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

Biotechnology application for CCU

Increasing the circularity of bio-based sector: upcycling and recycling for higher value and environmental benefits

Science-policy support to the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies

Towards a Europe of Bioeconomy Places

Innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through collection, sorting and recycling

Living Labs for the eradication and/or management of invasive alien species

Developing effective air quality planning strategies through innovative multi-scale modelling

Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) for integrated clinical decision support in prevention and diagnosis

Towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for healthcare

Urban nature: supporting restoration of urban ecosystems, along urban transport networks and in the built environment

Empowering local urban food systems entrepreneurship and innovation

Student and family engagement for developing a culture of democratic/civic participation

Unleashing the potential of sustainable small-scale aquatic food production and recreational fisheries for prosperous local communities

Development aid and democratic governance

Increasing mitigation of GHG emissions and feed efficiency through feed additives

Safeguarding & transmission of intangible cultural heritage

Women’s, LGBTIQ and minority rights in a context of autocracy, conflict and geopolitical shifts

Addressing the impact of artificial intelligence, cyberviolence, and deepfakes on equality, democracy and inclusive societies

Advisory support and network for countering and preventing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisation

Improving understanding of the contribution of the organic farming sector to sustainability

The impact of EU labour mobility on the Member States of the EU

Societal impact of cultural heritage

The role of private companies in democracy

Carbon farming innovation and scale-up

Strengthening evidence-based policies for the resilience of European agriculture and forestry and related supply chains against crises and systemic risks

AI4Creatives Support Platform: embracing a fair AI revolution

Persons with disabilities: opportunities for labour inclusion and social protection through the life course

Rethinking sustainable competitiveness beyond traditional perspectives: role and contribution of the Social Economy

Governance, sustainable development and international politics of a future ice-free Arctic

Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedom

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants