International Research Funding Circular – 11 September 2026

Please see the latest European and International research funding information, event and opportunity updates.

News

 

1. NEW: Coimbra Group and European research and university organisations call for at least €200 billion for Horizon Europe: https://www.coimbra-group.eu/coimbra-group-and-european-research-and-university-organizations-call-for-at-least-e200-billion-for-horizon-europe/

A coalition of leading European research organisations is urging EU policymakers to make research and innovation a top budget priority for 2028-2034 by increasing Horizon Europe funding to at least €200 billion, ensuring stable long-term investment, maintaining balanced support across the innovation lifecycle, agreeing the budget in time for a 2028 launch, and boosting both EU and national R&D spending to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and prosperity.

Events

 

2.  NEW: N8 lunchtime webinar: sustaining international research collaborations: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/25917b2d-1195-48ab-8881-07fb3c83c127@bdeaeda8-c81d-45ce-863e-5232a535b7cb

The international research funding landscape can be complex to navigate. Have you ever wondered how academics secure funding from philanthropic organisations? Would you like to know more about the challenges and how the application process differs to government funded grants? Join this webinar  from experienced academics from the universities of Leeds and Lancaster. The webinar will include two presentations and time for Q&A.

 

3. NEW: Horizon Europe Cluster 1 Health & Cancer Mission: Brokerage Event (28 Sept, Brussels) + EU Cancer Mission Showcase (29 Sept – 1 Oct, Brussels): https://www.b2match.com/e/cluster-health-mission-cancer-brokerage/components/70921/info

Various Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) are organising a brokerage event in Brussels on 28 September which covers some of the Cancer Mission Call topics (from the 2027 Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme ) and Cluster 1 Health Call topics (from the 2027 Horizon Europe Health Work Programme). The event will start with keynote speeches as well as an overview of call topics. There will then be three pitching sessions (on Healthcare Innovations, Clinical Trials and Digital Health & AI call topics) followed by bilateral meetings (up to 7 meetings per person) and drinks.  The brokerage event on 28 September takes place just one day before the European Commission’s flagship EU Cancer Mission Showcase event (29 September to 1 October 2026) bringing together key stakeholders from across Europe working on cancer research, innovation, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and health systems. It is therefore an excellent opportunity to establish new contacts, discuss project ideas, and identify partners before engaging with the wider Cancer Mission community.

 

4. NEW: Online Training – UKRI’s 1 Hour Introduction to Horizon Europe: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/events/introduction-to-horizon-europe-2026/

Register for this one-hour UKRI webinar if you are based in the UK and would like to gain a general understanding of the opportunities offered by Horizon Europe and the basics about how to explore these opportunities further for yourself. Upcoming dates: 23 September, 29 October, 26 November and 16 December 2026.

5. NEW:  Series of European Commission webinars

A series of free online European Commission Horizon Europe webinars will take place between September and November, providing practical guidance on finding funding opportunities, proposal submission, grant preparation, project management, and lump sum funding. The sessions are aimed at researchers, research support staff, and project teams looking to strengthen their understanding of Horizon Europe processes and maximise their success in European funding programmes.

• European Commission Webinar on “Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe” (24 September, 8.30-11.30am UK time, remote only, no need to register)

• European Commission Webinar on “Grant Agreement Preparation in Horizon Europe” (8 October, 8.30-11:45am UK time, remote only, no need to register)
• European Commission Webinar on “Grant Management in Horizon Europe” (15 October, 8:30am-noon UK time, remote only, no need to register)

• European Commission Webinar on “Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal?” How to write a proposal?” This is aimed at applicants and beneficiaries who are or will be involved in lump sum grants (12 November, 9-11am UK time remote only, no need to register)

 

6. EDI in Research Funding Applications – Register Now!

Do you want to feel more confident addressing EDI in research funding and fellowship applications? Our workshop EDI in Research Funding Applications helps you to understand how EDI can be embedded into research design and your funding applications.

 You can choose from:

• 24^th September 10:00-12:30
• 2^nd February 2027 13:00 – 15:30

These sessions are on campus.

 Bookings are open and spaces limited – book your space now: https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2744

 

7. Free Horizon Europe Webinar Sessions September 2026: https://freewebinars.europamediatrainings.com/2026-september

Europa Media Training are offering two free webinars in September:

• AI in Horizon Europe Proposal Writing: Benefits, Pitfalls and Lessons Learned, 21 September 2026 , 11:00 CET (10:00 UK time)

With Ömer Ceylan, Managing Director of Geonardo, explore where AI can genuinely support proposal development, where caution is needed and what lessons the Horizon Europe community has learned so far.

• Grant Writing for Young Researchers: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and ERC Starting Grants, 23 September 2026 , 11:00 CET  (10:00 UK time)

Join Paolo Simonelli, European partnerships and innovation projects manager, for practical insights into what evaluators look for, how proposal writing differs from academic writing and how to shape a convincing project idea.

 

You can register to attend here.

 

8. CURRENT MSCA FELLOWS: Invitation to join 76th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting (Physiology/Medicine) in Summer 2027: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/apply-now-to-attend-the-76th-lindau-nobel-laureate-meeting-physiologymedicine

The call for applications is open to current MSCA fellows, whose grant will still be running when the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (2 July 2027) takes place. Only early career stage doctoral candidates and postdoctoral scientists (i.e. up to 5 years of postdoctoral experience), not yet holding an independent group leader position, can apply to join a unique week of scientific exchange, inspiration, and networking through lectures, panel discussions, and small-scale discussion sessions. The submissions deadline is 4 October 2026 13:00, CEST.

 

9. KETs2026 reloaded, 24 September 2026 (online)

To pave the way for the up-coming Horizon Europe Calls (cluster 4 (industry, digital), cluster 5 (batteries, hydrogen) and the industry-related topics of cluster 6), the German National Contact Point Digital and Industrial Technologies (NCP DIT) in close partnership with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) partners Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and Grand Est Développement , French National Contact Points (NCPs) at Bpifrance , the NCP networking projects NCP4Industry Plus and Idealist2027 , and the EEN Networks, offer this unique matchmaking event. 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)

Long-term matchmaking from September 24, 2026 until end of January 2027. Registration: Home | KETs2026 reloaded

 

10. ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 Webinar, 30 September 2026, 10:00 to 12:00 UK time: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/erc-consolidator-grant-2027-webinar/

The overall aim of this webinar is to provide participants with detailed, practical information about the ERC Consolidator Grant scheme. It will cover information on the submission process, how proposals are evaluated and other elements you’ll need to consider when designing a project for your research excellence idea.  Attendance will be free of charge, but registration for the webinar is required.

11. Kick-off event of the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage, 29 September 2026 at Mucem – Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (1 Esplanade J4), Marseille, France and online: https://www.heritageresearch-hub.eu/event/european-partnership-for-resilient-cultural-heritage-to-have-its-kick-off-event-in-september-2026/

The Marseille event will mark the start of a decade-long initiative focused on improving the structuring and coordination of research at the nexus of cultural heritage and climate change, across Europe but with a global perspective. Registration is free of charge, but places may be limited for in-person participation. We therefore encourage you to register as early as possible. You can find more details at this link. Event details will be updated as more information becomes available.

 

 

European related funding

12. NEW:  New Horizon Europe Nature & Biodiversity Calls Expected in October 2026 https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/horizon-europe-2026-27-horizontal-actions-transformative-change-towards-a-nature-positive-economy-and-society/

The European Commission is planning to publish an updated version of the Horizon Europe Horizontal Work Programme in early October, which will have additional new Horizontal (cross-cutting) calls on Nature and Biodiversity.

 

13. NEW: Springboard research grants with France, Germany & Spain: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/springboard-2026-research-grants-france-germany-spain

The Springboard 2026 Research Grants with France, Germany & Spain programme offers grants of up to £10,000 to support collaborative research partnerships between UK institutions and partners in France, Germany, or Spain, with a particular focus on early-career researchers and the development of joint funding proposals and publications. Deadline: 30 September 2026.

 

14. NEW: Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027: novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture): https://www.biodiversa.eu/2026/06/09/2026-2027-joint-call/

This funding opportunity allows UK based researchers to collaborate with international partners and submit joint application to the Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027 joint funding opportunity Novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture). Transnational research consortia must include team members from a minimum of three countries financially participating in the funding opportunity, including at least two different EU member states or Horizon Europe associated countries. The full economic cost (FEC) of the total requested budget from all UK partners on a project can be up to £375,000. Applications are via Biodiversa+ as the UK component funding is through NERC, please see NERC call for additional details. Deadline: 10 November 2026.

 

15. Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah Opens 2026 Call for Projects: https://www.fondationshoah.org/recherche/proposer-un-projet-commission-histoire-de-lantisemitisme-et-de-la-shoah

The Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah has launched its 2026 call for projects, supporting research and related activities on antisemitic persecution, the Holocaust, and other twentieth-century genocides. Funding is available for conferences, publications, archives, and library projects, with a focus on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. No maximum award value is specified. Deadline: 1 November 2026.

 

16. Applications Open for the 2026 H&M Foundation Global Change Award: https://hmfoundation.com/gca/

The award is seeking ideas focused on responsible production, mindful consumption, sustainable materials and processes, and other bold, disruptive concepts. Ten winners will each receive €200,000, along with access to a year-long Changemaker programme delivered in partnership with Accenture and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Deadline: 2 October 2026.

 

17. €96 Million Available for New EU Cybersecurity Projects: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme

The call, DIGITAL-ECCC-2027-DEPLOY-CYBER-11, provides funding across seven topics aimed at improving cybersecurity technologies, resilience and preparedness across Europe. The opportunities will be of particular interest to research and technology organisations, universities, public authorities, cybersecurity companies and SMEs working on cybersecurity technologies, AI, critical infrastructure and digital resilience. Eligibility and funding conditions vary between topics. Deadline: 14 January 2027

 

18. NWO/ZonMw Vidi Round 2026 Now Accepting Pre-proposal: https://www.nwo.nl/calls/nwo-talentprogramma

The NWO Talent Programme Vidi 2026 call is now open for preliminary applications, providing support for researchers who are ready to develop innovative research lines and establish or expand their own research groups. The scheme has a total budget of €65.45 million, with applicants able to request up to €850,000 for projects lasting up to five years. The programme is open to researchers who obtained their PhD within the last eight years. Deadline: 3 November 2026

 

19. Merck Future Insight Prize Sets 2027 Focus on Robotic Scientists: https://www.merckgroup.com/en/research/open-innovation/futureinsightprize_streaming.html

Global nominations are invited for a €1 million research award with an annual thematic focus. For the 2027 award, the specified focus is ‘AI-empowered robotic scientist’. The call is framed around the identification of ground-breaking scientific technologies and the development of key products intended to support future societal needs. The winner receives the Future Insight Prize trophy and is expected to deliver keynote lectures at forthcoming Future Insight Conferences. In addition, the award includes a research grant of €1 million. Deadline: 31 December 2026.

 

20. MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Handbook and Submission Guide published: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA DN) 2026 Handbook and Submission Guide are now available on the NCP portal under Handbooks for MSCA. Applicants can access the Doctoral Networks Handbook Call 2026 and the Doctoral Networks Submission Guide 2026 for detailed guidance on preparing and submitting proposals.

 

21. EIC to revamp Pathfinder and Transition grant schemes in 2027: https://sciencebusiness.net/sites/default/files/inline-files/2026.07.07%20EIC%20WP2027_seconddraft.pdf

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is proposing significant changes to its funding landscape for 2027, with updates to the Pathfinder and Transition schemes and the introduction of new challenge areas aimed at accelerating breakthrough research and innovation. Key highlights from the draft EIC 2027 Work Programme include:

 

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

• Breakthroughs in Advanced Materials for Future Resilient, Sustainable, and Efficient Energy Grids
• Safe and Controlled Continual Learning in Open World for Reliable AI Agents (CLOWAI)
• Quantum Energetics

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges- Pilot

• Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AIPowered Robotics
• Translating Disruptive New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into Practice

EIC Accelerator Challenges

• Advanced in-situ Ocean Observation Technologies for Scalable, High-Resolution Marine Monitoring
• Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
• Alternative Concepts and Key Enabling Technologies for Fusion Power Plants
• Carbon removal and circularity for climate change mitigation and EU industrial resilience

 

22. Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call Pre-Announcement: https://www.water4all-partnership.eu/joint-activities/water4all-2026-joint-transnational-call-pre-announcement

The Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call focuses on Sustainable Water Management (excluding extreme events and circularity), invite proposals that address critical challenges related to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), River Basin Management, Groundwater Management, Water Resilience, Integrated Water Monitoring and data management, Water-positive solutions. The UK is confirmed as a partner, though the details of how much funding is available per call is not yet known. A general and informative webinar dedicated to the international researchers’ community and presented in English will be organised on 17^th September 2026 (14:00-1600 CEST) to answer your questions regarding the call. You can register with the following link. Call deadline: 10 November 2026

 

23. Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) Rolling Transnational Access Call to Research Infrastructures 2026–2028: https://bluepartnership.eu/funding-opportunity/sustainable-blue-economy-partnership-rolling-transnational-access-call-research

The Call offers pan-European access to a portfolio of over 60 marine and maritime Research Infrastructures across the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea – including research vessels, fixed and mobile platforms, analytical laboratories, high-performance computing and digital facilities, portable equipment and virtual access to data infrastructures. Applications are welcome on a rolling basis, with the next cut-off date set for 20 October 2026 – 11:00 CEST.

 

24. SPRIND Opens Next Frontier Robotics Challenge: https://www.sprind.org/en/actions/challenges/next-frontier-robotics

A call intended to deliver breakthroughs in next-generation robotics hardware and intelligent, multi-purpose robotic systems in Europe. The Challenge focuses on modular and interoperable technologies that can operate autonomously in complex, unstructured and changing real-world environments.

Two tracks are available. Track 1, Integrated Platforms, supports development of fully integrated, modular and multi-purpose robotic systems that combine hardware, sensors and software into stable architectures for autonomous execution of complex physical tasks. Track 2, Hardware Components, supports development of high-performing robotic components and associated software drivers designed for integration into third-party robotic systems. The Challenge runs for approximately three years and is divided into four stages. SPRIND plans to provide up to €7.2 million per team across the full Challenge, with stage allocations varying by track. Deadline 22 October 2026.

25. NOW OPEN: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2026: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

MSCA Doctoral Networks fund doctoral programmes, consisting of a European consortium recruiting up to 15 PhD studentships, designed to respond to identified needs in various research and innovation areas. MSCA Doctoral Networks design doctoral programmes to develop entrepreneurial, innovative doctoral candidates. The aim is to equip these candidates with the right combination of research-related and transferable competencies, enhancing their career perspectives both within and outside academia. The funded Doctoral Networks will hold open recruitment procedures throughout the course of the maximum 48-month project and the recruited candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the MSCA Work Programme. Please reach out to jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk if interested with the next annual deadline 24 November 2026.

26. COST Actions Networking Grants Open for 2026: https://www.cost.eu/how-to-apply/

The 2026 COST Actions call is open to researchers from academia, industry, SMEs and public organisations to establish international research networks in any scientific or technological field. COST funds networking activities such as workshops, conferences, training schools and research visits, rather than research itself. Successful Actions typically receive around €150,000 in the first year and €180,000 per year for the following three years, with up to 80 new COST Actions expected to be funded in this round. Deadline: 28 October 2026.

27. Launch of Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Call 13: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/ihi-call-13

The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) has launched Call 13, inviting innovative solutions across three topics: boosting health innovation through a network; using AI to reduce animal use in drug safety studies; and decoding diseases related to ageing and the immune system. A total budget of €84,824,750 is available for projects tackling these issues within IHI public-private partnerships; €53.2 million from Horizon Europe, €27,196,000 from IHI’s industry members and €4,428,750 from IHI contributing partners. Call 13 is a two-stage call. Short proposal submission deadline: 08 October 2026.

28. Horizon Europe – FINAL Work Programmes 2026-27 published

The European Commission has published the final versions of the 2026-27 call topics for all the clusters and missions and a number of the other main funding instruments (to download work programmes see here: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/horizon-europe-work-programmes_en ). For convenience, we have put together summary tables of all call topic titles in the ​​ linked Excel spreadsheet​​​ ​which has been updated to reflect the final work programmes – please use these to browse any topics that are of interest to you and that you may be able to contribute to (if you have looked at earlier versions, please check in case of changes). Once you have identified a topic(s) of interest, please search their call reference within the relevant full Work Programme PDF for full details. Many of the 2026 call topics have deadlines in March-April with some later around September — while we advise you to already start taking action for the 2027 calls. [For reference, you can find historic and future draft work programmes at: https://sciencebusiness.net/horizon-papers] They include:

• Cluster 1 – Health: FINAL
• Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society: FINAL
• Cluster 3 – Civil security for society:  FINAL
• Cluster 4 – Digital, industry, space: FINAL
• Cluster 5 – Climate, energy and mobility: FINAL
• Cluster 6 – Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment: FINAL
• Missions: FINAL
• New European Bauhaus Facility: FINAL
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: FINAL
• European Research Council: 2026 (2027 is expected around May 2026)
• European Innovation Council: FINAL
• European Innovation Ecosystems: FINAL
• WIDERA (Widening, European Research Area): FINAL
• Research infrastructures: FINAL
• Horizontal activities: FINAL

For reference: General Introduction and General Annexes

**Please do reach out to the Research Funding Development team for support: jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk or sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk**

 

29. Opportunities for Researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in Horizon Europe: https://horizoneuropencpportal.eu/sites/default/files/2026-01/ssh-opportunities_2026-27_final.pdf

A guide that maps all Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) funding opportunities for 2026–2027, including an in‑depth analysis of SSH‑relevant topics across the entire Work Programme has been released.