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

Optimise the usage of resources in a circular economy (RIA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships)

Enhancing industry-academia knowledge exchange in Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (CSA)

Boosting innovation for better assessment of the added value of innovative integrated healthcare solutions

Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science – Agriculture and Environmental Pollution (RAISE pilot)

Boosting innovation for a better understanding of the determinants of health

Boosting innovation for people-centred integrated healthcare solutions

Boosting innovation through exploitation of digitalisation and data exchange in healthcare

Boosting innovation through better integration of fragmented health R&I efforts

Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science (RAISE pilot) (RIA)

Supporting work-life balance, equal share of care responsibilities, family-friendly policies among employers and the value of care sector jobs.

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.

Supporting equal participation and representation of women and men in economic and political decision-making.

Tackling gender stereotypes in media and advertising.

Military multi-domain operations cloud services

Collection, Generation and Validation of Datasets suitable for training AI Models for 6G Networks and for AIaaS

SNS experimental infrastructure

SNS Operations and Output optimisation

Preparatory work for counselling structures to support mobile migrant labour

RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal

Ceep

Uptake of FAIR data management practices and of EOSC by research communities and research infrastructures (EOSC Partnership)

R&D for the next generation of scientific instrumentation, tools, methods, digitalisation and solutions for research infrastructure upgrades

Research infrastructure concept development including major upgrades or extensions of existing infrastructures

Risk management, mitigation and contingency for ESFRI/ERIC and other world-class research infrastructures

Research infrastructures as accelerators of the integration of Ukraine in the European Research Area

Implementing digital services to empower neuroscience research for health and brain inspired technology via EBRAINS

Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – pilots for strategic coordination, synergies and simplified access pathways, by large thematic clusters of pan-European research infrastructures

Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – individual support for evolution, long-term sustainability and emerging needs of pan-European research infrastructures

Trusted frameworks for secure and efficient data sharing in EOSC (EOSC Partnership)

Renewable energy technology (RET) solutions in energy communities

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants