The newly adopted Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2026 and 2027 allocates €14 billion to support research and innovation that delivers on the EU’s goals to build a more sustainable, competitive and resilient Europe.
REA will manage almost half of the available indicative budget for 2026, with a strong emphasis on boosting global leadership in R&I especially through investment in research careers and infrastructure.
For example, the new Choose Europe for Science initiative, part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), pledges €50 million to attract, support and retain global talent, while the Research Infrastructures part allocates €50 million to improve transnational access and training.
Reflecting the European Commission's priority to streamline EU procedures, the 2026 Work Programme also introduces several important measures to make applications faster and simpler than ever before.
Scroll below to discover REA’s Horizon Europe programmes for 2026 and how to apply.
Culture, creativity and inclusive society
Budget: €298.5 million - One call for proposals with three destinations will be launched on 12 May 2026
We are looking for social scientists that create innovative solutions to the most pressing societal challenges: supporting post conflict democracy and reconstruction, tackling child poverty, preserving European cultural and creative content in the era of AI.
How to apply | Save the date for the Info Day: 26 March 2026
Civil security for society
Budget: €129.5 million - One call for proposals with five destinations will be launched on 6 May 2026
The newly available funding will support projects aimed at improving protection of EU citizens against crime and terrorism, managing EU external borders effectively, improving preparedness and disaster risk awareness and developing common security solutions and innovative go-to-market strategies.
How to apply | Save the date for the Info Day: 6 March 2026
Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment
Budget: €676.4 million | Apply for 7 calls for proposals with 57 topics
We are looking for projects on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation, a sustainable use of natural resources, polar observations, sustainable agriculture, food waste prevention, the health of our oceans, and more.
There are single-stage and two-stage calls with deadlines closing between April and November 2026.
The topics under this programme are divided into seven destinations:
- Biodiversity and ecosystem services – Call opens on 12 February 2026
- Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption – Call opens on 14 January 2026
- Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors – Call opens on 12 February 2026
- Clean environment and zero pollution – Call opens on 12 February 2026
- Land, oceans and water for climate action – Call opens on 12 February 2026
- Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities – Call opens on 14 January 2026
- Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal – Call opens on 14 January 2026
How to apply | Register for the dedicated Brokerage event (21 January 2026) and Info Days (22-23 January 2026)
Funding opportunities on EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”
Budget: €81 million | Apply for two calls for proposals with 6 topics
New funding is available for research on the impact of farming practices on soil health, citizen involvement in land management, soil salinity, and the development of soil-health data interfaces. Additionally, the EU will support living labs to improve soil health.
There is one single-stage call and one two-stage call, both opening in February 2026.
How to apply | Follow the EU Missions Info Days (20-21 January 2026) and Brokerage event (28-29 January)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Budget: €1.25 billion
Under MSCA, the European Commission funds R&I projects to boost researchers’ careers through doctoral and postdoctoral programmes and collaborative R&I projects. The newly available funding for 2026 is divided into:
- MSCA Staff Exchanges - promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among academic and industrial organisations across borders through research projects. Call for applications will open on 16 December 2025.
- MSCA COFUND - allowing research organisations to create new or strengthen existing doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, with the goal of recruiting researchers and attracting international talent. Call for applications will open on 16 December 2025.
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - supporting experienced researchers to acquire new skills, develop their careers and gain international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral experience by working abroad. Call for applications will open on 9 April 2026.
- MSCA Doctoral Networks - supporting the recruitment and training of doctoral candidates in academia and other sectors, including industry, businesses, and public administrations. Call for applications will open on 28 May 2026.
- Choose Europe for Science – this initiative, which had its first call in October 2025, is designed to make research careers in Europe more attractive by offering excellent working conditions and long-term prospects. Call for applications will open on 8 December 2026.
Widening participation and spreading excellence
Budget €416.5 million I Six calls for proposals will be launched between January and September 2026
The EU will fund projects that support beneficiaries from countries with a lower performance in research and innovation (so-called Widening countries) to improve their R&I capacity, and to ensure that the benefits of European research are shared more widely.
Next to well established instruments such as Twinning, ERA Fellowships, Excellent Hubs, and the Hop-on facility, the 2026 calls will include two brand new instruments:
- Teaming synergies – to foster collaboration among Teaming Centres of Excellence to support their efforts towards sustainability and increased impact at the regional, national and European level.
- Research Management Facility – to provide tailored support to institutions in Widening countries that seek to establish or upgrade their research management capacities.
How to apply | Join the info day on 22 January 2026
Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system
Budget: €52 million | Apply now for a call for proposals with 8 topics
We are looking for projects that can contribute to a more inclusive and effective European Research Area by accelerating open access and research assessment reforms; piloting innovative approaches to support academic startups and spinoffs; and fostering citizen engagement for more responsible and democratic research and innovation.
How to apply | Watch the recording of the Info Day
Research Infrastructures
Budget €294.9 million | Apply as from 10 March 2026 for a call for proposals with 12 topics
The EU will invest in projects that strengthen the human capital managing research infrastructures, advance secure and efficient data sharing, develop digital services to empower neuroscience research and contribute to the creation of digital twins allowing researchers to address major societal challenges such as health, climate change and security.
How to apply | Save the date for the info day on 18 March 2026
Horizon Europe at a glance
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation designed to boost scientific excellence, drive innovation and strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness.
It addresses major global challenges such as climate change, public health, security threats and the digital transformation.
By promoting collaboration across borders, Horizon Europe drives job creation, boosts economic growth and empowers the EU's diverse talent pool.
Between 2021 and 2027, the European Research Executive Agency is responsible for managing 23% of Horizon Europe, helping to turn innovative research ideas into concrete solutions.
Read more
How to build a successful consortium for a Horizon Europe project - European Commission
Dissemination and exploitation - European Commission
Six things you should know before applying for EU funding | LinkedIn
Details
- Publication date
- 12 December 2025
- Author
- European Research Executive Agency