The role of private companies in democracy

The funding opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-07: The Role of Private Companies in Democracy" falls under the Horizon Europe program. It specifically addresses the complex relationship between private companies and democratic governance, aiming to understand and mitigate the influence of corporations on democratic processes while promoting responsible corporate behavior.

Eligible applicants predominantly include research organizations, universities, and research institutes with a strong focus on social sciences and humanities, especially in political science. The financial support is structured as a lump sum grant under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), with a total budget of €8 million earmarked for two projects, each receiving approximately €3.5 million to €4 million.

The application process is open and follows a single-stage submission format, with proposals due by September 23, 2027. All projects must collectively investigate issues related to corporate lobbying, accountability, transparency, and the intersection of corporate influence with democratic values. The research should focus on how corporate actions can affect human rights, public interest, and policy-making, emphasizing the importance of a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach.

Geographically, eligible participants include institutions from EU Member States, EEA countries, and others with specific arrangements. Notably, the call explicitly encourages partnerships among multiple entities from different countries, reflecting the typical requirements for Horizon Europe projects.

Funding is provided fully by the EU, with no co-funding required from beneficiaries. Past trends suggest a competitive landscape with success rates estimated between 5-10%. Resources for applicants, including application forms and guidance, are accessible through the Horizon Europe funding portal. The opportunity aims to foster a deeper understanding of corporate power dynamics within democratic governance frameworks and encourage structured dialogue to empower civil society against undue corporate influence.

This EU funding opportunity, under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targets the complex relationship between private companies and democratic governance. The call, titled "The role of private companies in democracy," aims to foster a better understanding of corporate influence on democratic processes and outcomes among EU and national policymakers, civil society organizations, and citizens. The goal is to develop strategies and policies that mitigate negative effects, promote responsible corporate behavior, and protect democratic values.

The scope of the research includes investigating the influence of large corporations, business lobbying groups, and external actors on democratic processes. It emphasizes the implications of corporate power on democratic values, diversity, equality, inclusion, human rights, and the public interest. The research should extend to the impact of private companies on multilateral decision-making at the EU level and analyze how corporate interests shape decision-making processes transnationally.

Particular attention should be given to corporate lobbying, public-private partnerships, corruption, and undue influence from the private sector. The call also highlights the importance of investigating direct interferences by corporations, such as spreading disinformation and steering behaviors, which can normalize extremist actors and discourses.

The call encourages proposals that critically examine the structural power of capital and promote structured dialogue among business actors, citizens, regulators, and watchdog organizations. It also suggests investigating the influence of private companies on democratic governance, including their involvement in sortition-based citizens' panels. A gender-sensitive and intersectional approach is required to analyze how corporate actions impact individuals’ rights differently based on their identities.

Applicants are encouraged to identify and collaborate with other relevant EU-funded projects. The term "private companies" refers specifically to large undertakings, multinational corporations, and industry and tech platforms, excluding SMEs.

The call is structured around several topics, each with a specific budget, action type, and indicative number of grants:

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-01: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 3,500,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 EUR, with one indicative grant.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with three indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with three indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 20,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with five indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-05: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with three indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-06: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with three indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-07: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with two indicative grants.

HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-08: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. Contributions range from 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with three indicative grants.

There are also calls for HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) under the topics of HERITAGE and TRANSFO.

The planned opening date for the submission system is May 13, 2027, and the deadline for submissions is September 23, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant.

The general conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation, award, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, call-specific instructions, and additional documents are available in the Submission System and the Funding & Tenders Portal.

This funding opportunity seeks to address the growing concerns about the influence of large corporations on democratic processes and governance. It aims to support research and innovation that will provide policymakers, civil society organizations, and citizens with the tools and knowledge necessary to promote responsible corporate behavior, uphold transparency and democratic accountability, and ensure that private companies serve the needs of democracy and the public good. The emphasis on a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach ensures that the research considers the diverse impacts of corporate actions on individuals’ rights. By encouraging collaboration and structured dialogue, this call aims to foster inclusive and accountable governance frameworks that reflect diverse interests and promote transparency in the relationship between private companies and democratic governance.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, NGOs, public entities, and potentially private companies (especially large undertakings and tech platforms as specified in the context). SMEs are explicitly mentioned as not being the focus of this particular call.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, for both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and the encouragement of collaboration with other EU-funded projects, a consortium is highly probable and encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The text also mentions that non-EU/non-associated countries may have specific provisions for funding their participants.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: democracy, culture, creativity, inclusive society, political decision-making, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, data protection, privacy, civil rights, rights of minorities, lobbying, public-private partnerships, corruption, disinformation, and corporate governance. It focuses on the intersection of these sectors with the influence of private companies.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity refers to EU member states and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation actions, suggesting projects should be in the research, development, or validation stages. Coordination and support actions are also mentioned, which implies projects can also be in the networking and collaboration stages.

Funding Amount: The funding range varies depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CSA: €3,000,000 to €5,000,000
HORIZON-RIA: €2,500,000 to €4,800,000
HORIZON-IA: €3,000,000 to €3,750,000

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 a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight.

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

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, part of the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society pillar, focuses on "The role of private companies in democracy." It seeks to fund research and innovation actions (RIA) and coordination and support actions (CSA) that investigate the complex and often contentious relationship between private companies, lobbying groups, and democratic governance. The call aims to foster a better understanding of corporate influence on democratic processes, develop tools to assess the democratic impact of corporate practices, and identify strategies for responsible corporate behavior. Projects should contribute to evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, enhance transparency, and empower civil society to hold corporations and policymakers accountable. The call encourages interdisciplinary approaches, gender-sensitive research, and collaboration with other EU-funded projects. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying budgets depending on the specific action type (CSA or RIA). The application process is a single-stage submission, and eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, nonprofits, and potentially large private companies from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other countries with specific funding provisions. The call emphasizes the need to address the risks and benefits of private sector involvement in policymaking, particularly on sensitive topics such as climate change, environmental protection, data protection, and human rights.