ERC - Excellence Grants

The European Research Council (ERC) supports excellent researchers at different stages in their careers for groundbreaking and visionary research.

Starting Grants provide support for promising early career scientists.

Consolidator Grants provide support for researchers who want to consolidate their scientific independence.

Advanced Grants are aimed at leading and established researchers who have achieved excellent scientific results in the last 10 years.

Synergy Grants provide support to a group of 2 to 4 excellent researchers regardless of their career stage. The ambitious research project can only be implemented through the specific expertise of the group.

ERC Plus Grants provide support for outstanding researchers with bold ideas and a vision for transformative research that goes beyond the scope of existing ERC programmes.

The following apply to all ERC Research Grants:

• Pioneering research is funded
• There are no prescribed priorities or topics for project ideas: bottom up
• The only selection criteria is scientific excellence

For further information, follow the links and/or contact us

ERC - Proof of Concept Grants

ERC Proof of Concept Grants allow for verification of innovative potential of ERC project results.

O p e n:

ERC Proof of Concept Grants 2026

ERC grantees can apply for a proof of concept grant during or shortly after their ERC research grant. Regardless of the actual project costs a flat rate of 150.000 Euro is awarded. The duration can be up to a maximum of 18 months.

The next deadline is 17 September 2026.

For further information click here and/or contact us .

Support for researcher mobility and training (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral actions)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme provides funding to support doctoral education and postdoctoral training through international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral mobility in research.

The MSCA Work Programme 2026-2027 is now published:

For further information please contact us .

Cluster 1 – Health

Horizon Europe Pillar II is the political core of the framework programme containing the top-down topics in Horizon Europe. Of the six clusters, Cluster 1, Health contains the most relevant topics for the UKE. The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 has been finalised and it contains the topics with deadlines in 2026 (April) and 2027 (April with second stage in September).

O p e n:

Single-stage Topics; Deadline 16 April 2026

Destination 1 - Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society

• Behavioural interventions as primary prevention for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among young people (RIA)
• Building public trust and outreach in the life sciences (CSA)

Destination 2 - Living and working in a health-promoting environment

• Towards a better understanding and anticipation of the impacts of climate change on health (RIA)
• Towards climate resilient, prepared and carbon neutral populations and healthcare systems (RIA)
• Support for a multilateral initiative on climate change and health research (CSA)

Destination 3 - Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden

• Innovative interventions to prevent the harmful effects of using digital technologies on the mental health of children and young adults (RIA)
• Advancing research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of post-infection long-term conditions (RIA)
• Development of novel vaccines for viral pathogens with epidemic potential (RIA)
• Multisectoral approach to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases: implementation research maximising collaboration and coordination with sectors and in settings beyond the healthcare system (GACD) (RIA)
• Understanding of sex and/or gender-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases: determinants, risk factors and pathways (RIA)
• Scaling up innovation in cardiovascular health (CSA)

Destination 4 - Ensuring equal access to innovative, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare

• Public procurement of innovative solutions for improving citizens' access to healthcare through integrated or personalised approaches (PPI)
• Identifying and addressing low-value care in health and care systems (RIA)

Destination 5 - Developing and using new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society

• Integrating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and regulatory testing (RIA)
• Pilot actions for follow-on funding: Leveraging EU-funded collaborative research in regenerative medicine (IA)
• Support to European Research Area (ERA) action on accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance biomedical research and testing of medicinal products and medical devices (CSA)
• Establishing a European network of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Advanced Therapies Medicinal Products (ATMPs) (CSA)

Destination 6 - Maintaining an innovative, sustainable, and competitive EU health industry

• Regulatory science to support translational development of patient-centred health technologies (RIA)

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2027

2027– Topics opening in February 2027 | Single-stage topics, deadlines 16 April 2027

Destination 1 - Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-STAYHLTH-01: Addressing disabilities through the life course to support independent living and inclusion (RIA)

Destination 2 - Living and working in a health-promoting environment

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-ENVHLTH-02: Integrating climate-related exposures into the human exposome and characterising its changes in response to climate change (RIA)

Destination 3 - Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-05: Development of novel small molecule antiviral therapeutics for pathogens with epidemic potential (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-06: Development of monoclonal antibodies to prevent and treat infections from Flaviviruses (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-07: Development of monoclonal antibodies to prevent and treat infections from Filo-, Nairo-, Phenui-, Picorna- and Toga viruses (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-08: Development of innovative antimicrobials against pathogens resistant to antimicrobials (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-10: Prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases in children and young people (GACD) (RIA)

Destination 4 - Ensuring equal access to innovative, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-CARE-02: Personalised approaches to reduce risks from Adverse Drug Reactions due to administration of multiple medications (RIA)

Destination 6 - Maintaining an innovative, sustainable, and competitive EU health industry

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-IND-01: Development of cell-free protein synthesis platforms for discovery and/or production of biologicals (RIA)

Two-stage topics, deadline 16 April 2027 (second stage 22 September 2027)

Destination 3 - Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-DISEASE-01-two-stage: Innovative healthcare interventions for non-communicable diseases (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-DISEASE-14-two-stage: Clinical trials for advancing innovative interventions for neurodegenerative diseases (RIA)

Destination 5 - Developing and using new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-TOOL-01-two-stage: Development of predictive biomarkers of disease progression and treatment response by using AI methodologies for chronic non-communicable diseases (RIA)

Destination 6 - Maintaining an innovative, sustainable, and competitive EU health industry

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-02-IND-02-two-stage: Portable and versatile Point-of-care diagnostics (IA)

SEPTEMBER 2027

Single-stage topics |deadline on 22. September 2027

Destination 5 - Developing and using new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society

• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-02: Advancing bio-printing of living cells for regenerative medicine (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-04: Virtual Human Twins (VHTs) for integrated clinical decision support in prevention and diagnosis (RIA)
• HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-08: Towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for healthcare (CSA)

Other clusters and programme parts with health aspects

In addition to the topics under Cluster Health, there are topics among the other clusters and programme parts of Horizon Europe that relate to health and that are thence relevant to the UKE.

The Work Programmes 2026-2027 have now been finalised and contain the topics to be published in 2026 and 2027. If you would like further information, contact us.

Mission Cancer

Horizon Europe has five missions with the aim of finding solutions to greater challenges. EU Mission: Cancer addresses the topic of cancer and its objectives are understanding, prevention and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients and their families. The 2026/ 2027 Work Programme Missions has now been finalised. It contains the topics with deadlines in 2026 (April) and 2027 (September).

Deadline: 15 September 2026

• Virtual Human Twin (VHT) Models for Cancer Research
• Microbiome for early cancer prediction before the onset of disease
• Pragmatic clinical trials to optimise immunotherapeutic interventions for patients with refractory cancers
• Earlier and more precise palliative care
• Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors through the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre (ECPDC)
• Development of a research capacity building programme on cancer with and for Ukraine
• Improve the Quality of Life of older cancer patients

Deadline: 21 September 2027 (opening in early 2027)

• Leveraging functional genomics to reveal novel targets for cancer treatment
• Clinical research by Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures for the benefit of patients with common cancers
• Phase 1 including first-in-human clinical trials to test biomarker-guided medicines or multimodal treatment interventions for patients with rare or very rare cancers or cancer subtypes
• Improving equitable health outcomes and added value for and with cancer patients through health-economics research, health systems research and outcomes research
• Precommercial procurement of affordable solutions for healthcare systems in the areas of cancer technologies, cancer medical devices, or cancer medicine
• Support a Young Cancer Survivor Quality of Life (QoL) research programme by cancer charities and funding agencies

For further information, follow the links and/or contact us .

Mission Adaptation to Climate Change

Horizon Europe has five missions with the aim of finding solutions to greater challenges. The Mission Adaptation to Climate Change is to support at least 150 European regions and communities towards climate resilience by 2030. It focuses on helping these regions and local authorities to understand climate risks, develop adaptation pathways and implement innovative solutions.

The European Commission has now published the 2026/ 2027 Work Programme Missions. It contains the topics with deadlines in September 2026.

Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) JU Calls

The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is a private-public partnership that offers funding for health research and innovation. Projects include both academic and industry partners and should address public health needs, improve the lives of patients and boost the competitiveness of Europe’s health industries.

O p e n:

IHI Call 12 | full proposal deadline 21 April 2026

The Call 12 text has now been finalised: IHI call 12 | IHI Innovative Health Iniative :

Applicants are invited to explore IHI projects as part of an applicant-driven approach that address a topic based on the five priorities of the IHI Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda .

• Topic 1 (SO1): Boosting innovation for a better understanding of the determinants of health
  
• Topic 2 (SO2): Boosting innovation through better integration of fragmented health R&I efforts
• Topic 3 (SO3): Boosting innovation for people-centred integrated healthcare solutions
• Topic 4 (SO4): Boosting innovation through exploitation of digitalisation and data exchange in healthcare
  
• Topic 5 (SO5): Boosting innovation for better assessment of the added value of innovative integrated healthcare solutions
  

For further information, visit the IHI-Website and /or contact us .

European Innovation Council (EIC)

The EIC supports breakthrough innovations throughout the lifecycle from early stage research, to proof of concept, technology transfer, and the financing and scale up of start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises.

The EIC Work Programme 2026 is now published:

O p e n:

EIC Pathfinder Open | Deadline 12 May 2026

The EIC Pathfinder Open has no predefined topics and funds consortia to perform breakthrough research from any field of science or technology. EIC Pathfinder Open supports early stage development of such future technologies from laboratory to prototype (e.g., various activities at low Technology Readiness Levels(TRL) 1 to 4).

Main points:

• Consortia can apply: at least three independent legal entities from three different Member Statesor Associated Countries
• The recommended budget per proposal is up to EUR 4 million (larger if justified)
• Bottom up approach
• Application procedure is one stage

F o r t h c o m i n g:

EIC Transition | Deadline 16 September 2026

The EIC Transition programme funds innovation activities that go beyond experimental proof of principle. Both maturation and validation of novel technologies from laboratory to application in the relevant environment, and the development of a business case and business model towards the innovation’s future commercialisation are supported.

Main points:

• Proposals must build on the results of eligible EU-funded projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or 4
• Single applicants or multi-beneficiary small consortia (maximum 5 partners) can apply
• Open call without any predefined thematic priorities
• The recommended budget range per proposal is up to EUR 2.5 million
• Project duration of 1 to 3 years
• The application procedure is one-stage, the evaluation process two-stage: evaluation by EIC expert evaluators and, if successful, an interview with the EIC jury members.

EIC Pathfinder Challenges | Deadline 28 October 2026

The EIC Pathfinder Challenges funds cutting edge projects that address one of the four three challenges in predefined areas of emerging and strategic technologies.

• Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
• Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems
• DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems

Main Points:

• Single applicants or consortia can apply
• The recommended budget per proposal is up to EUR 4 million (larger if justified)
• The application procedure is one-stage

For further information, follow the links and/or contact us .

EU4HEALTH PROGRAMME

The EU4Health Programme is the fourth EU Health Programme and runs from 2021 to 2027.

It complements measures taken by the member states to make health systems stronger, more resilient and more accessible. As soon as the Work Programme 2026 is published, we will let you know. Further information is available from the German NKS EU4HEALTH information page:

EU4HEALTH-Hintergründe und Allgemeines

For further information, follow the links and/or contact us .

COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology

COST actions support networks for innovative research activities in Europe.

The main points of the call:

• Funding for network activities regarding research topics that you are free to choose
• To be eligible, a consortium needs to be comprised of at least seven COST members or cooperating members, at least 50% of which need to be from Inclusiveness Target Countries. Participants from non-EU countries are eligible
• The duration of a COST-Action is 4 years
• One-stage application
• The next deadline for submission is in October 2026.

For further information, follow the links and/or contact us .

European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth)

The European Partnership for Brain Health has the common goal of developing and improving scientific knowledge as a foundation to promote brain health throughout the lifetime.

O p e n:

Two Calls for Proposals for Multinational Translational Research Projects :

• Call 1: Biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan – in the field of neurological, mental and sensory disorders
• 
  Call 2: Biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan – in the field of neurodegenerative disorders

The deadlines for the second stage are on 30 June 2026 2 pm CEST.

Pandemic Preparedness (BE READY Now) Partnership

BE READY (Building a European strategic Research and innovation Area in Direct Synergy with EU and international initiatives for pandemic preparedness) is a project funded under Horizon Europe designed to improve the EU’s preparedness to predict and respond to emerging infectious health threats.

O p e n:

Joint Transnational Calls - BE READY PLUS.

Main points:

• Research projects with a duration of up to 36 months
• Better understanding of the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens
• Elucidating the pathophysiology induced by these pathogens
• Developing innovative medical countermeasures

A recording of an Information Webinar is available and the deadline for the first stage proposal is on 13 April 2026.

European Partnership on Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed)

EP PERMed is a coordination platform that brings together European as well as international, national and regional ministries and funding organisations, agencies and authorities, joining forces on several levels and sectors.

Joint translational calls are expected to be published at the end of the year. Stay posted for opportunities: Calls - European Partnership for Personalised Medicine - EP PerMed

European Partnership on Chemical Risk Assessment (PARC)

PARC aims to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment to protect human health and the environment. It supports the European Union's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green Deal's “Zero pollution” ambition with new data, knowledge, methods and tools, expertise and networks.

Stay posted for funding opportunities: Opportunities | Parc

European Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance JTC 2026

The European Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (EUP OHAMR) provides joint support to research and innovation and mobilises numerous stakeholders to address the challenges of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with a One Health approach.

O p e n:

Joint transnational call 2026 - EUP OHAMR

Main Points:

• Explore new treatments to tackle AMR
• Consortia made up of three to six partners (seven under certain conditions) from the participating countries
• Address one of three specified topics covering innovation and cost-effective treatment options

Slides are available from a Webinar for Applicants and the deadline for the second stage is 17 June 2026 (13:00 CEST).

European Research Area 4HEALTH (ERA4HEALTH) Partnership

O p e n:

Trials4Health: Multi-country Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular, Autoimmune and Metabolic diseases

Main Points:

• Randomised interventional multi-country Investigator-Initiated Clinical Studies that are designed as pragmatic comparative-effectiveness studies and/or drug repurposing studies
• Transnational collaboration between clinical/public health research teams
• High public relevance in at least one of these specific diseases or conditions
• Consortia size ranges depending on national regulations of countries involved

A recording of an informative session is available and the deadline for the second stage is on 17 June 2026.

Prevent-OO: Understanding and Preventing Overweight and Obesity - Mechanisms of their onset and progression, neglected determinants and novel strategies for critical transitional periods in life

Main points:

• Reducing the burden of overweight and obesity in Europe
• Multidisciplinary proposals addressing at least one of two specified subtopics
• Minimum of three and a maximum of five eligible partners from at least three different countries participating in the call (more under specific circumstances)
• Excluded: clinical studies Phase 3 and 4 and Studies solely addressing target groups aged from 12 to 25 years

Slides from an Information Day are available and the deadline for the second stage is on 11 June 2026 12:00 CEST.