ATHENA Grant & Support Office

NEWS

Knowledge valorisation in higher education

Knowledge valorisation still needs a whole-of-institution approach, rather than isolated actions, according to a report from the Community for Educational Innovation (CEI). With over 1,400 members from 96 countries, CEI acts as a platform for peer learning and policy...

EC presents proposal for EU Inc

On 18 March 2026, the European Commission presented its proposal for EU Inc., a new single set of corporate rules, building the cornerstone and starting point for the EU's 28th regime. EU Inc. is an optional, digital-by-default European corporate framework. It is...

ERA-LEARN provides infographic on Partnerships

To supplement the existing graphic on the Horizon Europe Partnership Portfolio, ERA-LEARN has published a new Partnership Timeline graphic. The infographic provides an overview of all European Partnerships in Horizon Europe, showing their runtime in relation to that...

ITRE Committee presents draft reports on FP10 proposal

On 13 March 2026, Rapporteur MEP Christian Ehler presented his draft report on the future Horizon Europe Regulation, and Rapporteur MEP René Repasi tabled a draft report on the Specific Programme for the implementation of Horizon Europe at the European Parliament. The...

ESFRI sets out new strategic vision and priorities for Europe’s research infrastructures

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) has released a new paper that explains its strategic role and sets out its priorities for the future, responding to the fast changes in Europe’s research and innovation infrastructure landscape. Drawing...

Open letter by regional associations calls for strengthening smart specialisation in next MFF

A number of regional associations and organisations have signed an Open Letter on the future of Smart Specialisation under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The letter is addressed to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. The...

Commission announces second wave of Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission has unveiled a second wave of Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs), extending the initiative to more territories and confirming its growing appeal across the EU. The scheme aims to boost innovation, economic cohesion and inclusive growth, helping...

ATHENA FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR

Erasmus +

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in Neighbourhood East

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-NE

04 Dec 202526 Nov 2026
Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in South Mediterranean Countries

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SMC

04 Dec 202526 Mar 2026
Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in Western Balkans

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB

04 Dec 202526 Nov 2026
Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges in Sub-Saharan Africa

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-SSA

04 Dec 202526 Mar 2026

Horizon Europe 2021-2027

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
EIC STEP Scale Up

HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP

06 Nov 202525 Nov 2026

Open for SMEs-Innovators-Students

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
EIC Accelerator 2026 – Short proposal

HORIZON-EIC-2026-ACCELERATOR-01

06 Nov 202517 Dec 2026

EVENTS

Energy Poverty Advisory Hub Annual Conference

The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub annual conference will take place on 17 and 18 March 2026 in Athens, Greece. Hosted by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, in collaboration with the City of Athens and EPAH, and...

Horizon Europe info days – Cluster 2 Culture, creativity and inclusive society: Presentations available

2026 Topic video presentations Please watch the pre-recorded presentations of the call topics linked below. Destination 1: Democracy Video | Presentation slides Destination 2: Cultural Heritage Video | Presentation slides Destination 3: Transformations Video |...

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...

Online Info Session: Centres of Vocational Excellence 2026

The Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) are the pillars of excellent vocational education in Europe. They provide high quality vocational skills in specific areas for initial training of young people as well as for continuing up-skilling and...

Online Info Session: New Erasmus+ scholarships Call for Proposals

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-SSEF - Policy experimentation: Erasmus+ scholarships  Funding: EUR 5 million Who can apply? higher education institutions, public and private organizations active in the field of education and training, research and innovation or in the...

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. ...