Date:

29/01/2026

30/01/2026

Horizon Europe info days - Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space

Are you looking for research & innovation funding opportunities to develop a competitive, digital, low-carbon and circular industry? Are you interested in ensuring sustainable supply of raw materials, develop advanced materials and provide the basis for advances and innovation in global challenges to society? Join the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 info days on 29 and 30 January 2026 to learn more about the topics of the Work Programme 2026!

Main topics covered:

manufacturing technologies
key digital technologies including quantum technologies
emerging enabling technologies
advanced materials
artificial intelligence and robotics
next generation internet
advanced computing and Big Data
circular industries
low carbon and clean industries
space including earth observation

The event will be streamed online via Webex. The link to the webcast will be made available on this page.

The event covers:

Insights into the policy context
Pitches for each of the topics from the Work Programme 2026
Horizontal Sessions offering guidance and tips for applicants

KETs Brokerage Event 2026 – registration open

Date:

05/02/2026

KETs Brokerage Event 2026 – registration open

The KETs 2026 EU Brokerage Event is a matchmaking gathering focused on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) related to Horizon Europe calls. It will take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, on February 5, 2026, with a pre-event reception on the evening of February 4.

Key details include

Purpose: the event connects stakeholders to form consortia for upcoming Horizon Europe calls, specifically in Clusters 4 (Industry, Digital), 5 (Batteries, Hydrogen), and industry-related topics in Cluster 6.
Activities: the agenda features a plenary session, six thematic workshops with pitching sessions, and pre-arranged B2B meetings.
Key topics: focus areas include manufacturing, circular economy, raw & advanced materials, energy storage (batteries & hydrogen), AI, and ICT.
Target audience: it is designed for SMEs, researchers, universities, public authorities, and industry representatives.
Cost: participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory.

The registration deadline is currently 1st Feb. 2026.

Register NOW!

Date:

04/02/2026

05/02/2026

Chips JU - ECS Brokerage event

The ECS Brokerage Event is a networking gathering designed to connect stakeholders in the Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) community. It will be held in Brussels on February 4–5, 2026, at a new venue, The EGG.

Key details include:

Purpose: the event brings together industry associations (AENEAS, EPoSS, and INSIDE) to help participants network, build consortia, and generate project proposals for the new Chips JU Calls 2026.
Activities: attendees can participate in interactive workshops, meet potential partners for project ideas, and receive first-hand information about funding opportunities.
Registration: participation involves a fee for both members and non-members (with free registration for EC and Member State representatives).

It serves as a key platform for forming collaborations ahead of upcoming funding calls in the semiconductor and electronic systems sectors.

Date:

10/02/2026

11/02/2026

European Data Spaces Symposium 2026

The world’s leading event on data spaces enters its fourth edition – and is coming to Madrid! The Data Spaces
Symposium brings together pioneering thinkers, innovators, and organizations shaping a connected, datadriven future. Key themes in 2026 will include:

Data Spaces as value creators and enablers of uniting economies
Data Spaces as enablers of AI: providing the trustworthy data for future AI
Relevance of standards and interoperability: advancing international harmonization of data space
technologies
Showcases of best practices and real-world impact: highlighting successful implementations and
market-ready solutions

News

Lansarea apelului pentru Propuneri EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) 2025 – O oportunitate de finanțare pentru universitățile și ecosistemele de inovare

Institutul European de Inovare și Tehnologie (EIT) a lansat oficial Apelul pentru propuneri 2025 în cadrul inițiativei EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI), o componentă cheie a programului Horizon Europe. Acest apel vizează consolidarea capacităților de inovare și antreprenoriat în instituțiile de învățământ superior din întreaga Europă, oferind finanțare semnificativă și oportunități de colaborare strategică.

Apelul EIT HEI 2025 își propune să sprijine transformarea instituțiilor de învățământ superior în motoare ale inovării, prin:

Creșterea competitivității și rezilienței acestora.
Dezvoltarea competențelor studenților și cadrelor didactice în domenii precum inovarea, antreprenoriatul și managementul proprietății intelectuale.
Integrarea modelului “Knowledge Triangle” (educație – cercetare – afaceri) în ecosistemele regionale.
Sprijinirea formării unei noi generații de talente în domeniile STEM.
Consolidarea cooperării între alianțele “European Universities” și comunitățile de inovare EIT (KICs).

Apelul este structurat în două tematici distincte, fiecare cu scopuri specifice:

Topic 1: EIT-HEI-2025-STEM-CAPACITY-BUILDING

Vizează proiecte care integrează inovarea și antreprenoriatul în educația STEM, dezvoltă structuri pentru transfer tehnologic și întăresc ecosistemele regionale de inovare.

Topic 2: EIT-HEI-2025-BUILDING-SYNERGIES

Destinat alianțelor “European Universities”, această tematică promovează colaborarea strategică cu comunitățile EIT KICs și integrarea programelor educaționale certificate EIT Label.

Pentru mai multe detalii referitoare la participanții eligibili, condițiile de creare a consorțiilor, calendarul depunerilor și alte detalii importante, accesați link-ul APEL Propuneri EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) 2025

The Work Programme 2026-2027 is here!

Today, 11 December 2025, the European Commission published the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026/2027 on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Work programmes set out funding opportunities under Horizon Europe. One specific programme under Horizon Europe is implemented through the following:

The main work programme

Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and research infrastructures under Pillar I
all clusters under Pillar II
European innovation ecosystems under Pillar III
the part widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area

2. Other work programmes cover

European Research Council (ERC)
Joint Research Centre (JRC)
European Innovation Council (EIC)

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - General introduction: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - MSCA: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Infrastructures: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 1 Health: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 3 Civil Security for Society: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 4 Digital, Industry and Space: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - European Innovation Ecosystems: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - WIDERA: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - EU Missions: download here.

Horizon Europe Work programme (2026-27) - NEB: download here.

The participation of MOST Office in the European Roundtable on the Free Circulation of Knowledge and Talent – Science|Business

The Moldovan Office for Science and Technology (MOST) participated on 19 November 2025 in the roundtable organised by the Science|Business Widening Initiative, dedicated to the fifth freedom in the field of research and innovation – a concept gaining increasing importance within Europe’s efforts to strengthen the European Research Area.

The event brought together representatives from across Europe to examine the evolution of the Widening process over the past two decades, with a focus on the countries that joined the European Union in 2004 and on those currently in the enlargement process. Speakers highlighted how the initial vision of the fifth freedom – introduced by former Commissioner Janez Potočnik and recently revived in the Letta Report – has generated significant progress, while also revealing the limitations of a system that remains uneven.

Participants concluded that Widening is no longer solely about closing gaps, but has become a bidirectional approach aimed at strengthening capacities and enhancing cooperation across the entire Union. Discussions also addressed Europe’s ambitions for the coming years, exploring what a genuine fifth freedom could mean for talent, knowledge and innovation. Structural barriers, policy gaps and fragmented implementation were underscored as key challenges, but so were important opportunities: rethinking governance, deepening collaboration and creating more coherent mechanisms for the circulation of excellence.

During her intervention at the roundtable, the Head of the MOST Office, Doinița Ulinici, emphasised:
“For the Republic of Moldova, the fifth freedom means being fully integrated into the European knowledge area — where our researchers can collaborate fully, and where our innovations contribute to Europe’s future.”

Promoting the Opportunities Offered by the M-HERO Project at Deep Tech Night, a Side Event of Web Summit 2025

Between 10–15 November 2025, the National Horizon Europe Office within the National Agency for Research and Development, represented by Dr. Elena Simciuc, participated in Deep Tech Night, a side event of Web Summit 2025 attended by more than 350 international participants. This event provided an excellent platform to promote the opportunities, tools and benefits offered by the project “Moldovan Horizon Europe Office – Empowering Research, Expanding Horizons (M-HERO)”, funded by the European Union, to the scientific and innovation community of the Republic of Moldova.

Throughout the visit, the M-HERO project was highlighted as an example of institutional modernization, capacity building for Horizon Europe participation, and active integration into the European Research Area (ERA).

This mission has also contributed significantly to:

• increasing the visibility of the Republic of Moldova within European research and innovation networks;

• strengthening collaboration with NCP structures in Portugal;

• expanding international partnerships relevant to the advancement of the M-HERO project;

• facilitating access for Moldovan stakeholders to European initiatives focused on innovation, digitalization and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

This event was carried out under the project “Moldovan Horizon Europe Office – Empowering Research, Expanding Horizons” (M-HERO), funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Public consultation on Advanced Materials Act

European Commission launched a public consultation on the Advanced Materials Act.

Consultation period: 21 October 2025 - 13 January 2026 (midnight CET time)

More information as well as the link to the questionnaire can be found here.

Highlights

EU Missions

A new way to bring concrete solutions to some of the EU greatest challenges with ambitious goals to deliver concrete results by 2030.

EU Missions will deliver impact by putting research and innovation into a new role in combination with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as citizen engagement.
EU Missions are a coordinated effort by the Commission to pool the necessary resources in terms of funding programmes, policies and regulations, as well as other activities. They aim to mobilise and activate public and private actors, such as EU Member States, regional and local authorities, research institutes, farmers and land managers, entrepreneurs and investors to create a real and lasting impact.
EU Missions will support Europe’s transformation into a greener, healthier, more inclusive and resilient continent.

Mission Starfish 2030: Restore our Ocean and Waters

Targets by 2030: cleaning marine and fresh waters, restoring degraded ecosystems and habitats, decarbonising the blue economy in order to sustainably harness the essential goods and services they provide.

Caring for Soil is Caring for Life

Targets by 2030: at least 75% of all soils in the EU are healthy for food, people, nature and climate. The proposed mission combines research and innovation, education and training, investments and the demonstration of good practices using “Living labs” (experiments and innovation in a laboratory on the ground) and “Lighthouses” (places to showcase good practices).

Conquering Cancer: Mission Possible

Targets by 2030: more than 3 million more lives saved, living longer and better, achieve a thorough understanding of cancer, prevent what is preventable, optimise diagnosis and treatment, support the quality of life of all people exposed to cancer, and ensure equitable access to the above across Europe.

A Climate Resilient Europe - Adaptation to Climate change

Targets by 2030: prepare Europe to deal with climate disruptions, accelerate the transition to a healthy and prosperous future within safe planetary boundaries and scale up solutions for resilience that will trigger transformations in society.

100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030 - by and for the citizens

Targets by 2030: support, promote and showcase 100 European cities in their systemic transformation towards climate neutrality by 2030 and turn these cities into innovation hubs for all cities, benefiting quality of life and sustainability in Europe.

European Parterships in Horizon Europe

European Partnerships bring the European Commission and private and/or public partners together to address additional challenges through concerted research and innovation initiatives, on top of the challenges addressed by Horizon Europe. They are a key implementation tool of Horizon Europe, and contribute significantly to achieving the EU’s political priorities.

By bringing private and public partners together, European Partnerships help to avoid the duplication of investments and contribute to reducing the fragmentation of the research and innovation landscape in the EU.

Find out more about European Partnerships in the Commission’s infographic.

Identifying partnerships

The Commission carried out impact assessments that helped identify the candidates for partnerships.

The portfolio of European Partnerships includes 49 candidates which have now been taken into the next step of preparations.

The partnership candidates are collected across 5 areas.

Full details of candidates, draft proposal documents and contact details please see below.

The current list of candidate European Partnerships is found in Annex 7 of the Orientations towards the first Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe.

Results from the structured consultation of EU countries are summarised in the report European Partnerships under Horizon Europe: results of the structured consultation of Member States.

Types of partnership

The Horizon Europe proposal lays down the conditions and principles for establishing European Partnerships. There are 3 types.

Co-programmed European Partnerships
These are partnerships between the Commission and private and/or public partners. They are based on memoranda of understanding and/or contractual arrangements.

Co-funded European Partnerships using a programme co-fund action
Partnerships involving EU countries, with research funders and other public authorities at the core of the consortium.

Institutionalised European Partnerships
These are partnerships where the EU participates in research and innovation funding programmes that are undertaken by EU countries.

These partnerships require legislative proposals from the Commission and are based on a Council Regulation (Article 187) or a Decision by the European Parliament and Council (Article 185). They are implemented by dedicated structures created for that purpose.

Institutionalised partnerships will only be implemented where other parts of the Horizon Europe programme, including other types of partnership, would not achieve the desired objectives or expected impacts.

Documents

Horizon Europe’s next generation European partnerships (PDF File)

Source:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/european-partnerships-horizon-europe_en

Widening & ERA

WIDERA NCPs is an umbrella name for the transnational network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area under Horizon Europe.

NCP_WIDERA.NET Project is a 3 years Coordination and Support Action financed by the European Commission and established with the aim to empower the network of National Contact Points (NCP) for WIDERA under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.

Check-list for HE CSA actions – single-stage submission procedure

The check-list was developed as a tool for NCPs to help them to review the project proposals in order to help the applicants to develop their project proposals in higher quality. There are included all the conditions / questions published in the WP General Annexes, Application form and Evaluation form

SSH and Interdisciplinarity in Horizon Europe

Following a workshop activity which took place in May in Dublin, the report summarises delegates' input on opportunities, barriers and useful support.

In a nutshell, the main conclusions are:

From engaging in Horizon Europe, SSH researchers can gain funding, prestige, expansion of networks and opportunity for impact.
Social science and arts & humanities should not be understood as a monolith.
Reliable partners are a huge resource. Being included in networks might be challenging for newcomers.
Early career researchers can benefit from participation in Horizon Europe projects. However, provisions for their inclusion and career-development are not explicitly required nor rewarded by the funder.
There are considerable differences among institutions in terms of in-house, opportunities for peer-learning, expertise, capacities and contractual conditions

Upcoming Events

Horizon Europe info days - Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space

KETs Brokerage Event 2026 – registration open

Chips JU - ECS Brokerage event

European Data Spaces Symposium 2026

News

Lansarea apelului pentru Propuneri EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) 2025 – O oportunitate de finanțare pentru universitățile și ecosistemele de inovare

The Work Programme 2026-2027 is here!

The participation of MOST Office in the European Roundtable on the Free Circulation of Knowledge and Talent – Science|Business

Promoting the Opportunities Offered by the M-HERO Project at Deep Tech Night, a Side Event of Web Summit 2025

Public consultation on Advanced Materials Act

Highlights

EU Missions

Mission Starfish 2030: Restore our Ocean and Waters

Caring for Soil is Caring for Life

Conquering Cancer: Mission Possible

A Climate Resilient Europe - Adaptation to Climate change

100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030 - by and for the citizens

European Parterships in Horizon Europe

Identifying partnerships

Types of partnership

Widening & ERA

Check-list for HE CSA actions – single-stage submission procedure

SSH and Interdisciplinarity in Horizon Europe

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