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

Boosting sustainable competitiveness in rural areas through innovation

Boosting the competitiveness of protein crops in Europe

Towards the water infrastructures of the future

Living labs to enhance soil health in managed forests and in natural/semi-natural lands

Strengthening the EU plant protection ecosystem for a future-proof agriculture

Advancing basic knowledge and developing tools for sustainable management of key migratory fish species

Boosting data availability and AI solutions in food for consumers and food service professionals

Interconnect Earth Observation research for addressing environmental policies

Increasing knowledge flows to practice within AKIS via EU thematic knowledge hubs

A services and business incubator for geospatial open-source developments

Fighting disinformation and effectively communicating on climate change

Economics of climate change and cost of inaction

Embracing innovation in agriculture by peer-to-peer learning via on farm-demonstrations and cost-benefit analysis

Apply AI: Robotics for Manufacturing: Advancing Core Skills through Technical Challenges (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)

Advancing European climate risk assessments

Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy

Networking and Future Photonics Strategy (CSA) (Photonics Partnership)

Fostering 2-Dimensional Materials (2DM) based emerging and enabling technologies (CSA)

Supporting All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance

Empowering the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Improving analytical capacity and understanding of social drivers in agriculture to better assess social sustainability in the sector

Additional activities for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)

Open Internet Stack Sovereign Solutions (RIA)

Support for social dialogue

Next-Generation AI Agents for Real-World Applications in the Apply AI sectors (RIA) (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics)

Web 4.0 architectural framework and Open Internet Stack applications for virtual worlds (RIA)

Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)

Standards for Quantum Technologies – Coordination and Support Action (CSA)

Apply AI: Pilot of the “Science for AI” Pillar of RAISE (“Resource for AI science in Europe”) (RIA)

Open Internet Stack Support for Scale (CSA)

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants