Core objective: To support and strengthen Research and Innovation (R&I) policy-making in EU enlargement countries, fostering their integration into the European Research Area (ERA) and European Innovation Area (EIA).
Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: The grant targets legal entities (e.g., public bodies, research organizations, universities, NGOs) of any size, primarily based in specified enlargement countries.
MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-SPECIFIC (focused on Research & Innovation, Education, and Policy Development).
Geographic scope and any location requirements: Specifically targets enlargement countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Must be a legal entity, located in an eligible enlargement country, and focused on R&I policy, capacity building, or ecosystem development.
Grant frequency and program context: This is a call under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, specifically the 'Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area' component. It is part of an ongoing EU funding framework.
Financial Structure
Total budget allocated for this specific topic: EUR 3,000,000.0.
Expected grant size per project: EUR 3,000,000.0.
Funding mechanism: Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
Financial support to third parties is permitted in the form of grants.
Maximum amount to be granted to each individual third party: EUR 60,000.0.
Eligible and ineligible costs: Detailed guidelines are provided in Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Indirect cost policies: Standard Horizon Europe indirect cost rules apply, as outlined in Annex G.
Financial reporting and audit requirements: Applicants must adhere to the reporting and audit procedures described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Model Grant Agreement.
Eligibility Requirements
Organizational Type & Legal Status
Coordinator must be a legal entity established in a Widening country.
Beneficiaries can be any legal entity eligible for Horizon Europe funding.
Geographic Location
Coordinator must be established in one of the following Widening countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo (this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine.
At least 50% of the total project budget must be allocated to beneficiaries established in Widening countries.
Financial & Operational Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Consortium Requirements
A consortium is required, involving multiple beneficiaries to ensure coordination and broad impact across the region.
Exclusion Criteria
Standard Horizon Europe exclusion criteria apply, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Application forms: Specific templates are available in the Electronic Submission System (e.g., Standard application form (HE CSA)).
Submission platform: Proposals must be submitted via the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Required Documentation
Proposal content and format: Page limits and layout requirements are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and specifically in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Evaluation Process
Evaluation and award processes: Detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Indicative timeline: The timeline for evaluation and grant agreement signature is described in Annex F.
Grant Agreement & Post-Award
Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Governed by the rules described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA) available: Relevant MGA templates (e.g., HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA) will be used.
Support and Guidance
Comprehensive support is available through various resources, including the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs) in EU and non-EU countries, Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the Partner Search tool.
Evaluation Criteria
Expected Impact
Contribution to the integration of enlargement countries into the European Research Area (ERA) and European Innovation Area (EIA).
Support for national and regional R&I and education initiatives, aligning with Widening programme objectives.
Fostering regional economic growth and prosperity through planned investments in game-changing innovations and sustainable development.
Contribution to reforming R&I ecosystems, offering better opportunities for capacity building.
Closer integration of enlargement countries with EU priorities, such as the Green Deal and digital transformation.
Reduction of the innovation performance divide between enlargement countries and the EU.
Support for the accession process and deeper integration into relevant European programmes.
Identification of common R&I priorities among participating national and regional R&I ecosystems.
Contribution to joint initiatives, leading to funding of regional innovation actions.
Support for human capital development, including research and innovation, in line with relevant regional plans (e.g., Western Balkans Agenda, Growth Plan for Western Balkans, Moldova, Ukraine).
Quality and Implementation
Actions should foster capacity building efforts, improve Technology Transfer Processes, and promote networking and access to excellence.
Strengthening and fostering human capital development in the region.
Promoting the establishment of open, inclusive, and responsible national research and innovation ecosystems.
Supporting institutional reform through the development of inclusive gender equality plans.
Supporting evidence-based policy making in R&I.
Projects should facilitate increased participation of entities from enlargement countries in European funding programmes.
Creating economies of scale, complementarity, and synergies, while avoiding overlapping actions.
Supporting implementation of people-to-people cooperation projects, including partnerships between higher education institutions and creative industries.
Strengthening links with EU partners and opening EU networks.
Improving research and innovation management capacities in enlargement countries.
Supporting national policy reforms through targeted actions, including Smart Specialisation Strategies and macro-regional strategies.
Compliance & Special Requirements
Regulatory Compliance
Projects must ensure compliance with all applicable EU and national regulatory frameworks.
The legal and financial setup of grants is governed by specific rules detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Ethical Standards
Adherence to high ethical standards is mandatory, including the development and implementation of inclusive gender equality plans in line with Horizon Europe and ERA objectives.
Promotion of open, inclusive, and responsible national research and innovation ecosystems is expected.
Data Protection and Privacy
Compliance with relevant data protection and privacy regulations is required (e.g., GDPR, if applicable).
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property policies are outlined in the specific Model Grant Agreement (MGA) that will be used for the grant.
Risk Management
Projects should implicitly incorporate risk management strategies as part of their operational capacity and implementation plans.
Special Considerations
Strategic focus: This grant specifically targets 'Widening countries' (EU enlargement countries) to enhance their participation and integration into the European R&I landscape.
Alignment with regional strategies: Projects should align with and build synergies from initiatives such as the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the Growth Plan for Moldova, and the Ukraine Plan.
Policy reform: The action supports national policy reforms, with a key element being support for the development and implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies and macro-regional strategies, often in cooperation with the JRC and the Policy Support Facility.
Ecosystem development: Emphasis on strengthening R&I ecosystems, improving technology transfer processes, and fostering networking.
Cross-cutting themes: While not explicitly separated, gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability are embedded within the expected outcomes and scope, notably through the requirement for gender equality plans and contributions to sustainable growth and climate action.
Grant Details
research
innovation
policy making
widening
enlargement countries
eu integration
capacity building
technology transfer
human capital
education
digital transformation
green deal
smart specialisation
western balkans
moldova
ukraine
r&i ecosystems
governance
gender equality
institutional reform
economic growth
social impact
coordination action
Support for R&I policy making in the EU enlargement countries
Grants8