The European Capital of Innovation Award

Opened

Code: 40369 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-ICAPITAL | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: European Innovation Council-EIC (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 05/05/2026 | End submission calls: 04/08/2026

The European Capital of Innovation Awards aim to champion inspiring cases of municipality-enabled innovation flourishing in cities. The Awards are a prestigious recognition for city administrators who are courageous enough to open up their governance practices to experimentation, to boost innovation by all means, to be a role model for other cities, and to push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens.

In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage.

The award will raise the profile of the cities that have developed and implemented innovative policies; established frameworks that boost breakthrough innovation; enhanced the city attractiveness towards investors, industry, enterprises and talents; helped to open up connections and strengthen links with other cities, promoting the replication of best practices in the innovation field; enhanced citizens’ involvement in the decision-making process; and supported cities resilience.

The Awards will feature two categories:

1. European Capital of Innovation 2027 category (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-ICAPITAL-01)
2. European Rising Innovative City 2027 category (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-ICAPITAL-02)

PowerUp NetZero (Powering Up Net Zero applications through the European Single Market) Open Call for Business Innovation and Technology Adoption Services

Opened

Code: 40365 | Identifier Code: PowerUp NetZero | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 21/05/2026 | End submission calls: 30/07/2026

The PowerUp NetZero Open Call for Business Innovation and Technology Adoption Services provides funding to support SMEs in their digitalisation planning activities related to net-zero technologies and applications. The call focuses on the following five Net-Zero Technologies:

• Solar energy
• Battery and energy storage
• H2 technologies
• Sustainable biogas and biomethane
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

All activities must have linkages with at least one of the project’s 5 Net-Zero Technologies (listed above). When applying to this call, SMEs must select at least one of these technologies in the application form.

COSMIC (Combined AI and Data Solutions for Large Scale Resource Optimization with Green Deal Impact) 2nd Open Call: AI & Data Solutions to Boost the Green Transition

Opened

Code: 40363 | Identifier Code: COSMIC | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 20/05/2026 | End submission calls: 20/07/2026

COSMIC is a European-funded initiative aligned with the Green Deal objectives. It aims to harness the power of AI and big data for large-scale energy resource optimisation. The project brings together a diverse consortium of large industries, research institutions, public authorities, NGOs, and SMEs to co-develop impactful, scalable digital solutions that address key sustainability challenges.

The COSMIC consortium comprises highly experienced and complementary key players across 10 European countries. The COSMIC project offers a strategic support programme designed to bring the best data/AI-based innovations into our energy resource optimisation ecosystem.

Strand II ‘Supporting access to the labour market of Roma NEETs’

Opened

Code: 40360 | Identifier Code: ESF-SI-2026-ROMA NEETs-01 | Programme name: 20859 | Start submission calls: 06/05/2026 | End submission calls: 30/09/2026

The European Commission and the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation launched a new transnational Call: ‘Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems and supporting access to the labour market for Roma NEETs’ under the European Social Fund+ Social Innovation+ initiative. Under the Strand II “Supporting access to the labour market of Roma NEETs”, the Call will aim to support transnational social experimentation projects which test innovative approaches to improve Roma NEETs’ access to employment through tailored activation strategies.

Strand I ‘Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems’

Opened

Code: 40348 | Identifier Code: ESF-SI-2026-ECG-01 | Programme name: 20854 | Start submission calls: 06/05/2026 | End submission calls: 30/09/2026

The European Commission and the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation launched a new transnational Call: ‘Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems and supporting access to the labour market for Roma NEETs’ under the European Social Fund+ Social Innovation+ initiative.

Under the Strand I “Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems”, the Call will aim to support transnational projects which aim at testing new approaches and transferring or scaling up social innovations that strengthen the governance and implementation of the European Child Guarantee, ensuring children in need have access to key services.

I3-2026-INV1 – Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1

Opened

Code: 40345 | Identifier Code: I3-2026-INV1 | Programme name: 16401 | Start submission calls: 13/05/2026 | End submission calls: 12/11/2026

Strand 1 of the I3 instrument seeks to increase the competitiveness and the resilience of EU value chains on the basis of interregional cooperation and shared smart specialisation areas.

The objective of the I3 Instrument Strand 1 call for proposals is to support interregional innovation investments by offering consortia of innovation actors from the quadruple helix ecosystems the necessary financial and advisory support to bring their innovations to a mature level, ready for scale-up and commercialisation, while bridging and reducing the innovation divide in Europe with a strong cohesion policy focus of integrating all regions and in particular the less developed regions into European value chains.

I3-2026-INV2a – Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a

Opened

Code: 40342 | Identifier Code: I3-2026-INV2a | Programme name: 16401 | Start submission calls: 13/05/2026 | End submission calls: 12/11/2026

This call for proposals is for Strand 2a and focuses on reinforcing the integration of innovation actors from less developed regions and transition regions in developing EU value chains while creating local opportunities for innovation and smart economic transformation in regions with shared (or complementary) smart specialisation areas.

The objective of the present I3 Instrument Strand 2a call for proposals is to support interregional innovation investments by offering consortia of innovation actors from the quadruple helix ecosystems the necessary financial and advisory support to bring their innovations to a mature level, ready for scale-up and commercialisation. This call specifically aims at reducing the innovation divide in Europe, with a strong cohesion policy focus on integrating less developed and transition regions into European value chains.

Trafficking in human beings

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Code: 40340 | Identifier Code: ISF-2026-TF2-AG-THB | Programme name: 14688 | Start submission calls: 21/05/2026 | End submission calls: 03/09/2026

The overall objective of the action is to dismantle organised criminal networks engaged in trafficking in human beings (THB) in the EU, including poly criminal networks, by strengthening operational cooperation including with third countries, establishing cooperation and partnership with the private sector in particular with the online platforms, enhancing financial investigations, improving criminal justice effectiveness, and ensuring a robust victim-centred approach throughout the criminal justice chain.

Organised crime and drug trafficking

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Code: 40338 | Identifier Code: ISF-2026-TF2-AG-OCDT | Programme name: 14688 | Start submission calls: 21/05/2026 | End submission calls: 03/09/2026

The project applications submitted under the present call for proposals must address one, but preferably more, of the following priorities stipulated below. Furthermore, projects must complement, integrate, or support already planned actions, notably those within the relevant EMPACT priorities:

1. The most threatening criminal networks and individuals (MTCNI), led by Belgium
2. The production, trafficking and distribution of cannabis, cocaine and heroin (OAP CCH 2026 2027), led by Spain
3. The production, trafficking and distribution of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (OBLIVION), led by Spain
4. Trafficking in human beings (EMPACT THB 2026-2027), led by the Netherlands
5. Firearms and explosives crimes (EMPACT FI-X), led by Spain

But also the reporting exercises coordinated by Europol.

The priorities are:

1. The intelligence picture
2. Cross border investigations
3. Financial investigations
4. Crime Prevention
5. Drug related priorities
   1. Drug production and trafficking
   2. Preparedness against drug related security threats

Support to awareness raising about the Arctic communities, including Indigenous People

Opened

Code: 40334 | Identifier Code: EMFAF-2026-PIA-ARCTIC | Programme name: 13524 | Start submission calls: 19/05/2026 | End submission calls: 20/08/2026

The objective of this call for proposals is to promote dialogue and cooperation with local Arctic communities, including Indigenous Peoples, in order to foster a more integrated maritime and coastal governance. Specifically, the action will aim to increase the visibility and raise awareness of the challenges facing these communities as a result of the rapidly changing Arctic environment and to enable policymakers to take into account the perspectives of Arctic inhabitants regarding maritime and coastal affairs.

To this end, the project to be funded is expected to:

• support the sustainable and inclusive economic development of Arctic communities, including Indigenous communities, with a strong focus on blue economy activities; and
• enhance synergies with existing related projects.

LIFE Operating Grants

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Code: 40331 | Identifier Code: LIFE-2026-NGO-OG-SGA | Programme name: 10710 | Start submission calls: 12/05/2026 | End submission calls: 22/09/2026

LIFE operating grants support non-profit organisations, NGOs and networks working in environment, climate action and clean energy transition, with the aim of strengthening their participation in EU policy dialogue and supporting the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental and climate legislation. The grants target organisations contributing to the objectives of the LIFE sub-programmes on Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Nature and Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition. They are awarded through a competitive and transparent process to help these organisations strengthen their capacity, improve their effectiveness and contribute more actively to EU policy objectives.

Framework Partnership Agreements for operating grants to support non-profit organisations

Opened

Code: 40328 | Identifier Code: LIFE-2026-NGO-OG-FPA | Programme name: 10710 | Start submission calls: 12/05/2026 | End submission calls: 08/09/2026

The EU recognises civil society organisations as important contributors to EU policy development, implementation and enforcement, and that they need a safe, supportive environment with stable and sufficient funding to operate effectively. In this context, LIFE Framework Partnership Agreements aim to support non-profit organisations, NGOs and networks working in the fields of environment, climate action and clean energy transition. The call seeks to strengthen civil society participation in EU policy dialogue and help beneficiaries contribute to the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental and climate objectives across LIFE sub-programmes, including Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Nature and Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition.

The agreements provide operating grants through a competitive and transparent process, helping organisations build capacity, improve efficiency and become stronger partners in supporting EU policy objectives.