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

Centres of Vocational Excellence

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Improve the Quality of Life of older cancer patients

Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC)

Innovative technologies and solutions to improve wind energy systems supporting the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind

European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA) (Phase 2)

Researching the technical, social & economic factors impacting the energy performance of Smart Buildings (Built4People Partnership)

Pragmatic clinical trials to optimise immunotherapeutic interventions for patients with refractory cancers

Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss

Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging

Supporting pre-normative research for standardization of the bio-based products

Balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity objectives to unlock sustainable value chains

Understanding biomass flows in Europe

Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living

Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic)

Bioremediation of Ukraine’s ecosystems contaminated by conflicts

Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts

Fostering competences for the green transition

Boosting creative startups for disruptive innovation

Supporting post-conflict democracy and reconstruction

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

Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality

“Artistic intelligence” : harnessing the power of the arts to address complex challenges, enhance soft skills and boost innovation and competitiveness

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

Preventing and fighting illicit trafficking of cultural goods

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

Creative alliances: Fostering global partnerships in cultural policies and CCI innovation

Governing global commons sustainably

Fostering cooperation and integration between SSH and STEM research and innovation in the EU

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants