-scale grants through programmes like EIC Accelerator can start from €500,000 up to €2.5 million in grant funding, plus up to €15 million in equity investment. Collaborative research projects under Horizon Europe typically range from €3 million to €10 million for standard projects, while some large-scale flagship initiatives can exceed €20 million. SMEs and startups often benefit from higher funding rates (up to 70% for Innovation Actions compared to large companies) and access to specialized instruments. The exact amount depends on the specific call topic, project scope, consortium size, and type of activities proposed.

Question 4

Who is eligible for Research EU grants?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for Research EU grants extends to a wide range of organizations. Legal entities from EU member states and associated countries (including the UK for some programmes, Norway, Switzerland, and others) are typically eligible. This includes universities and research institutions, large enterprises and multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, startups and scale-ups, public bodies and NGOs, and international organizations. Some calls specifically target certain organization types, such as SME-only calls or academic-focused research grants. Third-country participation is possible in many programmes, though often without EU funding.

EU Grants for Research

Understanding the forms of local democracy in low-income and low-middle income countries

Tackling gender-based violence against politically active women and LGBTIQ people

Government in transition – how governments change the way they work and prepare the civil service for the future

Sustainable paths to media viability

The impact of the use of digital tools outside school and for communication on educational outcomes and mental health

Contribution of basic skills to productivity, innovation, competitiveness and economic growth

Strengthened implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and a focus on inclusion, integration, and health

Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality

Safeguarding linguistic diversity in Europe

Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature positive solutions from source to sea

Tackling child poverty and ensuring disadvantaged children's access to Early Childhood Education and Care

Preventing and fighting illicit trafficking of cultural goods

Regional (sea-basins) components of the EU Digital Twin Ocean

Fostering competences for the green transition

Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites

Joint demonstration of solutions to build soil resilience to extreme weather events and support food security

Supporting post-conflict democracy and reconstruction

Rethinking long-term care policy in the face of EU demographic shifts

Digital and media literacy as drivers for democratic and civic resilience

Monitoring soil health in practice: equipping stakeholders to sample, analyse, and interpret soil health indicators

Citizenship education as part of lifelong learning

Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic biosynthesis in soils: developing key understanding and counteractive strategies using a One-Health approach

Making Europe a global magnet for talent - Attracting and retaining students, researchers and high-skilled workers from outside the EU

Electoral integrity in the digital context

Leveraging long-term field experiments and other datasets to develop AI-ready decision support systems for sustainable soil management

Open topic: Strengthen Europe's social model and sustainable competitiveness through productivity

Large-scale demonstration for mapping the distribution and condition of marine habitats to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation

Towards a fair and transparent market for cultural and creative content in the era of generative AI

AI integration in CCSI work practice: catalysing innovation and competitiveness

Boosting creative startups for disruptive innovation

Frequently Asked Questions About Research EU Grants