Question 1

What EU grants are available for the Social Sciences sector?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Social Sciences 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 Social Sciences grants from the EU?

Accepted Answer

Applying for EU grants in the Social Sciences 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 Social Sciences EU grants?

Accepted Answer

EU grants for the Social Sciences 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 Social Sciences EU grants?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for Social Sciences 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 Social Sciences

European Universities

Global collaboration action for the development of TB drugs for therapy and chemoprophylaxis in adults and children in sub-Saharan Africa

Global collaboration action on climate and health in sub-Saharan Africa

Global collaboration action towards better prevention, treatment and clinical management of HIV co-infections or co-morbidities in sub-Saharan Africa

Partnerships for Cooperation - Cooperation Partnerships in the field of Youth submitted by European NGOs 2026

Small-scale Partnerships

Capacity Building in the Field of Sport

Cooperation Partnerships

Not-for-profit European sport events

Alliances for Education and Enterprises

Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills (implementing the ‘Blueprint')

European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot

Pillar III: Fostering citizen engagement for more responsible and democratic R&I

Pillar III: European Citizens' Hackathon Championship

Pillar I: Accelerating open access and research assessment reforms in ERA

Pillar I: Building institutional capacities for ethical, equitable, open, and inclusive ERA

Pillar IV: Advancing Knowledge for ERA

Pillar II: Piloting innovative approaches to support academic startups and spinoffs

Pillar II: Strengthening ecosystems for open, ethical, and sustainable ERA

Pillar III: Science comes to town 2028

ERC Proof Of Concept Grants

Leadership Development programme for higher education institutions’ leaders

European Degree Pathway Projects

A European Benchmarking Framework for hybrid quantum-classical computing

A European HPC-centric Benchmark Framework

Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in Sub-Saharan Africa

Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in South Mediterranean Countries

Capacity building in VET in Latin America

Capacity building in VET in Caribbean

Capacity building in VET in South Mediterranean Countries

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants