ATHENA Grant & Support Office

NEWS

Congratulations to Axelera AI, securing more than €200 million funding on global commercial growth

Today Axelera AI announced the largest investment ever in an EU AI semiconductor company, with the participation of the EIC Fund. Axelera AI is a European AI semiconductor company developing next-generation AI acceleration hardware for edge computing and...

EC report analyses role of universities in innovation ecosystems

The European Commission's Education and Culture Executive Agency (EECEA) has published a report on 'Universities in innovation ecosystems and the role of the European Universities alliances'. The report explores explore universities’ embeddedness in innovation...

MSCA4Ukraine has supported 176 doctoral and postdoctoral fellows so far

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are helping safeguard Ukraine’s research and innovation ecosystem by allowing its researchers to continue their work under the MSCA4Ukraine fellowship scheme, which is part of the wider EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine....

Toyota announces a new investment in a circular factory in Poland

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has announced the establishment of its newest Circular Factory in Walbrzych, Poland. The facility will cover 25,000 square metres and process close to 20,000 End-Of-Life vehicles every year. This investment represents another significant step...

EU and Nigeria open negotiations on a bilateral Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement

The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria opened negotiations today for a bilateral Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement. The goal is to boost cooperation on research and innovation, in line with the conclusions...

Horizon Europe: Digital — 2025 call results: 20 proposals funded

The call HORIZON-CL4-2025-04, part of Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space, closed on 2 October 2025. HaDEA has now completed the evaluation of the proposals submitted under this call. HaDEA has started grant agreement preparations with the...

Egypt participates in MSCA following its association to Horizon Europe

Egypt became an Associated Country to Horizon Europe by officially signing its Association Agreement with the EU on 22 October 2025. Its association also includes Egypt's participation in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Organisations based in Egypt can...

ATHENA FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR

EVENTS

European Innovation Council 2026 Pathfinder Challenges – Info Day

The European Innovation Council (EIC) kindly invites you to the online-only 2026 Pathfinder Challenges Info Day. It consists of a plenary session explaining the specific characteristics of EIC Pathfinder Challenge calls, and parallel sessions led by the EIC Programme...

Getting ready for the LIFE Calls for proposals 2026: save the dates

The LIFE Calls for proposals 2026 are planned to be published on 21 April 2026. CINEA will host the #EULIFE26 info days online from 28 to 30 April 2026 to support potential applicants. ...

Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal?

On 11 February 2026, the European Commission is organising an information webinar focused on the principles of lump sum funding in the Horizon Europe programme. Participants will learn how this type of funding works, how to prepare a project proposal, and what...

STOA high-level conference – Academic Freedom in Support of Democracy

STOA high-level conference - Academic Freedom in Support of Democracy Academic freedom is widely recognised as a key condition for functioning of open and democratic societies that adhere to the rule of law. Similarly, full realisation of academic freedom is unlikely...

Horizon Europe Info Days 2026 on Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space: recordings available

The Horizon Europe Info Days on Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space were held online on 29 and 30 January 2026. The event was designed to inform potential applicants about the funding opportunities available under the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme...

NEB Facility 2026 call info day

The NEB Facility 2026 call info day aims to inform (potential) applicants about the destinations and topics included in the NEB Facility 2026 call under Horizon Europe main work programme for 2026-2027 as well as the...

3rd HMH-Africa Week, Heraklion May 18-22 2026

Africa Week @ HMU continues its thematic journey in 2026, building on the discussions and partnerships initiated during AW1 (2024) and AW2 (2025). This year’s focus, “Innovation Under Constraints: How Lab to Market Succeeds (and Fails) in the...