Grants

The grant aims to deliver increased alignment of research with society’s needs, expectations and values. Projects are expected to strengthen the capacity, networks, and involvement of participating cities in science communication and citizen engagement, inform evidence-based policymaking, and improve the attractiveness of diverse careers in Research and Innovation (R&I) for younger generations. The programme involves a joint 1-year initiative, including high-profile events such as the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) and the EU TalentOn competition for early-career researchers. Various events and activities focus on connecting citizens and science, inclusivity, gender equality, and citizen science. The programme must take place in 3-6 cities from at least three EU Member States or Associated Countries, with a majority in Member States. Applicants must mobilise substantial resources, demonstrate strong local commitment, and provide a detailed programme. Synergies with initiatives such as the European Researchers’ Night are encouraged.

Supports research performing organisations (RPOs) across the EU in developing and adopting institutional open access policies, with a focus on rights retention for scholarly publishing. The action aims to expand equitable and inclusive research by increasing the number of organisations with rights retention clauses, raising the share of open access publications, and improving access and preservation of scientific information through institutional infrastructures. Proposals should foster cooperation, develop guidance and training materials, and design strategies to maximise policy adoption among researchers, considering costs, research assessment, disciplinary needs, and legal contexts.

This grant aims to support the creation of new knowledge and strengthen expertise and networks in the EU on China’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. It seeks to bolster the EU’s independent analysis of contemporary China, improving the understanding and monitoring of China's STI system to develop strategic foresight and evidence-based policies. Funded projects will develop innovative interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies for assessing China's advancements in critical technology areas, foster collaboration between EU and technical experts, especially involving young EU researchers, and build a connected network of experts. The expected duration for projects is up to 3 years.

This grant aims to create and enhance talent ecosystems across Europe to support attractive and sustainable early research careers. Projects will foster improved research career mobility, employability, well-being, and skills development for researchers and other R&I staff, in line with the European framework for research careers and the European Charter for Researchers. Close and coordinated cooperation between public and private sector organizations is supported to establish conditions for researcher career interoperability, enable career development opportunities, and attract both international and European diaspora talents. Supported activities include mapping challenges, developing organizational action plans aligned with the Charter for Researchers, upskilling, designing and implementing training programs in partnership with non-academic sectors, establishing career development and mentoring services, and outreach to attract international researchers. Talent ecosystems may be sector-specific or cross-sectoral, and are required to be sustainable beyond the project's duration. The action does not support individual researchers’ salaries or mobility.

This grant supports the adoption of ERA (European Research Area) policies and practices aimed at fostering innovative ways to enhance science-society connections and scientific literacy. The goal is to increase trust in science and align research and innovation (R&I) with society’s needs, expectations, and values, thereby strengthening the democratic character and impact of science within Europe. Projects may target youth engagement or the scaling up of public science engagement at the EU level, prioritizing inclusivity, wide geographical coverage, gender equality, and the involvement of diverse stakeholders including civil society, researchers, policymakers, and the public.

This grant aims to provide trans-national and virtual access to integrated and customised research infrastructure services for challenge-driven research and innovation in various priority areas of the EU. Its goals include enabling advanced research through state-of-the-art infrastructures, fostering cross-disciplinary activities and innovation, supporting early-career researchers from widening countries, improving data management according to FAIR principles, and helping address scientific and societal challenges such as cancer, sustainable agrifood, polar ecosystems, material circularity, semiconductors, and geosphere research. The grant also promotes sharing of knowledge and resources, cross-sectoral partnerships, and sustainable development aligned with key EU policies.

This grant aims to better connect research infrastructures and a wider user community throughout the European Research Area, promoting excellence, collaboration, and knowledge circulation. The action supports access to advanced research infrastructures for curiosity-driven, interdisciplinary research, encourages integration of broader user communities, and enhances the capacity of early-stage researchers. The grant supports trans-national and virtual access to an array of national or pan-European research infrastructures, stimulates bi-directional exchanges, outreach, and capacity building activities, and promotes the FAIR data principle and open science standards.

This grant supports initiatives aiming to increase and exploit the potential of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) as a platform for innovation and knowledge valorisation, encouraging industry-academia collaboration. The focus is on enhancing the legal and technical frameworks for valuing knowledge resources, fostering open innovation practices, and supporting start-ups and industry access to EOSC resources. Activities include developing business models, analysing legal frameworks, conducting case studies, and producing guidance and best practices to strengthen knowledge valorisation in the EOSC Federation.

This grant supports the preparatory phase of new ESFRI research infrastructure projects as identified in the 2026 update of the ESFRI Roadmap. Projects are expected to boost scientific capacity, performance, and excellence of the European research infrastructure landscape. The programme addresses legal, financial, and technical issues to lay the foundation for new infrastructures and ensure the commitment of Member States/Associated Countries to their long-term operation and use. The scope includes developing legal and financial frameworks and agreements, planning governance, logistics, and human resources, addressing technical design and technology implementation, and ensuring access to data and alignment with FAIR principles. Proposals should also consider socio-economic impacts and links with regional strategies and previous EU grants, including environmental impacts and resource optimisation.