Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding programme for 2021–2027, with a total budget of €93.5 billion dedicated to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, accelerating the green and digital transitions, and tackling major societal challenges.
With the publication of the 2026–2027 Work Programmes, the final and most strategic phase of Horizon Europe is now officially underway unlocking €14 billion in funding opportunities across all pillars.
For innovative companies and research-driven organisations, this represents a decisive moment to position projects, secure partnerships, and access large-scale non-dilutive financing.
What Are the Horizon Europe 2026–2027 Work Programmes?
Published on 11 December 2025 and now available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, the 2026–27 Work Programmes define all calls, topics, budgets, and evaluation criteria for the final two years of Horizon Europe.
They cover funding opportunities across:
- Collaborative R&D projects
- Innovation and scale-up actions
- Research infrastructures
- Talent and researcher mobility
- EU Missions and strategic initiatives
- Widening participation and ERA strengthening
This phase is particularly competitive, as it concentrates high-impact topics, increased industrial relevance, and strong policy alignment with EU priorities.
What Is the Structure of Horizon Europe and How Do Its 3 Pillars Work?
Pillar I : Excellent Science
Focused on strengthening Europe’s scientific excellence through:
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
- Research Infrastructures
Ideal for research-intensive organisations, universities, and R&D-driven companies.
Pillar II : Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness
The core pillar for companies, structured around 6 thematic clusters (health, digital, climate, mobility, food, security).
Designed to fund collaborative, applied R&D with clear industrial and societal impact.
Pillar III : Innovative Europe
Supports:
- European Innovation Ecosystems
- Market-oriented innovation
- Ecosystem building and scale-up readiness
Horizontal Actions & EU Missions
Including:
- Widening Participation
- ERA strengthening
- Mission-driven projects addressing climate, health, mobility, cities, and oceans
Who Can Apply to Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is intentionally broad and inclusive.
Eligible applicants include:
- Companies of all sizes (start-ups, SMEs, mid-caps, large groups)
- Research organisations and universities
- Public authorities and agencies
- NGOs, non-profits and civil society organisations
- International partners from associated countries
Most calls require consortium-based applications, making partner strategy a critical success factor.
What Types of Funding Exist and Which Costs Are Eligible?
Horizon Europe primarily offers non-dilutive grants, typically awarded through highly competitive calls.
Types of Support:
- Project grants (Research & Innovation Actions, Innovation Actions, CSA)
- Lump-sum funding models, increasingly used to simplify financial management
Eligible Costs Include:
- Personnel and internal resources
- Subcontracting and external expertise
- Equipment and depreciation
- Travel, dissemination and communication
- Overheads
- Financial support to third parties (for specific actions)
Funding rates vary by action type, with up to 100% funding for certain research activities.
Timeline : When Do Calls Open?
- Work Programmes adopted: 11 December 2025
- Calls opening: Throughout 2026 and 2027
- Deadlines: Defined per topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Given the complexity of consortium building and proposal development, early preparation is a decisive advantage.
Why Horizon Europe Matters for Innovative Companies
For companies with strong R&D and innovation ambitions, Horizon Europe enables:
- Access to significant funding without equity dilution
- Collaboration with top European research and industrial partners
- Reduced risk for early-stage or pre-commercial innovation
- Increased international visibility and credibility
- Entry into new European value chains and markets
Successfully funded projects also strengthen positioning with investors, customers, and public stakeholders.
Why Choose Leyton?
As Horizon Europe enters its final two years, the programme presents exceptional opportunities for organisations committed to cutting-edge research, sustainable innovation, and cross-border collaboration. With €14 billion still available across a wide array of thematic areas, now is the ideal moment for companies, research institutions, and public bodies to position themselves for success and shape the future of European innovation.
Navigating these opportunities, however, can be complex — from identifying the right calls to preparing competitive proposals and managing awarded projects.
This is where Leyton brings significant added value. Leveraging deep expertise in EU funding mechanisms, strong sector knowledge, and a proven track record in Horizon Europe, Leyton supports organisations throughout the entire process: from strategic alignment and consortium building to proposal drafting, budget optimisation, and post-award project management.
By partnering with Leyton, applicants can increase their chances of success, reduce administrative burden, and maximise the impact of their innovation efforts. As the final phase of Horizon Europe unfolds, Leyton stands ready to help organisations unlock funding, accelerate innovation, and drive meaningful societal and economic outcomes across Europe.
