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Strategic Analysis
This call offers a critical opportunity for individual pan-European Research Infrastructures (RIs) to strategically evolve, ensuring their long-term sustainability and enhanced relevance. A winning proposal must articulate a clear vision for strengthening the RI's operational, financial, and scientific foundations, while significantly broadening its user base and international reach. Emphasis should be placed on concrete actions that lead to a more robust, accessible, and impactful European RI landscape, directly addressing EU policy priorities and global competitiveness.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
enlargement of the membership or broadening of the base of participating countries, notably widening countries and candidate countries;
addressing critical aspects raised following an assessment or monitoring exercise, e.g. in the context of ESFRI activities;
reinforcing international cooperation;
revision of business/funding plan;
development of managerial and technical skills for research infrastructure staff;
structuring and strengthening of national/thematic nodes;
extension of remote and/or virtual access;
management of research data according to the FAIR principles;
reorientation or evolution of the research infrastructure scope;
development, update and or implementation of impact assessment of the research infrastructure.
better structured and strengthened European research infrastructure landscape;
new services available to a wider user community, including participants in other parts of Horizon Europe, allowing to better tackle scientific and societal challenges;
increased capacity to address EU policy priorities and/or socio-economic challenges;
reinforced global competitiveness of the European Research Area;
reduction of environmental (including climate-related) impacts as well as optimisation of resource and energy consumption integrated through the full life cycle of research infrastructures;
increased long-term sustainability of European research infrastructures.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
highRegulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe as the EU's framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It defines the programme's overarching objectives, structure (Pillars, Missions, Partnerships), funding instruments, and general rules for participation, aiming to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases and foster competitiveness.
Proposals must demonstrate full compliance with the Horizon Europe Regulation, including its general objectives, ethical principles, and rules for participation. Evaluators expect proposals to articulate how they contribute to the broader strategic goals of Horizon Europe, such as achieving scientific excellence, fostering innovation ecosystems, and addressing EU strategic priorities like digital transformation and strategic autonomy.
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
highCouncil Decision (EU) 2021/764 establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe, detailing the specific objectives, budget breakdown, and broad lines of activities for each pillar and cluster, including the 'Digital, Industry and Space' cluster. It provides more granular guidance on the types of research and innovation activities to be supported within the broader Horizon Europe framework.
Proposals should clearly align with the specific objectives and expected impacts outlined in the Specific Programme Decision for the relevant cluster (e.g., Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space'). Evaluators will look for how the project contributes to the detailed work programme priorities and expected outcomes, demonstrating a clear understanding of the strategic direction for space research and innovation within Horizon Europe.
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
highThis regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare.
Evaluators will look for clear financial planning, cost-efficiency analysis, and compliance with EU financial rules, particularly in demonstrating the economic viability and sustainability of the proposed AI solutions.
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
mediumThis Decision, adopted on 7 July 2021, authorises the use of lump sum contributions as a simplified funding option under the Horizon Europe Programme. It aims to reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries by shifting the focus from detailed cost reporting to the achievement of agreed-upon results and deliverables, thereby simplifying financial management and increasing efficiency.
Proposals referencing this Decision should clearly indicate if they intend to use lump sum funding and, if so, provide a robust justification for the proposed lump sum amount. Evaluators expect to see a clear methodology for achieving the defined results, a detailed breakdown of activities linked to deliverables, and a convincing demonstration of value for money, ensuring that the lump sum is fair and reasonable for the expected outcomes.
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).
ESFRI Landmark or ERIC beneficiary required
Proposals must include as beneficiary at least one of the ESFRI Landmarks (for which, if not an ERIC or international European research organisation, the beneficiary must be the legal entity hosting the infrastructure in the lead country) or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs, where for a distributed ERIC the ERIC itself must be the beneficiary).
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout 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.
2. Eligible Countries — 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 .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — The following additional eligibility criteria apply: Due to the scope of this topic, proposals must include at least one of the ESFRI Landmarks[[See the list of ESFRI 'Landmarks' in the 2021 ESFRI Roadmap on https://roadmap2021.esfri.eu/ For ESFRI Landmarks that are not an ERIC or an international European research organisation, the beneficiary must be the legal entity hosting the infrastructure in the lead country (such legal entity is a minimum requirement to become an ESFRI Landmark).]] or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs)[[ European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) | European Commission (europa.eu) ]] as beneficiary. Such beneficiaries, and the research infrastructure(s) that they operate, must be explicitly identified in the proposal. For distributed ERIC the ERIC must be the beneficiary. described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf ]]. The funding rate is 80% of the eligible costs. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
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 RIA, IA) Standard application form (HE CSA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Standard evaluation form (HE CSA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Lump Sum MGA Framework Partnership Agreement FPA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) /!\ Topic HORIZON-INFRA-2026-DEV-01-03: Do not use the general templates available on this portal for your Detailed budget table. You must download the specific templates for this topic directly from the submission platform. Information on financial support to third parties (HE) Information on clinical studies (HE) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 3. Research Infrastructures HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that:
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 | |||
| SC1enlargement of the membership or broadening of the base of participating countries, notably widening countries and candidate countries; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2addressing critical aspects raised following an assessment or monitoring exercise, e.g. in the context of ESFRI activities; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3reinforcing international cooperation; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4revision of business/funding plan; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5development of managerial and technical skills for research infrastructure staff; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6structuring and strengthening of national/thematic nodes; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7extension of remote and/or virtual access; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8management of research data according to the FAIR principles; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9reorientation or evolution of the research infrastructure scope; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10development, update and or implementation of impact assessment of the research infrastructure. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1better structured and strengthened European research infrastructure landscape; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2new services available to a wider user community, including participants in other parts of Horizon Europe, allowing to better tackle scientific and societal challenges; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3increased capacity to address EU policy priorities and/or socio-economic challenges; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4reinforced global competitiveness of the European Research Area; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5reduction of environmental (including climate-related) impacts as well as optimisation of resource and energy consumption integrated through the full life cycle of research infrastructures; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO6increased long-term sustainability of European research infrastructures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Management of research data according to FAIR principlesProposals should focus on activities critical for sustainability, including the management of research data according to the FAIR principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Reinforcing international cooperationProposed actions should focus on activities aimed at reinforcing international cooperation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Broadening membership to widening and candidate countriesActivities may aim at enlargement of the membership or broadening of the base of participating countries, notably widening countries and candidate countries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Complementarity with Horizon Europe partnerships and SRIAsDue attention should be given to related EU initiatives, strategies, and priorities, and where relevant, to complementarity with activities in other parts of Horizon Europe, such as addressing SRIAs of Horizon Europe partnerships. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Synergies with previous or current EU grants (INFRADEV, INFRATECH)Proposals should explain concrete complementarities and synergies with previous or current EU grants, notably under the research infrastructures part of the Horizon Europe work programme (e.g., INFRADEV and INFRATECH grants). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Liaison with other relevant ESFRI and ERIC initiativesApplicants should consider the ESFRI Landscape Analysis and liaise during the action with other relevant ESFRI/ERICs to ensure complementarity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Greening of technologies and methodologiesSpecific attention should be given, where relevant, to the greening of technologies and methodologies used by the research infrastructure. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Interaction with industry and SMEs for innovation ecosystemsSpecific attention should be given to interaction with industry/SMEs, fostering the innovation potential of the infrastructures, and their integration into local, regional, and global innovation ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1he framework programme 2021/695Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe as the EU's framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It defines the programme's overarching objectives, structure (Pillars, Missions, Partnerships), funding instruments, and general rules for participation, aiming to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases and foster competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2he specific programme decision 2021/764Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe, detailing the specific objectives, budget breakdown, and broad lines of activities for each pillar and cluster, including the 'Digital, Industry and Space' cluster. It provides more granular guidance on the types of research and innovation activities to be supported within the broader Horizon Europe framework. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu financial regulation 2024/2509This regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare. | · | · | 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).
ESFRI Landmark or ERIC beneficiary required
Proposals must include as beneficiary at least one of the ESFRI Landmarks (for which, if not an ERIC or international European research organisation, the beneficiary must be the legal entity hosting the infrastructure in the lead country) or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs, where for a distributed ERIC the ERIC itself must be the beneficiary).
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