European Excellence Initiative (EEI)

The HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-01-ACCESS-01 call, part of the European Excellence Initiative (EEI), seeks to enhance science and knowledge valorisation within European universities, particularly focusing on those in Widening countries. This initiative addresses the disparity in research excellence across EU institutions, aligning with broader EU goals for higher education and the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-24. The primary objectives are to elevate scientific standards, foster global competitiveness, and improve career prospects for researchers.

The program supports strategic cooperation among higher education institutions, including networks and alliances like those selected under Erasmus+. It specifically focuses on projects that exclude Master's or doctoral programs but contribute significantly to the European Research Area policy objectives. Applications must be structured around five key modules: institutional modernization, upskilling of research staff, development of research excellence, digital transformation, and outreach. Proposals should encompass at least four of these modules, and research expenditures are capped at 20% of the total budget.

Eligibility for funding is open to consortia of at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Participation must prioritize entities established in Widening countries, which must coordinate the applications. The European Commission has allocated a total budget of €80 million for this call, with individual project funding ranging from €2 million to €5 million. The call follows a single-stage application process, opening on May 8, 2025, and closing on November 20, 2025, with an expected allocation of approximately 27 grants.

The call emphasizes the importance of budgeting, specifically requiring a minimum of 51% of funding to be dedicated to participants from Widening countries. Each proposal must adhere to submission guidelines that are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Various support resources are available, including guidelines, FAQs, and partner search tools, to assist applicants during the process.

In summary, this initiative aims to strengthen the research and innovation landscape in European universities, particularly those in Widening countries, through collaborative efforts that focus on modernizing institutions, developing research capabilities, and promoting digital advancements.

The HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-01-ACCESS-01 call, under the European Excellence Initiative (EEI), aims to enhance science and knowledge valorisation in European universities through strategic cooperation, particularly focusing on institutions in Widening countries. This initiative seeks to address the disparity in research excellence among European universities, as highlighted in the report on the future of European competitiveness by Mario Draghi. The call contributes to the implementation of the European strategy for higher education institutions and the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-24.

The objectives are to raise excellence in science and knowledge valorisation through strategic cooperation, improve the global competitiveness and visibility of European higher education institutions, and enhance researchers' career opportunities. The expected outcomes include the modernisation of higher education institutions, mainstreaming a culture of excellence, accelerating institutional reforms, strengthening digital skills, increasing global competitiveness, and contributing to the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda.

The scope of the call is open to any network or alliance of higher education institutions, including European Universities alliances selected under Erasmus+. The action focuses on research and innovation in the higher education sector, excluding Master's or doctoral programmes. Projects should contribute to the implementation of ERA Policy Agenda priorities, particularly strengthening research careers and reforming research assessment.

Applicants are encouraged to implement European Research Area policy objectives through activities structured into five modules: Institutional modernisation and reforms, Upskilling of research, technical and management staff, Development of research excellence, Digital transformation, and Outreach. Proposals must address at least four of these modules. Expenditures for research and innovation activities cannot exceed 20% of the total budget. The project duration should be appropriate to the ambition and complexity, but not exceed 5 years.

The admissibility conditions require adherence to proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries. Participation as coordinators is limited to legal entities established in Widening countries. Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. The evaluation and award process will prioritise ex-aequo proposals based on geographical diversity, favouring coordinators from Widening Countries. The evaluation criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and indicative timeline are described in Annex D, Annex F, and Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes, respectively.

The budget for the call is 80,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR per grant. The call is a single-stage process, opening on 08 May 2025 and closing on 20 November 2025. Approximately 27 grants are expected to be awarded.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, with standard application and evaluation forms provided. Additional guidance is available in the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA), and various documents related to the Horizon Europe Work Programme, Framework Programme, Specific Programme Decision, EU Financial Regulation, and rules for legal entity validation.

The Funding & Tenders Portal provides an Online Manual, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Statement. Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited on the portal. Support is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk.

In summary, this call aims to bolster research and innovation excellence in European universities, particularly those in Widening countries, by fostering strategic cooperation, promoting institutional reforms, strengthening digital skills, and enhancing global competitiveness. It encourages alliances of higher education institutions to address key challenges and contribute to the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda, with a focus on modernising research assessment, upskilling staff, developing research excellence, promoting digital transformation, and engaging with local and regional innovation ecosystems.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are higher education institutions, networks or alliances of higher education institutions, including but not limited to European Universities alliances selected under Erasmus+, and entities outside the alliance for specific themes, especially in view of industrial cooperation and/or outreach to regional innovation ecosystems. Legal entities established in Widening countries must coordinate the applications.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) and a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The consortium must include as beneficiaries at least three independent legal entities in three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and Widening countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects. The center of gravity of the action is in Widening countries, with at least 51% of the budget allocated to participants from these countries.

Target Sector: The target sectors are research and innovation in the higher education sector, with a focus on science and knowledge valorisation, institutional modernisation and reforms, upskilling of research staff, development of research excellence, digital transformation, and outreach. Key strategic areas include the Clean Industrial Deal, the Energy Union, digital tech diffusion, artificial intelligence, the upcoming European Life Science strategy, and the Union of Skills.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and Widening countries are mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage targets modernization and upgrade of higher education institutions in the R&I dimension, mainstreaming a culture of excellence in science and knowledge valorisation, accelerating institutional reforms, strengthening digital skills and capacities, and increasing global competitiveness. The project aims to implement ERA Policy Agenda priorities.

Funding Amount: The funding ranges from €2,000,000 to €5,000,000 per grant. The total budget for the topic is €80,000,000, with an indicative number of 27 grants.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided information.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, applicants are expected to allocate at least 51% of the budget to participants from Widening countries.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, the European Excellence Initiative (EEI), aims to enhance the research and innovation landscape within higher education institutions, particularly those in Widening countries. The initiative seeks to address disparities in research excellence across the EU by fostering strategic cooperation among higher education institutions, promoting institutional reforms, and strengthening research capacities. The call is open to networks and alliances of higher education institutions, including those within the Erasmus+ program, and requires consortia of at least three independent legal entities from different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

The focus is on raising excellence in science and knowledge valorisation, improving global competitiveness, and enhancing research career opportunities. Projects should contribute to the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda and address at least four key modules: institutional modernisation and reforms, upskilling of research staff, development of research excellence, digital transformation, and outreach. Funding ranges from €2,000,000 to €5,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €80,000,000 allocated for approximately 27 grants. The call emphasizes the importance of allocating at least 51% of the budget to participants from Widening countries, highlighting the initiative's commitment to geographical inclusivity and balanced development within the European Research Area. The application deadline is November 20, 2025.