Strengthening of the European Science for Policy Ecosystem

The grant opportunity titled "Strengthening of the European Science for Policy Ecosystem" falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the call HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-06. This initiative aims to enhance the interface between scientific research and policymaking in Europe, particularly focusing on creating a strong and interconnected science-for-policy ecosystem that fosters evidence-informed policymaking across various sectors and governance levels.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, NGOs, public bodies, and other entities involved in science-for-policy activities, such as knowledge brokers and policymakers. The application process requires a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from different Member States or Associated Countries, emphasizing collaborative efforts.

The primary funding mechanism for this grant is through HORIZON Action Grants, with a focus on Coordination and Support Actions. The indicative funding amounts range significantly, with projects expected to secure between €1.5 million and €2 million, depending on the specific topic of the call.

The scope of the project targets various activities aimed at advancing science-for-policy integration, such as nurturing communities of practice, providing operational support to networks of science policy correspondents, creating observatories for mapping practices, and developing publicly accessible outputs like policy briefs and guidelines. The projects are anticipated to run for a maximum duration of three years.

The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline set for September 18, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The overall objective is to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, improve connectivity between research and policy, and promote the adoption of science-based approaches in policymaking.

The grant aims to not only strengthen the involvement of Widening countries, which may have fewer resources, but also to ensure that scientific evidence is considered across different governmental levels, thus contributing to the identification of common challenges and the exchange of best practices within the European research community.

Proposals should reflect a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, integrating gender-sensitive approaches and focusing on mutual learning among participants. The success rates for applications are projected between 10% and 39%, reflecting the competitive nature of Horizon Europe's funding landscape.

Overall, this initiative underscores a strategic push to integrate scientific insights into policy frameworks effectively, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public policies throughout Europe.

This is a Horizon Europe call, Enhancing the European R&I system (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06). The call aims to strengthen the European Science for Policy (S4P) ecosystem to better support evidence-informed policymaking across sectors and governance levels. The type of action is HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The call is currently open for submission as a single-stage process. The opening date was 15 May 2025, and the deadline for submission is 18 September 2025, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The successful proposal should deliver a more robust and interconnected European Science for Policy (S4P) ecosystem that better supports evidence-informed policymaking across sectors and governance levels. Project results are expected to contribute to: Increased connectivity of S4P actors and networks, enhancing interactions, mutual learning, collaboration, capacity building, and promotion of S4P practices and knowledge, while also strengthening pan-European and international ecosystems. S4P approaches are mainstreamed in national R&I policy institutions at all levels of governance through coordinated efforts and mutual learning across Europe. The concept of “Science for Policy” is further developed and widely adopted among S4P stakeholders and actors through identification of best practices, guides, and frameworks at different levels of governance and across thematic sectors.

The scope of the call is to use the best available scientific evidence, knowledge, and expertise to inform policymaking, aiming to achieve better public policies. By integrating science into policymaking, governments and organizations can make better-informed decisions and develop effective strategies that are grounded in a deeper understanding of complex and interconnected issues.

The objectives of this action are to: Further develop the concept of “Science for Policy” and improve the cross-cutting integration of scientific evidence and knowledge in public policies. Advance and strengthen the European S4P ecosystem across sectors and governance levels. Promote the collaboration of networks of relevant actors and foster the identification and exchange of best practices and mutual learning.

The main focus of the funded project should be to carry out the following activities:

1. Nurturing and animating a Science for Policy Community of Practice that, working with other relevant existing networks and communities of practice, will identify and bring together interested S4P actors and stakeholders to enable the identification of common concepts, challenges and approaches, the exchange of information, ways of working and good practices; mutual learning and competence sharing and exchanges, and the promotion of S4P across Europe and beyond. The community of practice must engage and involve S4P stakeholders and actors (scientists, academia, intermediaries and knowledge brokers, science advisors, policymakers/political authorities, civil society organisations, etc.) at all levels of governance. The community of practice should also encompass an international dimension. The community of practice must be facilitated by appropriate digital collaboration tools, including an active online presence. It must remain open to new stakeholders and interested parties all along the process. A dedicated governance body should be set up to coordinate closely with the Commission to ensure good policy alignment and communication. Additionally, and in close collaboration with the community of practice, events, training and peer learning activities must be organised to strengthen skills and competences, enable the engagement and collaboration of S4P actors and networks, and to amplify the impact and reach of the community of practice.

2. Providing operational support to the Network of Science for Policy Correspondents, to be set up by the Commission in the second quarter of 2025. The network will bring together officials working on S4P in national R&I policy institutions across Europe with the aim to coordinate efforts to mainstream S4P approaches in their respective administrations at all levels of governance and foster mutual learning across countries. The support must include logistical assistance such as organising key meetings, agenda development, and facilitation of events employing effective participatory and inclusive methods.

3. Creating an observatory of the European S4P landscape and its practices with the collaboration of both the network and the community of practice. The exercise should map the institutional landscape by developing or making use of an appropriate taxonomy that builds on relevant existing initiatives, frameworks and Commission activities. In addition, in the first half of the project, a repository of good S4P practices and use cases must be established, including a toolkit and an analysis of success factors and common challenges of operating at the science-policy interface, to be kept up to date throughout the project.

4. Regularly convening the network, the community of practice, and other interested stakeholders to discuss how to create the necessary conditions to enable effective engagement between research and policy and to support the production and uptake of scientific evidence, knowledge, and expertise in policymaking. This may focus on specific thematic areas to explore how S4P approaches are implemented in specific sectors (e.g., sustainable food systems, energy transition). Such dialogues are encouraged to also take place in alignment with Council presidencies.

5. Developing publicly available outputs (policy briefs, factsheets, resources and instruments for practitioners, etc.) in support of the above activities and promoting and disseminating the outcomes and results of the action to target groups through the deployment of a comprehensive communication strategy. These materials and tools should be widely disseminated and made available to the network and the community of practice.

Overall, proposals should implement a multi-actor approach and demonstrate a commitment to disciplinary and geographical diversity and gender-sensitive approaches in all activities. It is expected that the applicants have experience in the field of science for policy, as well as in organisation and facilitation of participatory multi-actor processes and events.

To ensure complementarity, proposals should capitalise and build on relevant Commission S4P initiatives, such as the Mutual Learning Exercise ‘Bridging the Gap between Science and Policy’ and the work of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre on S4P competencies and skills and institutional capacity building, and other relevant initiatives like the Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation. With its expertise in institutional, individual and community capacity building for S4P, the JRC may support the consortium in delivering the expected outcomes and assure complementarity of the project with public administration reforms conducted in several Member States under the Technical Support Instrument. The duration of this action should not exceed 3 years.

The admissibility conditions include: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and proposal page limits and layout described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other eligible conditions include: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding. Applications must be submitted by a consortium including participation, as beneficiaries, of at least three independent legal entities: Each established in a different Member State or Associated Country; and Two of which are established in a Member State. These are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System. The standard application form is (HE CSA). Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, and the standard evaluation form is (HE CSA). Guidance is available in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) are available in the HE MGA.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for the year 2025 is as follows:

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-01 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 26,000,000 EUR, Contributions 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 13.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-02 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-05 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 4,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-06 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1.

HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-07 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 6,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1.

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This Horizon Europe call focuses on strengthening the connection between science and policy within the EU. It aims to create a more robust and interconnected ecosystem where scientific evidence effectively informs policymaking. The call encourages projects that foster collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, promoting the use of scientific knowledge in creating better public policies. The funded projects should establish communities of practice, support networks of science advisors, and create observatories to map and share best practices. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to ensure that EU policies are well-informed, evidence-based, and capable of addressing complex challenges across various sectors. Consortia applying for this call should include at least three independent legal entities from different Member States or Associated Countries, with expertise in science for policy and multi-actor engagement.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include scientists, academia, intermediaries and knowledge brokers, science advisors, policymakers/political authorities, civil society organisations, and other relevant networks, including the European Science Advisors Forum (ESAF), the European Parliamentary Technology Assessment network (EPTA) and the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) amongst others, as well as intergovernmental organisations (e.g., UN, OECD). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding. Applications must be submitted by a consortium including participation, as beneficiaries, of at least three independent legal entities.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. There are also HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) available.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. Applications must be submitted by a consortium including participation, as beneficiaries, of at least three independent legal entities. Each entity must be established in a different Member State or Associated Country, and two of the entities must be established in a Member States.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sector is Science for Policy (S4P), which aims to use the best available scientific evidence, knowledge, and expertise to inform policymaking. This encompasses various thematic areas, including sustainable food systems and energy transition, and addresses policymaking at EU, national, and subnational levels.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions Member States and Associated Countries in the context of consortium requirements. It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that may have specific provisions for funding.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on development, implementation, and coordination, rather than basic research or initial idea generation. The activities involve nurturing communities of practice, providing operational support, creating observatories, convening stakeholders, and developing publicly available outputs.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-01: EUR 26,000,000 (EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 13 grants)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-02: EUR 2,000,000 (around EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-03: EUR 2,000,000 (around EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-04: EUR 2,000,000 (around EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-05: EUR 4,000,000 (around EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-06: EUR 2,000,000 (around EUR 2,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06-ERA-07: EUR 6,000,000 (around EUR 6,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

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 rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, Enhancing the European R&I system (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06), aims to strengthen the European Science for Policy (S4P) ecosystem. It seeks to create a more robust and interconnected network that supports evidence-informed policymaking across various sectors and governance levels. The call includes several topics, each with a specific focus and budget, ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 26,000,000. The main activities to be carried out include nurturing a Science for Policy Community of Practice, providing operational support to the Network of Science for Policy Correspondents, creating an observatory of the European S4P landscape, convening stakeholders, and developing publicly available outputs. Eligible applicants include scientists, academia, policymakers, and civil society organisations, and applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from different Member States or Associated Countries. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline of 18 September 2025. The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based, with the duration of the action not exceeding 3 years. The call emphasizes a multi-actor approach, disciplinary and geographical diversity, and gender-sensitive approaches in all activities.