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

African Union – European Union Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)

Microbiome for terrestrial livestock sustainability and health within a One Health approach

Increasing the resilience of agriculture in water and nutrient-scarce environments through digital innovations

Impact of access to nature-positive environments in promoting social cohesion and reducing inequalities in urban and peri-urban settings

Enhancing farmer's profitability and resilience through innovations for diversified crops and value chains

Crafting routes to a circular economy

Strengthening rural communities' resilience to shocks

Towards a consolidated culture and creativity driven European innovation ecosystem

Culture, heritage and creative industries for health and well-being

Closing the learning gap: uncovering causes and effective policy interventions for declining youth skills in mathematics, reading, and science

Impact of in-kind benefits on income distribution and on vulnerable populations

Future-proofing sustainable cultural tourism

The effective use of artificial intelligence in learning environments in pre-primary and primary education

Global Human Rights and EU values

Scaling and deploying innovations in migration management

Re-imagining the creative economy: the interplay between the cultural and creative sectors and industries and the social economy

Enhancing Mobility for All: affordable, reliable, and accessible multimodal transport for inclusive rural and urban connectivity – Societal Readiness pilot

Inclusive and climate resilient multimodal passenger hubs enhancing modal shift towards sustainable transport and shared mobility

Hydrogen cities

Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities

Support for dissemination events in the field of Transport Research

Holistic solutions for CCAM integration in critical scenarios (CCAM Partnership)

Innovative microgrids for improved energy system integration and efficiency in urban contexts

Open topic on increasing security of citizens against terrorism, including in public spaces

Trusted, secure, quality future digital travel credentials

Open grounds for future pre-commercial procurement of innovative security technologies

Enhancing decision support system for disaster crises: leveraging emerging technologies for improved civil preparedness and crisis management

Societal resilience, engagement of the younger generations and digital innovation for disaster resilience

Open topic on enhanced prevention, detection and deterrence of societal issues related to various forms of crime

Community policing in diverse societies in Europe

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences EU Grants