Overview
The Horizon Europe call for proposals focuses on establishing a "Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality" under the topic HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05. This funding opportunity invites academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations to collaborate in promoting inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies across Europe. The total available budget for this grant is between 4 million and 4.5 million euros, with one expected grant likely to be awarded. The application process is single-stage, opening on May 12, 2026, and closing on September 23, 2026.
Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, and organizations with expertise in social sciences, humanities, and democratic governance. The funding will be provided as a lump sum, simplifying the financial reporting process. A collaborative consortium is required for the proposal submission, emphasizing the need for diverse expertise and geographic representation.
The geographic eligibility encompasses EU Member States, EEA countries, and Associated Countries, with potential participation from non-EU states under specific conditions. The network's aim includes translating research into actionable policy recommendations, addressing intersectional inequalities, and reinforcing EU values such as democracy and fundamental rights.
The project is expected to target a range of sectors including governance, democracy, and human rights, while fostering a culture of participation and combating disinformation. An online platform will be created to share insights and facilitate communication among stakeholders.
The expected outcomes focus on empowering policymakers and researchers to implement evidence-based solutions to foster democratic engagement, civic participation, and inclusivity in decision-making processes. The project requires a minimum duration of four years and aims to leverage existing resources and projects to further enhance its impact.
No co-funding is required for this initiative, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. While the call does not specify exact success rates, they typically vary based on competitiveness, with estimates suggesting a range lower than 10%.
Overall, this initiative represents a significant funding opportunity aimed at strengthening democracy within the EU by encouraging collaborative engagement between various sectors and fostering practical solutions to address contemporary socio-political challenges.
Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, and organizations with expertise in social sciences, humanities, and democratic governance. The funding will be provided as a lump sum, simplifying the financial reporting process. A collaborative consortium is required for the proposal submission, emphasizing the need for diverse expertise and geographic representation.
The geographic eligibility encompasses EU Member States, EEA countries, and Associated Countries, with potential participation from non-EU states under specific conditions. The network's aim includes translating research into actionable policy recommendations, addressing intersectional inequalities, and reinforcing EU values such as democracy and fundamental rights.
The project is expected to target a range of sectors including governance, democracy, and human rights, while fostering a culture of participation and combating disinformation. An online platform will be created to share insights and facilitate communication among stakeholders.
The expected outcomes focus on empowering policymakers and researchers to implement evidence-based solutions to foster democratic engagement, civic participation, and inclusivity in decision-making processes. The project requires a minimum duration of four years and aims to leverage existing resources and projects to further enhance its impact.
No co-funding is required for this initiative, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. While the call does not specify exact success rates, they typically vary based on competitiveness, with estimates suggesting a range lower than 10%.
Overall, this initiative represents a significant funding opportunity aimed at strengthening democracy within the EU by encouraging collaborative engagement between various sectors and fostering practical solutions to address contemporary socio-political challenges.
Detail
This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically focusing on Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society in 2026. The topic is "Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality" (HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05). It is a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage. The planned opening date is 12 May 2026, and the deadline date is 23 September 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The topic budget for the year 2026 is EUR 4,500,000, with contributions ranging from EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 4,500,000. The indicative number of grants is 1.
The expected outcomes of the projects should include:
Policymakers being aware and equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate inclusive and intersectional perspectives into their policymaking, strengthening their capacity to promote and protect democracy, fundamental rights, and EU values.
Researchers gaining insights on how to translate their findings on intersectional inequalities and democracy into actionable, evidence-based recommendations, enabling them to effectively inform policy and practice at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Innovative solutions developed under Horizon Europe and other EU-funding programmes empowering equally all citizens to participate in democratic processes and decision-making.
The scope of the call is to establish a Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality. This network should bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations to collaborate and promote the advancement of inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies.
The proposed network should contribute to:
Developing a comprehensive approach to democracy, fostering a culture of participation and inclusivity, and promoting the EU values of equality, justice, and human rights.
Addressing how equality and intersectionality are defined across the EU’s diverse socio-political landscapes to ensure inclusive policies that account for varying cultural and social contexts.
Reflecting on how to foster the implementation of EU strategies under the Union of Equality.
The network should support the implementation of gender-inclusive and intersectional strategies to:
Counter disinformation.
Reduce societal polarization.
Re-engage citizens in democratic practices.
These efforts should also aim at:
Promoting critical thinking.
Enhancing media literacy.
Encouraging active civic participation across diverse groups, including youth and underrepresented groups.
The network could also leverage foresight to anticipate emerging challenges to democracy and inform effective policy responses. Its work should be informed by close contact with elected representatives at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
A dedicated online platform should be established as soon as possible in the network’s lifecycle to:
Share evidence-based recommendations.
Share innovative solutions to strengthen democratic practices based on Horizon Europe projects’ results and other relevant sources.
This platform should be backed by a comprehensive repository that gathers information on:
Existing tools.
Trainings.
Data, including disaggregated data.
Methodologies for gender mainstreaming and addressing intersectional inequalities.
It could also include a collaborative webpage for stakeholders to share information on:
Events.
Calls for papers.
Funding opportunities related to inclusive democracy, gender equality, and intersectionality.
The network should ensure and support the translation of research findings (including from SSH disciplines) into:
Actionable, evidence-based proposals.
Practical and effective recommendations that drive positive change at different levels of actions (local, national, supranational).
Living labs and innovation hubs could be used to provide a collaborative environment for stakeholders to co-create and test solutions.
To foster collaboration and drive progress, the network should host an annual thematic forum, providing a platform for stakeholders and policymakers to meet in person and:
Share innovative ideas.
Receive feedback.
Learn from one another.
The network should also explore how to ensure a safe and enabling research environment, protecting researchers from backlash, hate speech and harassment, and promoting academic freedom and integrity when researching on democracy, inclusive societies, and intersectionality.
The network’s actions should contribute to ensuring that the results and innovations generated by Horizon Europe projects related to inclusiveness in the public space, democracy, and governance are taken up and made available to relevant stakeholders. It could particularly build on past and on-going EU-funded projects, such as those under the topics HORIZON-CL2-2021-DEMOCRACY-01-03, HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05; HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-08 and HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-05. Proposals are encouraged to identify other relevant EU-funded projects, and to explore potential collaboration opportunities with them.
The action to be funded should have a minimum duration of 4 years.
Admissibility Conditions:
Proposal page limit and layout: As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The page limit for Part B of the CSA application using lump sum is 33 pages. A detailed budget table, using the template available in the Submission System, is mandatory.
Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.
Other Eligible Conditions: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes: As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. As described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions: As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates: Available in the Submission System (Standard application form (HE CSA)).
Evaluation form templates: Will be used with necessary adaptations (Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)).
Guidance: HE Programme Guide.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA): Lump Sum MGA.
Call-specific instructions: Detailed budget table (HE LS), Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
There are partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal.
The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.
Topic Q&As: 0 item(s) found.
General FAQ
Support:
Read all provisions carefully before preparing the application.
The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant.
The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management.
The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).
The Enterprise Europe Network can advise businesses, with a special focus on SMEs, and includes guidance on EU research funding.
The IT Helpdesk can answer questions about forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on how to tackle standardisation in the project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders of researchers.
Partner Search helps find a partner organisation for the proposal.
In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to establish a research and innovation network focused on promoting equality, inclusion, and resilient democratic societies within the EU. It seeks to connect academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations to develop strategies, tools, and recommendations that can inform policy and empower citizens to participate in democratic processes. The network is expected to create an online platform and host an annual forum to share knowledge and foster collaboration. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the projects are expected to last for a minimum of four years. The call encourages proposals that build upon existing EU-funded projects and explore potential collaboration opportunities. The ultimate goal is to equip policymakers and researchers with the necessary resources to strengthen democracy, protect fundamental rights, and promote EU values.
The expected outcomes of the projects should include:
Policymakers being aware and equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate inclusive and intersectional perspectives into their policymaking, strengthening their capacity to promote and protect democracy, fundamental rights, and EU values.
Researchers gaining insights on how to translate their findings on intersectional inequalities and democracy into actionable, evidence-based recommendations, enabling them to effectively inform policy and practice at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Innovative solutions developed under Horizon Europe and other EU-funding programmes empowering equally all citizens to participate in democratic processes and decision-making.
The scope of the call is to establish a Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality. This network should bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations to collaborate and promote the advancement of inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies.
The proposed network should contribute to:
Developing a comprehensive approach to democracy, fostering a culture of participation and inclusivity, and promoting the EU values of equality, justice, and human rights.
Addressing how equality and intersectionality are defined across the EU’s diverse socio-political landscapes to ensure inclusive policies that account for varying cultural and social contexts.
Reflecting on how to foster the implementation of EU strategies under the Union of Equality.
The network should support the implementation of gender-inclusive and intersectional strategies to:
Counter disinformation.
Reduce societal polarization.
Re-engage citizens in democratic practices.
These efforts should also aim at:
Promoting critical thinking.
Enhancing media literacy.
Encouraging active civic participation across diverse groups, including youth and underrepresented groups.
The network could also leverage foresight to anticipate emerging challenges to democracy and inform effective policy responses. Its work should be informed by close contact with elected representatives at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
A dedicated online platform should be established as soon as possible in the network’s lifecycle to:
Share evidence-based recommendations.
Share innovative solutions to strengthen democratic practices based on Horizon Europe projects’ results and other relevant sources.
This platform should be backed by a comprehensive repository that gathers information on:
Existing tools.
Trainings.
Data, including disaggregated data.
Methodologies for gender mainstreaming and addressing intersectional inequalities.
It could also include a collaborative webpage for stakeholders to share information on:
Events.
Calls for papers.
Funding opportunities related to inclusive democracy, gender equality, and intersectionality.
The network should ensure and support the translation of research findings (including from SSH disciplines) into:
Actionable, evidence-based proposals.
Practical and effective recommendations that drive positive change at different levels of actions (local, national, supranational).
Living labs and innovation hubs could be used to provide a collaborative environment for stakeholders to co-create and test solutions.
To foster collaboration and drive progress, the network should host an annual thematic forum, providing a platform for stakeholders and policymakers to meet in person and:
Share innovative ideas.
Receive feedback.
Learn from one another.
The network should also explore how to ensure a safe and enabling research environment, protecting researchers from backlash, hate speech and harassment, and promoting academic freedom and integrity when researching on democracy, inclusive societies, and intersectionality.
The network’s actions should contribute to ensuring that the results and innovations generated by Horizon Europe projects related to inclusiveness in the public space, democracy, and governance are taken up and made available to relevant stakeholders. It could particularly build on past and on-going EU-funded projects, such as those under the topics HORIZON-CL2-2021-DEMOCRACY-01-03, HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05; HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-08 and HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-05. Proposals are encouraged to identify other relevant EU-funded projects, and to explore potential collaboration opportunities with them.
The action to be funded should have a minimum duration of 4 years.
Admissibility Conditions:
Proposal page limit and layout: As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The page limit for Part B of the CSA application using lump sum is 33 pages. A detailed budget table, using the template available in the Submission System, is mandatory.
Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.
Other Eligible Conditions: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes: As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. As described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions: As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates: Available in the Submission System (Standard application form (HE CSA)).
Evaluation form templates: Will be used with necessary adaptations (Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)).
Guidance: HE Programme Guide.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA): Lump Sum MGA.
Call-specific instructions: Detailed budget table (HE LS), Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
There are partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal.
The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.
Topic Q&As: 0 item(s) found.
General FAQ
Support:
Read all provisions carefully before preparing the application.
The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant.
The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management.
The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).
The Enterprise Europe Network can advise businesses, with a special focus on SMEs, and includes guidance on EU research funding.
The IT Helpdesk can answer questions about forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on how to tackle standardisation in the project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders of researchers.
Partner Search helps find a partner organisation for the proposal.
In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to establish a research and innovation network focused on promoting equality, inclusion, and resilient democratic societies within the EU. It seeks to connect academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations to develop strategies, tools, and recommendations that can inform policy and empower citizens to participate in democratic processes. The network is expected to create an online platform and host an annual forum to share knowledge and foster collaboration. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the projects are expected to last for a minimum of four years. The call encourages proposals that build upon existing EU-funded projects and explore potential collaboration opportunities. The ultimate goal is to equip policymakers and researchers with the necessary resources to strengthen democracy, protect fundamental rights, and promote EU values.
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Breakdown
Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations. These entities should collaborate to promote inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, provided through HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).
Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required, as the call aims to establish a Research and Innovation Network. The network should bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, as well as potentially non-EU/non-Associated Countries, depending on specific provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Target Sector: The target sectors for this program include culture, creativity, inclusive society, democracy, equality, justice, human rights, countering disinformation, media literacy, civic participation, and governance. It also targets research and innovation related to inclusiveness in the public space.
Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union and associated countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible under specific provisions.
Project Stage: The project stage is focused on establishing a Research and Innovation Network, translating research findings into actionable proposals, developing innovative solutions, and ensuring the uptake of results from existing projects. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, with an emphasis on translating research into practice.
Funding Amount: The funding amount for this specific topic, HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05, is EUR 4,500,000. The contributions are expected to be between EUR 4,000,000 and EUR 4,500,000, and it is anticipated that one grant will be awarded. Other related topics under the same call (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026) have different budget allocations and indicative numbers of grants.
Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call, meaning applicants submit a full proposal at once.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.
Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, where a full proposal is submitted for evaluation.
Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for the HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 topic is 1, suggesting a competitive selection process. For other topics, the number of grants varies between 1 and 4.
Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, Horizon Europe grants often encourage or require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the grant agreement.
Summary: This Horizon Europe call, part of the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 work program, aims to establish a Research and Innovation Network dedicated to fostering a Union of Equality. The call, specifically topic HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05, invites academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations to form a collaborative network that advances inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies. The network should develop a comprehensive approach to democracy, promote EU values, counter disinformation, and re-engage citizens in democratic practices. A key component is the creation of an online platform to share evidence-based recommendations and innovative solutions. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a total budget of EUR 4,500,000 for the HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 topic, and the action should have a minimum duration of 4 years. The call follows a single-stage application process with a deadline of September 23, 2026. The broader call includes other topics related to democracy, heritage, and transformations, each with its own budget and expected number of grants. This initiative seeks to empower policymakers and researchers with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote and protect democracy, fundamental rights, and EU values across local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, provided through HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).
Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required, as the call aims to establish a Research and Innovation Network. The network should bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, as well as potentially non-EU/non-Associated Countries, depending on specific provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Target Sector: The target sectors for this program include culture, creativity, inclusive society, democracy, equality, justice, human rights, countering disinformation, media literacy, civic participation, and governance. It also targets research and innovation related to inclusiveness in the public space.
Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union and associated countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible under specific provisions.
Project Stage: The project stage is focused on establishing a Research and Innovation Network, translating research findings into actionable proposals, developing innovative solutions, and ensuring the uptake of results from existing projects. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, with an emphasis on translating research into practice.
Funding Amount: The funding amount for this specific topic, HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05, is EUR 4,500,000. The contributions are expected to be between EUR 4,000,000 and EUR 4,500,000, and it is anticipated that one grant will be awarded. Other related topics under the same call (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026) have different budget allocations and indicative numbers of grants.
Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call, meaning applicants submit a full proposal at once.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.
Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, where a full proposal is submitted for evaluation.
Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for the HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 topic is 1, suggesting a competitive selection process. For other topics, the number of grants varies between 1 and 4.
Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, Horizon Europe grants often encourage or require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the grant agreement.
Summary: This Horizon Europe call, part of the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 work program, aims to establish a Research and Innovation Network dedicated to fostering a Union of Equality. The call, specifically topic HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05, invites academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations to form a collaborative network that advances inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies. The network should develop a comprehensive approach to democracy, promote EU values, counter disinformation, and re-engage citizens in democratic practices. A key component is the creation of an online platform to share evidence-based recommendations and innovative solutions. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a total budget of EUR 4,500,000 for the HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 topic, and the action should have a minimum duration of 4 years. The call follows a single-stage application process with a deadline of September 23, 2026. The broader call includes other topics related to democracy, heritage, and transformations, each with its own budget and expected number of grants. This initiative seeks to empower policymakers and researchers with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote and protect democracy, fundamental rights, and EU values across local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Short Summary
Impact Establish a Research and Innovation Network that promotes equality, inclusion, and resilient democratic societies across Europe. | Impact | Establish a Research and Innovation Network that promotes equality, inclusion, and resilient democratic societies across Europe. |
Applicant Academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations with expertise in social sciences and humanities, policy analysis, and democratic governance. | Applicant | Academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations with expertise in social sciences and humanities, policy analysis, and democratic governance. |
Developments Activities focused on democracy, equality, governance, and social sciences, aiming to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations. | Developments | Activities focused on democracy, equality, governance, and social sciences, aiming to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organizations. |
Consortium A consortium of multiple applicants is required to establish the network. | Consortium | A consortium of multiple applicants is required to establish the network. |
Funding Amount €4,000,000 to €4,500,000 for one expected grant. | Funding Amount | €4,000,000 to €4,500,000 for one expected grant. |
Countries EU Member States, EEA countries, and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe, with potential participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries under specific conditions. | Countries | EU Member States, EEA countries, and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe, with potential participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries under specific conditions. |
Industry Horizon Europe, specifically under Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society. | Industry | Horizon Europe, specifically under Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society. |
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The EU funding opportunity HORIZON-INFRA-2026-01-EOSC-01, titled "Uptake of FAIR Data Management Practices and EOSC by Research Communities and Research Infrastructures," is part of the Horizon...
June 16th, 2026
AI4Creatives Support Platform: embracing a fair AI revolution
Call for ProposalForthcoming
The grant opportunity titled "AI4Creatives Support Platform: embracing a fair AI revolution" falls under the Horizon Europe framework, specifically aimed at establishing a European virtual AI support...
September 23rd, 2027
Jean Monnet Actions in the field of Higher Education: Chairs
Call for ProposalOpen
The Jean Monnet Actions in the Field of Higher Education: Chairs opportunity under the Erasmus+ Programme provides a funding opportunity specifically for higher education institutions to establish...
February 3rd, 2026
Call for proposals to National Roma Contact Points
Call for ProposalOpen
This summary presents a grant opportunity available under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, specifically targeting National Roma Contact Points. The grant is designed to enhance...
April 9th, 2026