ATHENA Grant & Support Office

NEWS

MSCA: Research Talent is Europe’s Strategic Advantage

Coimbra Group and other leading organisations in the research and higher education sector present a joint statement on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), one of the most effective instruments of the Framework Programme to support researchers, strengthen...

Council agrees its position on Horizon Europe 2028-2034

The Council has agreed on a partial negotiating position for the Horizon Europe regulation and its specific programme, which together form the EU’s tenth framework programme for research and innovation. As a core part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF),...

Six new Project Proposals selected for Inclusion in the ESFRI Roadmap 2026

After a year-and-a-half period of hard work and a rigorous evaluation process, the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) proudly announces the approval of six new Project proposals for inclusion in the ESFRI Roadmap 2026. ESFRI...

Science Europe Supports New Instrument for Collaborative Bottom-up Research in Horizon Europe 2028–2034

Bottom-up, curiosity-driven research is the fundament on which long-term strategic competitiveness and breakthrough innovation are built. Science Europe is therefore pleased to see momentum towards a new instrument for supporting this under the next Framework...

EIC Board Statement on Transforming the European EnergySystem by Accelerating the Deployment of Deep Tech

The EIC Board has called for faster deployment of European deep tech solutions to strengthen the continent’s energy resilience, arguing that Europe’s long-term energy advantage will depend on scaling home-grown innovation. In a new statement published on 24 June 2026,...

Implementing research assessment reforms

This study provides an evidence-informed baseline assessment of progress in reforming research assessment under the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA), as implemented by its signatories - many of whom are members of the Coalition for Advancing Research...

Commission opens call for evidence on European Partnerships to be implemented as joint undertakings

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on European Partnerships to be implemented as joint undertakings under Horizon Europe 2028-2034. To strengthen the impact of European Partnerships, the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal suggests streamlining...

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 Western Balkans
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-VIRT-EXCH-WB
04 Dec 202526 Nov 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

Shaping the AI frontier: key takeaways from the EDIH Summit 2026

The discussion on Artificial Intelligence in Europe has now clearly moved from policymaking to implementation. With the AI Act now in force, the focus of the EDIH Summit 2026 (Strengthening the AI Innovation Ecosystem, held on 9–10 June at The SQUARE in...

Info session From lab to market Strengthening the role of Technology Transfer Offices , 18/06/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPunYwYPmOU&t=1s

European Innovation Ecosystems Online Info Session – 18 June 2026

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/b23ff330-be79-e2eb-04a4-a47d8b49f1e8

Launch of the 2026 Call for Expressions of Interest of the JRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP)

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) launches the 2026 Call for Expressions of Interest under the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) programme, which will take place on 23 June 2026 in Brussels. The event will present the details of the call...

Conference Collaborate for Impact: Advancing European Digital Education and Skills

The European Commission invites participants to join this European Digital Education Hub (EDEH) flagship event to exchange, collaborate, and help shape the future of digital education and skills in Europe. The event represents an important space for European experts...

AI Act webinar

A webinar on artificial intelligence will take place on 23 June 2026. The webinar is organised by the European IP Helpdesk, together with the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, economies...

COST info day

The Online COST Info Day will take place on 16 June 2026. The online information session is open to all researchers and innovators at any career stage. Its aim is to inform the research community about how to get involved in COST Actions, the role and impact of the...