Loading…
Strategic Analysis
This flagship Co-funded European Partnership requires a pan-European alliance of national research funders, SSH research institutions, and policy authorities to pool at least €200M total budget (with €60M EU contribution at a 30% co-fund rate) over a 7–10 year horizon. Winning demands establishing robust joint transnational calls via Financial Support to Third Parties (up to €3M per third party) directly targeted at modernising social protection, the future of work, and just green transitions. The winning consortium will demonstrate deep alignment with the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and seamless governance bridges with initiatives like CHANSE, NORFACE, and DUT.
Supporting the modernisation of social protection systems and essential services
Shaping the future of work
Fostering education and skills development
Contributing to a fair transition to climate neutrality
Collect data and evidence to measure social transformations, drawing from a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods in the social sciences and humanities, and use these to inform the development of evidence-based public policies and strategies.
Promote comparative studies to identify and share best practices and failures at regional, national and EU level.
Construct new, innovative ways to connect researchers with policymakers, stakeholders, citizens and social innovators in working together, communicating needs and results.
Develop social and individual experimentations at all levels (subnational, national, European) to better understand the impact of social transformations and public policies.
Encourage the development of new analytical, methodological and epistemological tools to better understand social transformations and resilience.
Build capacity among the R&I community and policymakers to adjust and strengthen social infrastructures and services in light of unexpected shocks.
Research funders, policymakers and research communities in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) are provided with a multi-annual R&I programme on social transformations and resilience, responding to megatrends like climate change and biodiversity loss, digitalisation, demographic changes and unexpected shocks.
Research investments on social protection and essential services, future of work, education and skills, and a fair transition to climate neutrality are increased.
Stakeholders, including social partners and civil society, and policymakers are provided with evidence-based knowledge, tools and innovative solutions, which contribute to new policies and strategies for strengthening resilience, fairness, inclusiveness and social cohesion at European, national and regional level.
Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability
Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively
The European Pillar of Social Rights, and its Action Plan with its three ambitious targets (78% employment rate, 60% of population with yearly training, and reduction of the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030)
the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets
The Union of Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda)
the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan
The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card
The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action
The EU’s just transition policy framework, in line with the 2040 Climate Target Plan, including the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, and the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality
The new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU.
The European Child Guarantee
The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income
The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health
The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation.
European Pillar of Social Rights
highThe European Pillar of Social Rights is a set of 20 principles aimed at delivering fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems in the EU. It covers areas such as equal opportunities, fair working conditions, and access to essential services, including health and long-term care. The Pillar serves as a compass for EU social policy and is implemented through initiatives like the European Care Strategy.
Evaluators expect proposals to demonstrate how they contribute to the Pillar’s principles, particularly those related to access to quality and affordable health care (Principle 16) and long-term care (Principle 18). Proposals should show how they address inequalities in care delivery and ensure that solutions are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the Pillar’s social objectives. Evidence of stakeholder involvement and policy relevance will strengthen the proposal.
Union of Skills
highThe Union of Skills initiative and European Skills Agenda set strategic frameworks to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and social fairness through lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling. They focus on preparing the workforce for twin green and digital transitions.
Evaluators seek concrete mechanisms addressing skills shortages, future labor market dynamics, and the implementation of inclusive training models tailored to evolving employment landscapes.
EU Anti-Poverty Strategy
highEU anti-poverty policies and targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan aim to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. They promote comprehensive measures covering social safety nets, integrated active inclusion, and equal access to essential services.
Evaluators expect proposals to directly tackle systemic drivers of poverty, evaluating social protection systems and designing scalable social interventions that support vulnerable populations.
Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025
highThe EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 frames the Commission's work towards a Union of Equality, focusing on ending gender-based violence, challenging gender stereotypes, closing gender gaps in the labour market, and achieving equal participation across sectors.
Evaluators expect robust gender mainstreaming throughout the project design, including intersectional gender analysis of social transformations, gender-disaggregated data, and balanced representation in research leadership.
Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action
highThis Commission Communication provides policy tools to address the challenges and opportunities of population ageing, shrinking workforces, and regional demographic divergence across European member states and regions.
Evaluators expect proposals to articulate how research frameworks address demographic shifts, support active ageing and intergenerational fairness, and counteract regional brain drain and depopulation.
Just Transition Mechanism
highThe Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind. It provides financial and technical support to regions, industries, and workers facing socio-economic challenges due to the green transition, particularly those reliant on fossil fuels.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to a just transition, particularly by addressing the social and economic impacts of decarbonization on vulnerable communities and workers. This could include reskilling initiatives, economic diversification, or measures that ensure access to affordable, clean energy for all, especially in regions undergoing significant structural change.
Social Climate Fund
highThe Social Climate Fund (SCF) is a key component of the Fit for 55 package, designed to support vulnerable households, micro-enterprises, and transport users most affected by the introduction of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS 2) for buildings and road transport fuels. It aims to mitigate the social impacts of the green transition.
Proposals should clearly articulate how their solutions can contribute to the objectives of the Social Climate Fund, for example, by developing measures that directly benefit vulnerable households, reduce their energy bills, improve energy efficiency in their homes, or facilitate access to cleaner mobility solutions, ensuring a just transition.
Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality
highThis Council Recommendation provides concrete guidance to Member States on designing comprehensive policy packages to ensure that green transition policies do not deepen social inequalities, addressing employment, tax-benefit systems, and access to essential services.
Evaluators look for analytical models and policy toolkits that support governments in mitigating distributional regressivity and ensuring equitable transitions across diverse socioeconomic groups.
Pact for European Social Dialogue
highThe Pact for European Social Dialogue is an institutional commitment between the European Commission and European social partners to reinforce bipartite and tripartite social dialogue, negotiation capacities, and collective bargaining across the Union.
Evaluators expect proposals to engage cross-sectoral social partners (trade unions and employers' organisations) directly in the research governance, co-creation processes, and policy formulation.
Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU
highAdopted in 2023, this Recommendation advises Member States on strengthening national-level social dialogue, enhancing collective bargaining coverage, and improving the systematic involvement of social partners in policy design.
Evaluators assess whether proposals incorporate institutional social dialogue frameworks and demonstrate methods for enhancing social partners' capacity to respond to labor market disruptions.
Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income
highThis Recommendation guides Member States on modernising minimum income schemes to combat poverty and social exclusion while promoting sustainable labor market integration, emphasizing adequacy, coverage, and transparent take-up.
Evaluators look for assessments of social safety net adequacy, coverage gaps, and recommendations reconciling income support with effective activation measures.
EU Green Deal
mediumThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being.
Evaluators will look for proposals that demonstrate how the project contributes to sustainable food production, reduces environmental footprints, and promotes equitable access to healthy diets, particularly in vulnerable groups.
European Research Area (ERA)
mediumThe European Research Area (ERA) is the unified, shared research area across the EU that promotes the free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology. It aligns national research policies and coordinates European R&I priorities, infrastructure, and mobility.
Evaluators look for alignment with ERA Policy Agenda actions, strong transnational research coordination, open science practices, and synergies between national and EU-level research funding architectures.
European Education Area (EEA)
mediumThe European Education Area aims to foster quality, inclusive education and lifelong learning across member states by removing learning mobility barriers and modernising educational frameworks. It focuses on digital and green skills, educator competencies, and educational equity.
Evaluators expect evidence of how research activities and outcomes connect to educational and training ecosystems, supporting inclusive upskilling and the reduction of educational inequalities across socio-demographic groups.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise 17 global goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity and justice for all by 2030. They provide an integrated, global framework uniting environmental sustainability with socio-economic well-being.
Evaluators expect projects to map their expected outcomes explicitly to relevant SDGs (such as SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 8 Decent Work, and SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities) with measurable social indicators.
European Affordable Housing Plan
mediumThe European Affordable Housing Plan addresses the housing affordability crisis across Europe by supporting investment, social housing development, and regulatory reforms. It targets energy efficiency, homelessness prevention, and affordable living conditions for vulnerable and middle-income households.
Evaluators look for structural analyses of housing markets, energy poverty links, and innovative policy recommendations that integrate affordable housing models with broader social resilience mechanisms.
Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
mediumThe Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. It focuses on accessibility, independent living, non-discrimination, and equal access to democratic processes, employment, and education.
Evaluators look for explicit methodologies ensuring that democratic innovations, digital participation tools, and civic engagement platforms are fully accessible. Proposals should address barriers to political participation (such as voting accessibility) faced by persons with disabilities.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
mediumThe UNCRPD is an international human rights treaty that obligates state parties and the EU to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by all persons with disabilities. It covers non-discrimination, accessibility, personal mobility, and inclusive employment.
Evaluators expect proposals involving vulnerable groups to demonstrate rigorous adherence to human-rights-based models of disability, ensuring participatory methodologies and universal design throughout all activities.
Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence
mediumDirective (EU) 2024/1385 establishes common EU rules to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, criminalising specific forms of physical, psychological, and cyber violence while strengthening victim protection and support access.
Evaluators assess whether proposals addressing social vulnerability, gender equity, or social safety nets integrate protection frameworks against gender-based violence and adhere to strict safeguarding and ethical protocols.
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
mediumThe EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 sets out measures to combat individual, structural, and institutional racism across Europe through policy mainstreaming, law enforcement cooperation, national action plans, and targeted equality initiatives.
Evaluators look for an intersectional approach in socio-economic resilience research, explicitly addressing systemic discrimination, racial disparities, and fair inclusion across societal institutions.
Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
mediumThis framework establishes a comprehensive 10-year plan to promote equality, socio-economic inclusion, and political participation for Roma communities across the EU, with quantitative targets for reducing poverty, education gaps, and housing segregation.
Evaluators look for targeted approaches that engage marginalized Roma communities directly, incorporating community co-design and measurable contributions toward overcoming structural discrimination.
LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
mediumThe LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 outlines EU actions to tackle discrimination, ensure safety, build inclusive societies, and lead the call for LGBTIQ equality globally across employment, health, and civil rights.
Evaluators expect proposals examining social vulnerability, labor markets, or public services to integrate non-discrimination and specific vulnerability assessments relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
2040 Climate Target Plan
mediumThe 2040 Climate Target Plan proposes an intermediate EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, bridging the path between the 2030 goals and 2050 climate neutrality.
Evaluators seek clarity on how proposed social transformations will interact with ambitious decarbonization trajectories, identifying social bottlenecks and distributional consequences of accelerated climate targets.
European Child Guarantee
mediumThe European Child Guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing children in need effective and free access to key services, including early childhood education, healthcare, nutrition, and adequate housing.
Evaluators expect evidence of how research analyses child poverty dimensions, evaluates national action plan implementations, and informs targeted policy designs that protect vulnerable children.
Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health
mediumThis Communication sets out a broad EU strategy putting mental health on par with physical health across 20 flagship initiatives, integrating mental well-being into employment, education, and digital policies.
Evaluators look for holistic approaches examining the psychosocial dimensions of work, social precarity, and digital transitions on population mental health and community resilience.
Pact on Asylum and Migration
mediumThe Pact on Asylum and Migration establishes a comprehensive European legal and policy framework for migration, asylum management, border procedures, and fair solidarity mechanisms among Member States.
Evaluators expect proposals examining migration to address societal integration pathways, socio-economic resilience, and fair labor market inclusion of migrants and refugees.
European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882)
lowThe European Accessibility Act establishes legally binding common EU accessibility rules for key products and services, including computers, operating systems, ATMs, banking services, and e-commerce. It seeks to remove barriers created by divergent national rules for persons with disabilities.
Evaluators expect compliance with harmonised accessibility requirements for any digital tools, platforms, or services researched or developed in the project, ensuring universal design and compliance with Directive (EU) 2019/882.
European Disability Card
lowThe European Disability Card framework guarantees mutual recognition of disability status across EU member states for short-term stays, ensuring equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment in services, transport, and cultural activities.
Evaluators evaluate whether solutions addressing social mobility, inclusion, and cross-border participation consider mutual recognition schemes and facilitate seamless, equitable access across borders.
Financial Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509
lowThe revised EU Financial Regulation sets the general financial rules applicable to the implementation of the EU budget, covering governance, transparency, sound financial management, and simplified costing rules.
Evaluators expect strict procedural compliance with financial eligibility criteria, robust consortium governance structures, and transparent resource allocation aligned with EU budgetary regulations.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
">
As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
The page limit of the Part B template of the COFUND type of action is 65 pages.
In addition, the proposal must contain additional annexes (see templates in the Submission System).
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.
Representatives of the EU institutions will be part of the evaluation committee.
In addition, as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The starting date of grants awarded under this topic may be as of the submission date of the application. Applicants must justify the need for a retroactive starting date in their application. Costs incurred from the starting date of the action may be considered eligible.
Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties (FSTP). The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants.
As a co-funded European Partnership, providing financial support to third parties is a core activity of this action in order to achieve its objectives. Consequently, the EUR 60 000 threshold laid down in Article 207 of Financial Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 does not apply. The maximum amount of FSTP that may be awarded to any single third party is set at EUR 3 million for the entire duration of the action. This ceiling is justified by the fact that FSTP is a primary activity of this action, by its expected duration of 7–10 years (exceeding a standard project lifespan), and by the extensive experience gained under predecessor partnerships. However, if the objectives of the action would otherwise be impossible or overly difficult (and duly justified in the proposal) the maximum amount may be higher.
The funding rate is up to 30% of the eligible costs.
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE COFUND)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE COFUND)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
Annual work programme (HE Cofund)
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will prioritize: 1) Partnership Commitment & Governance: Institutional commitment and co-funding firepower from national/regional ministries and funding agencies across Europe to ensure critical mass; 2) Clear Joint Transnational Call Architecture: Transparent, high-standard FSTP mechanisms capable of allocating significant multi-annual funding efficiently; 3) Science-to-Policy Uptake: Concrete experimentation spaces, policy living labs, and capacity-building protocols ensuring SSH evidence directly informs EU and national strategies (such as the Social Climate Fund and European Child Guarantee); 4) Methodological Innovation: Novel SSH analytical tools, comparative cross-national metrics, and longitudinal tracking of societal resilience.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Supporting the modernisation of social protection systems and essential services | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Shaping the future of work | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Fostering education and skills development | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Contributing to a fair transition to climate neutrality | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Collect data and evidence to measure social transformations, drawing from a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods in the social sciences and humanities, and use these to inform the development of evidence-based public policies and strategies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Promote comparative studies to identify and share best practices and failures at regional, national and EU level. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Construct new, innovative ways to connect researchers with policymakers, stakeholders, citizens and social innovators in working together, communicating needs and results. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Develop social and individual experimentations at all levels (subnational, national, European) to better understand the impact of social transformations and public policies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Encourage the development of new analytical, methodological and epistemological tools to better understand social transformations and resilience. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10Build capacity among the R&I community and policymakers to adjust and strengthen social infrastructures and services in light of unexpected shocks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Research funders, policymakers and research communities in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) are provided with a multi-annual R&I programme on social transformations and resilience, responding to megatrends like climate change and biodiversity loss, digitalisation, demographic changes and unexpected shocks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Research investments on social protection and essential services, future of work, education and skills, and a fair transition to climate neutrality are increased. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Stakeholders, including social partners and civil society, and policymakers are provided with evidence-based knowledge, tools and innovative solutions, which contribute to new policies and strategies for strengthening resilience, fairness, inclusiveness and social cohesion at European, national and regional level. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Synergies with predecessor ERA-NETs and research networksProposals should build on the work of ERA-NETs CHANSE, as well as other relevant networks and initiatives, such as HERA and NORFACE, the Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities (T-AP) and the Joint Programming Initiative More Years, Better Lives (JPI MYBL). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Engagement with multi-sectoral and policy stakeholdersThe partnership should engage national research funding agencies, sectoral ministries (labour, social affairs, employment, climate/environment), SSH researchers, social partners, civil society/NGOs advocating for disadvantaged groups, and the private sector. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Inter- and transdisciplinary SSH approachThe partnership calls for combined inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge and resource sharing, making extensive use of social sciences and humanities (SSH) potential to build resilience, fairness, and social cohesion. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Utilization of European Research Infrastructures, EOSC, and Data SpacesApplicants are encouraged to consider services offered by EU-funded European Research Infrastructures (particularly in SSH) and leverage data and services federated under EOSC as well as relevant Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this research is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6International cooperationTo maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities, international cooperation is encouraged whenever relevant in the proposed topics. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The European Pillar of Social Rights, and its Action Plan with its three ambitious targets (78% employment rate, 60% of population with yearly training, and reduction of the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5The Union of Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI11The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI12The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI13The EU’s just transition policy framework, in line with the 2040 Climate Target Plan, including the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, and the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI14The new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI15The European Child Guarantee | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI16The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI17The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI18The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european pillar of social rightsThe European Pillar of Social Rights is a set of 20 principles aimed at delivering fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems in the EU. It covers areas such as equal opportunities, fair working conditions, and access to essential services, including health and long-term care. The Pillar serves as a compass for EU social policy and is implemented through initiatives like the European Care Strategy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2union of skillsThe Union of Skills initiative and European Skills Agenda set strategic frameworks to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and social fairness through lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling. They focus on preparing the workforce for twin green and digital transitions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu anti-poverty strategyEU anti-poverty policies and targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan aim to lift at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. They promote comprehensive measures covering social safety nets, integrated active inclusion, and equal access to essential services. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4gender equality strategy 2020-2025The EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 frames the Commission's work towards a Union of Equality, focusing on ending gender-based violence, challenging gender stereotypes, closing gender gaps in the labour market, and achieving equal participation across sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5communication on demographic change in europe: a toolbox for actionThis Commission Communication provides policy tools to address the challenges and opportunities of population ageing, shrinking workforces, and regional demographic divergence across European member states and regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6just transition mechanismThe Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind. It provides financial and technical support to regions, industries, and workers facing socio-economic challenges due to the green transition, particularly those reliant on fossil fuels. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL7social climate fundThe Social Climate Fund (SCF) is a key component of the Fit for 55 package, designed to support vulnerable households, micro-enterprises, and transport users most affected by the introduction of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS 2) for buildings and road transport fuels. It aims to mitigate the social impacts of the green transition. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL8council recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutralityThis Council Recommendation provides concrete guidance to Member States on designing comprehensive policy packages to ensure that green transition policies do not deepen social inequalities, addressing employment, tax-benefit systems, and access to essential services. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL9pact for european social dialogueThe Pact for European Social Dialogue is an institutional commitment between the European Commission and European social partners to reinforce bipartite and tripartite social dialogue, negotiation capacities, and collective bargaining across the Union. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL10council recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the euAdopted in 2023, this Recommendation advises Member States on strengthening national-level social dialogue, enhancing collective bargaining coverage, and improving the systematic involvement of social partners in policy design. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL11council recommendation on adequate minimum incomeThis Recommendation guides Member States on modernising minimum income schemes to combat poverty and social exclusion while promoting sustainable labor market integration, emphasizing adequacy, coverage, and transparent take-up. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A winning proposal must center its operational design around a robust Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) architecture. Because the standard €60,000 limit is waived to allow up to €3 million per third party, evaluators will heavily scrutinize the transparency and efficiency of your joint transnational call mechanisms. Failure to demonstrate high-standard FSTP management capable of allocating multi-annual funding will severely penalize the proposal.
Source: Eligibility rules
Securing the €60 million EU contribution requires demonstrating massive co-funding firepower from national and regional ministries to reach the €200 million total budget critical mass. Evaluators explicitly prioritize this institutional commitment and governance structure. A consortium lacking direct participation and binding financial commitments from national research funders will fail at the first evaluation hurdle.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Do not limit the proposal to traditional SSH research dissemination; evaluators demand concrete science-to-policy uptake mechanisms. You must embed policy living labs and social experimentation spaces that directly translate empirical evidence into actionable strategies for frameworks like the Social Climate Fund and the European Child Guarantee. Proposals treating policy impact as an afterthought rather than a structural capacity-building protocol will score poorly.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The evaluation criteria place a premium on methodological innovation within the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). Your research agenda must deploy novel analytical tools and comparative cross-national metrics designed for longitudinal tracking of societal resilience. Relying solely on established qualitative methods without integrating new epistemological tools to measure macro-level social transformations will result in a lower score.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Nothing to show for this call yet.