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

Smart and multifunctional textiles

High-performance energy systems

Future multirole light aircraft

Quantum secured tactical networks

Multidomain sensors demonstrator and test

Non-thematic development actions by SMEs

New abilities in over-the-horizon sensing

Layered critical seabed infrastructure protection

High-end endo-atmospheric interception

Smart technologies for next generation fighter systems

Self-protection systems

Enhanced medium-size semi-autonomous surface vessels

Future main battle tank platform systems

Energy efficient urban and sub-urban public transport, complemented by shared mobility

Increasing competitiveness and resilience of multimodal freight transport and logistics for competitive supply chains

Enhanced resilience in multimodal passenger transport through digital technologies and generative and discriminative AI

Integrated Production and Product Development for Next-Generation Lithium-based Batteries for Mobility (BATT4EU and Made in Europe Partnerships)

Geopolitical competition and socioeconomic resilience in CCAM: an innovation and policy roadmap for EU leadership (CCAM Partnership)

Generative AI for smarter CCAM: enhancing perception, decision-making, and validation (CCAM Partnership)

Flagship-pilot: large-scale demonstrations of CCAM (CCAM Partnership)

Supporting sustainable and smart urban mobility in Europe (CIVITAS)

Road Safety and resilience of rural areas

Co-funded European Partnership for Social Transformations and Resilience

Reliability of age assessment methods in the context of security and border management

Public procurement of innovation for security

Development of ecosystem and next-generation capabilities for a secured European Critical Communication System in civil security

Designing new ways of risk awareness and enhanced disaster preparedness

Accessible and available travel facilitation

Enhancing the security of citizens against terrorism and lone-actor violence in confined spaces such as schools

Security challenges of the green transition in urban und peri urban areas

Frequently Asked Questions About Research EU Grants