PARC, the EU partnership for the risk assessment of chemicals, is organizing the 4th SSbD Boot Camp, in Athens (Greece), from 21 to 23 October 2026. The event will bring together participants interested in applying the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework in practical research and innovation contexts. The programme will focus on key aspects of SSbD, such as scoping analysis, molecular redesign, early screening, and decision making.

For more information and how to apply for the 4th SSbD Boot Camp organized by PARC, please visit the official website and complete the application form by August 31, 2026. Applications will be evaluated by field experts and decisions on successful applicants will be announced via email by the end of August/beginning of September 2026. Participation in the PARC SSbD Boot Camp is free of charge. However, participants are responsible for covering their travel and accommodation expenses. 

Universities and research institutions in Hungary are offering hosting opportunities for researchers interested in preparing and submitting proposals under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 (MSCA PF 2026) call.

Researchers from the Republic of Moldova are eligible to apply, as MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline. As a general rule, they should have no more than eight years of research experience after obtaining their PhD and must comply with the mobility rule established under the programme.

The available hosting offers cover a wide range of research fields, including:

• artificial intelligence, language models, data science and digital transformation;
• bioinformatics, microbiology, genomics and antimicrobial resistance;
• quantum chemistry, molecular simulations and drug design;
• renewable energy, smart grids and energy storage;
• immunology, autoimmune diseases and the complement system;
• psychology, neuropsychology and digital tools for neurorehabilitation;

The project proposal is jointly prepared by the researcher and the host organisation in Hungary, together with the prospective scientific supervisor. Interested researchers are encouraged to review the available offers, identify the organisation and research team that best match their field of expertise, and contact the prospective supervisor well in advance to begin developing the proposal.

Further details about the host organisations, research fields, scientific supervisors and contact information are available here.

The European Commission, on 20.07.2026, adopted the European Research Council (ERC) Work Programme 2027, setting out the funding opportunities, grant budgets, competition timetable and application rules for the coming year.  
Established by the ERC Scientific Council and formally adopted by the Commission, the Work Programme introduces a few changes to the ERC's grant schemes and application rules that were announced earlier this year to give researchers time to prepare. 
Among the key changes are broader eligibility windows for Starting and Consolidator Grants, as well as limits on the number of proposals researchers may submit under a single work programme. The changes aim to reflect increasingly diverse research careers while helping to maintain a fair and efficient evaluation process.  
The first competition under the new Work Programme will be the ERC Starting Grant 2027 call, which opens on 22 July 2026. It will be followed by the other ERC grant competitions: Consolidator Grant, Synergy Grant, Advanced Grant as well as the ERC Plus Grant.  

More info
ERC Work Programme 2027
Applying for an ERC grant in the 2027 competitions: what you need to know
ERC Scientific Council readjusts rules for reapplication

A new EU platform designed to support innovators and startups across Europe launched at the European Innovation Summit in Brussels last month. Developed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the EU Innovation Platform is a central entry point for innovators seeking support to bring their ideas closer to the market.

Developed in the context of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, which aims to streamline existing EU innovation support services and digital tools, the EU Innovation Platform also contributes to the broader ambition of creating a more connected European innovation ecosystem. It seeks to bring resources together in one place through a more streamlined and user-friendly approach.

The key feature of the EU innovation Platform is an intelligent recommendation engine which is based on EU innovations' needs, sector, geographical location and maturity level. It connects registered users with relevant available services, news, events, or funding opportunities.

For the time being, the EU Innovation Platform is targeted at EU-funded innovators that have benefitted from EU funding support, and that have an ambition to successfully go to market, create jobs and ultimately contribute to improving EU’s competitiveness. In the coming months the Platform will open to EU innovators, business advisory services, investors, corporates, to name a few.

The European Commission has announced 117 new Horizon Europe Cluster 6 projects that will receive a combined €742.5 million in EU funding to drive research and innovation for a greener, more resilient, and sustainable Europe.

Funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 – "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment", these projects will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal by addressing biodiversity loss, improving natural resource management, enhancing food and water security, and accelerating Europe's transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy.

The selected projects have officially signed their Grant Agreements with the European Commission. While some projects have already begun, others will start in the coming months.

Funding Overview

The 117 funded projects, worth a total of €742.53 million, are distributed across seven key research areas:

• 19 projects on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (€128.9 million)
• 24 projects on Fair, Healthy and Environmentally Friendly Food Systems (€139.2 million)
• 27 projects on Circular Economy and Bioeconomy (€198.0 million)
• 10 projects on Clean Environment and Zero Pollution (€55.8 million)
• 9 projects on Land, Ocean and Water for Climate Action (€53.3 million)
• 6 projects on Resilient Rural, Coastal and Urban Communities (€37.5 million)
• 22 projects on Innovative Governance, Environmental Observation and Digital Solutions (€129.9 million)

Research Areas Supported

The newly funded projects will focus on a wide range of sustainability challenges, including:

• Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems through improved monitoring, species identification, ecosystem modelling, and citizen science initiatives.
• Building sustainable food systems by improving farming, fisheries, aquaculture, plant health, crop breeding, and food preparedness for future crises.
• Accelerating the circular bioeconomy through innovative business models, sustainable product design, bio-based innovation, and reconstruction of conflict-affected regions.
• Reducing pollution with advanced monitoring technologies, biotechnology-based environmental clean-up, digital solutions for agriculture, and improved industrial sustainability.
• Supporting climate action by advancing marine carbon removal research, monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, protecting oceans, and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture.
• Strengthening rural and coastal communities through innovative solutions addressing demographic change, housing challenges, accessibility, and climate adaptation.
• Advancing governance and digital innovation by improving environmental observation systems, strengthening bioeconomy cooperation, supporting farmers, and developing next-generation Earth intelligence capabilities.

Project Selection

The projects were selected through competitive single-stage Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls, which were open between May and September 2025. Independent experts evaluated proposals based on scientific excellence, impact, and implementation quality, with the highest-ranked proposals receiving funding.

Why It Matters

These investments reinforce the European Union's commitment to delivering the goals of the European Green Deal while strengthening Europe's research and innovation ecosystem. The funded projects will generate new knowledge, technologies, and collaborative solutions that support environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and the transition to a greener economy.

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