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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal under HORIZON-MSCA-2027-CITIZENS-01-01 must deliver an engaging, high-visibility public event combining the European Researchers’ Night with sustained year-round educational immersion through Researchers at Schools. Success hinges on actively involving MSCA and Horizon Europe researchers, equipping them with practical science communication skills, and structuring hands-on STEAM experiences that demystify research and break gender stereotypes. Given the country-based portfolio selection, applicants must showcase strong local and regional footprint, clear European identity, and targeted outreach to non-traditional audiences.
Organisation of the European Researchers’ Night, including events lasting up to two days (last Friday of September and following day) and optional pre- and post-events.
Implementation of the Researchers at Schools initiative, bringing classes to research facilities and researchers to schools or educational centres.
Implementation of European Researchers’ Night activities combining education and entertainment (exhibitions, experiments, science shows, simulations, debates, games, quizzes) and engagement with educational institutions.
Highlighting the European Researchers’ Night as a European and Europe-wide event and promoting the European Union, EU-funded research, and its impact on daily life.
Delivering Researchers at Schools activities (presentations, discussions, citizen science, science shows, visits) and providing science communication training to participating researchers.
Dedicated promotion towards schools and pedagogical centres, and involving Horizon Europe/MSCA-funded researchers.
Promoting gender balance, diversity, and inclusiveness in science across planned activities and involved researchers.
Establishing partnerships and coordination at regional, national, or cross-border levels to ensure balanced geographical spread and explore synergies with the Science Comes To Town initiative.
For researchers: Enhanced opportunities to interact with citizens and local, regional and national authorities.
For researchers: Improved communication skills and competences to interact with a non-research audience, notably with pupils and students.
For organisations: Increased reputation and visibility of participating organisations in terms of hosting excellent research projects towards the general public and possible future students.
For organisations: Researchers’ work made more tangible, concrete, accessible, and thus opening research and science to all.
For organisations: Improved outreach to all audiences across Europe, and notably those who do not have an easy access to science and research activities.
For organisations: Better communication of R&I results and activities to society, increased and strengthened opportunities for citizens’ engagement.
Enhance engagement with citizens on R&I;
Increase awareness among the general public of the importance and benefits of R&I, especially EU-funded research, and its concrete impact on citizens’ daily life;
Contribute to the diffusion and the promotion of excellence research projects across Europe and beyond by reaching citizens in as many participating countries as possible;
Raise the interest of young people in science and research careers;
Support school teachers and educators by showcasing real-life applications of research projects and creating a learning opportunity for pupils through a direct interaction with researchers.
No EU policy alignment identified for this call.
Specific requirements
Topic-specific consortium
Many CSA topics require a broader consortium than the general-annex minimum. The call-specific Eligibility and admissibility conditions override the general annex.
Restricted beneficiary type
Many CSA calls are reserved for specific beneficiary types (national funding agencies, research infrastructures, standards bodies). Check the call.
Coordination/support activities only
CSA funds coordination, networking, policy support, dissemination, training. Not research activities per se.
Gender Equality Plan
GEP eligibility criterion applies to public bodies, research organisations, higher education institutions from MS/AC.
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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.
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.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: Activities carried-out in non-associated third countries are not eligible for funding.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the widest geographical coverage with events and activities held in as many eligible countries as possible, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to each application that is highest ranked per country based on where the coordinator is established (including trans-national consortia), provided that the applications attain all thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible costs may take form of lump sum contributions as stipulated in Decision of 11 March 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions and unit contributions for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under the Horizon Europe Programme.
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 CSA) For Information only. You must use the form that you can download in the process of submitting the application once the Call is open.
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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
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
Evaluators will strictly evaluate proposals against the dual-pillar mandate: a two-day European Researchers' Night (with optional pre/post-events) and structured 'Researchers at Schools' outreach. They will scrutinize the capacity to reach underserved or disengaged audiences, the quality of science communication training provided to participating researchers, and the direct engagement of Horizon Europe/MSCA grantees. Note the specific portfolio balancing rule: grants will be awarded to at least the highest-ranked proposal per country based on the coordinator's location, provided thresholds are met. Lump-sum feasibility and clear, verifiable work package breakdowns within the €350,000 envelope will be paramount.
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 | |||
| SC1Organisation of the European Researchers’ Night, including events lasting up to two days (last Friday of September and following day) and optional pre- and post-events. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Implementation of the Researchers at Schools initiative, bringing classes to research facilities and researchers to schools or educational centres. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Implementation of European Researchers’ Night activities combining education and entertainment (exhibitions, experiments, science shows, simulations, debates, games, quizzes) and engagement with educational institutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Highlighting the European Researchers’ Night as a European and Europe-wide event and promoting the European Union, EU-funded research, and its impact on daily life. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Delivering Researchers at Schools activities (presentations, discussions, citizen science, science shows, visits) and providing science communication training to participating researchers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Dedicated promotion towards schools and pedagogical centres, and involving Horizon Europe/MSCA-funded researchers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Promoting gender balance, diversity, and inclusiveness in science across planned activities and involved researchers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Establishing partnerships and coordination at regional, national, or cross-border levels to ensure balanced geographical spread and explore synergies with the Science Comes To Town initiative. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1For researchers: Enhanced opportunities to interact with citizens and local, regional and national authorities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2For researchers: Improved communication skills and competences to interact with a non-research audience, notably with pupils and students. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3For organisations: Increased reputation and visibility of participating organisations in terms of hosting excellent research projects towards the general public and possible future students. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4For organisations: Researchers’ work made more tangible, concrete, accessible, and thus opening research and science to all. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5For organisations: Improved outreach to all audiences across Europe, and notably those who do not have an easy access to science and research activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO6For organisations: Better communication of R&I results and activities to society, increased and strengthened opportunities for citizens’ engagement. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Involvement of Horizon Europe and MSCA-funded researchersInvolvement of researchers funded by Horizon Europe or previous Framework Programmes, notably by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, is highly encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Promotion of gender balance, diversity, and inclusiveness in scienceBoth the European Researchers' Night and Researchers at Schools initiative should promote gender balance, diversity and inclusiveness in science in terms of planned activities and researchers involved. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Synergies with the Science Comes To Town initiativeWhere appropriate, synergies should be sought with the newly created Science Comes To Town initiative, implemented through Work Programme Annex 11, Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Promotion of Open Science and Responsible Research and InnovationMSCA and Citizens actions should promote Open Science and Responsible Research and Innovation alongside gender balance and inclusiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Regional, national, and cross-border coordination to avoid overlapsPartnerships and coordination at regional, national or cross-border levels will be strongly encouraged aiming at a good geographical spread and avoiding overlaps. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Science communication training for researchersWhere appropriate, researchers should receive training ahead of the activities on science communication, especially targeting a young audience. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Enhance engagement with citizens on R&I; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Increase awareness among the general public of the importance and benefits of R&I, especially EU-funded research, and its concrete impact on citizens’ daily life; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Contribute to the diffusion and the promotion of excellence research projects across Europe and beyond by reaching citizens in as many participating countries as possible; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Raise the interest of young people in science and research careers; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Support school teachers and educators by showcasing real-life applications of research projects and creating a learning opportunity for pupils through a direct interaction with researchers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| No underlying policies in this call. | |||
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.
Topic-specific consortium
Many CSA topics require a broader consortium than the general-annex minimum. The call-specific Eligibility and admissibility conditions override the general annex.
Restricted beneficiary type
Many CSA calls are reserved for specific beneficiary types (national funding agencies, research infrastructures, standards bodies). Check the call.
Coordination/support activities only
CSA funds coordination, networking, policy support, dissemination, training. Not research activities per se.
Gender Equality Plan
GEP eligibility criterion applies to public bodies, research organisations, higher education institutions from MS/AC.
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.
The evaluation applies a strict portfolio balancing rule awarding grants to the highest-ranked proposal per country based on the coordinator's location. Your primary competition is domestic, not European. Consortia must strategically select their coordinating institution to optimize their chances in highly competitive national landscapes.
Source: Evaluation pre-award
A winning proposal cannot solely focus on a single event. Evaluators expect a multi-year architecture covering two successive editions (2028 and 2029) that equally balances the two-day European Researchers' Night with sustained, year-round Researchers at Schools activities.
Source: Scope
The maximum EU contribution is strictly capped at €350,000, and exceeding this will trigger a penalty under the implementation criterion. Because the call explicitly encourages additional sources of funding, proposals that demonstrate secured co-financing will have a distinct competitive edge in demonstrating feasibility and scale.
Source: Scope
Do not treat this solely as an event management grant. The scope dictates that participating researchers must receive science communication training prior to their public interventions. You must design and budget a dedicated capacity-building work package specifically targeting MSCA and Horizon Europe grantees.
Source: Scope
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Primary, secondary, and vocational students targeted for STEAM career inspiration, hands-on experimentation, and breaking gender stereotypes around researchers.
Citizens of all ages and backgrounds, specifically families and communities with low prior exposure to science and EU-funded research.
Educators seeking real-world R&I applications, pedagogical tools, and direct connections to research institutes to enrich classroom teaching.
Participating researchers receiving science communication training and direct platforms to showcase their research to societal actors.
Local governments, educational boards, and civil society organisations supporting public engagement with science and science policy dialogue.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Substantially increases pupil interest and self-efficacy towards scientific education and careers through direct dialogue with diverse researcher role models.
Elevates citizen awareness and trust in scientific inquiry, specifically highlighting the societal return on EU research investments and regional MSCA excellence.
Empowers a substantial cohort of MSCA and Horizon Europe researchers with sustainable public outreach and pedagogical communication capabilities.