ATHENA Grant & Support Office

NEWS

University of Kiel : €8.3 million for research data management in material research

Research data from photon and neutron experiments are to become easier to find, access and reuse in the long term. This is the aim of the “Data from Photon and Neutron Experiments for NFDI” (DAPHNE4NFDI) consortium, which has been in existence since 2021. It is one of...

GSI/FAIR: €9.7M in funding to develop materials for future fusion power plants

With funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the new project SIBAF (Supraleitender Ionenbeschleuniger als BAsistechnologie für die Fusionsforschung) will establish a unique accelerator-based infrastructure for the rapid...

ELI and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf Launched a Collaboration in Laser-Plasma Accelerator Research

The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI) and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their collaboration in laser-plasma interaction, particle acceleration using laser-produced plasmas, and related...

Study shows growing progress on research assessment reform across Europe

The European Commission has published in June 2026 an independent expert study of 42 pages offering an evidence-informed baseline assessment of progress under the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA). The report reviews how organisations that signed...

Japan officially joins Horizon Europe

As of 30 July2026, Japan is officially associated to Horizon Europe. Home to 123 million people, Japan is the most populous country associated to the programme, adding one of the world's most advanced research and innovation ecosystems to Europe's network of...

EC launches call for evidence or future EIT Regulation and Strategic Innovation Agenda (2028-2034)

The Commission has launched a call for evidence to support the revision of both the Regulation governing the EIT and the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda. The call was launched on 12 August 2026 and will be open until 23 September 2026. The consultation aims to gather...

European semester 2026: Council adopts country-specific recommendations

Today, the Council adopted its recommendations on the economic, social, employment, structural and budgetary policies of each member state, part of the 2026 European semester process. This year, the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) place...

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 Chips 2023 JU

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
Quantum Experimental Pilot Lines for Quantum Technologies
HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QEXP-14-01
13 Aug 202617 Nov 2026

Horizon Europe 2021-2027

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs (CSA)
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47
22 Sep 202602 Feb 2027
R&I Policy Support for Enlargement Countries
POLICY ENLARGE
09 Sep 202612 Nov 2026
Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Call 2026
DUT
01 Sep 202617 Nov 2026
EIC STEP Scale Up
HORIZON-EIC-2026-STEP
06 Nov 202525 Nov 2026

Horizon Europe Cluster 5

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
Africa-EU CO-FUND action on climate
HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-11
17 Nov 202604 Mar 2027

Open for SMEs-Innovators-Students

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
Third Lump Sum Micro-Grants for Members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice
SoilTribes
10 Aug 202614 Sep 2026
EIC Accelerator 2026 – Short proposal
HORIZON-EIC-2026-ACCELERATOR-01
06 Nov 202517 Dec 2026

Regional Innovation-Research-Education

Call/TopicOpenDeadline
KAVA Call 14 – RIS Innovation
EIT RM BP26-28
07 Aug 202616 Oct 2026

EVENTS

Cluster hybrid event “Talent ecosystems: building sustainable research careers”

If you are a researcher, policymaker or represent a research organisation, join the discussion on how to improve working conditions and career prospects for early-stage researchers in the European Research Area. 10 EU-supported projects will showcase their progress on...

Webinar on ERC Work Programme 2027

In this webinar, the ERC Executive Agency will guide prospective applicants through the 2027 ERC funding opportunities and explain the main changes they should be aware of. The webinar will cover: • ERC funding opportunities under the 2027 Work Programme • Grant...

Paths ahead to strengthen R&I for Europe’s competitiveness

As part of the 2026 EUA R&I Forum, this afternoon event will explore the role of research and innovation in a transforming Europe. The first panel will bring together experts from key EU institutions and R&I stakeholders, focusing on the European Research Area...

13th edition of KETs* EU Brokerage Event on Cl4-related topics in HE

Four thematic pitching sessions: manufacturing, circularity & energy-intensive industries (cluster 4) raw materials & advanced materials (cluster 4) artificial intelligence & ICT (cluster 4) energy storage (cluster 5) & bioeconomy(cluster 6)...

International Conference on Research Infrastructures

The International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI) is the flagship global forum for strategic dialogue and international cooperation on research infrastructures (RIs). It brings together scientists, policymakers, RI directors and operators, funding...

Implementation Dialogue on Attracting and Retaining Research Talent in Europe

As part of the Commission’s new approach to better implementation and simplification, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, is engaging directly with stakeholders through Implementation Dialogues....

4th European Universities Initiative Forum

The 4th Forum of European University Alliances is a high-level European higher education conference taking place on 10 July 2026 in County Kildare, under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This forum will bring together European and domestic...