Horizon Europe Collaborative Projects

Unlocking Funding for Horizon Europe Collaborative Projects

Apply for Horizon Europe Pillar II funding: Clusters & Partnerships.

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Horizon Europe Pillar II funding supports collaborative research to address global challenges and strengthen Europe’s scientific and technological leadership.

Whether you’re advancing breakthrough research or developing market-oriented solutions, Horizon Europe Pillar II supports your vision through Research and Innovation Actions (RIA, TRL 2–5) and Innovation Actions (IA, TRL 5–7).

Substantial Funding

Minimum of 70% funding and up to 100% funding depending on project type.

Drive Innovation at Scale

From early research to real-world demonstration.

Expand Your Network

Work with top-tier EU partners.

Enhance Competitiveness

Gain visibility and market access.

€95.5

Total budget for 2025

100%

Funding rate for RIA & CSA

6

Clusters (Pillar II)

70%

funding rate for IA

Key Information

Start your eligibility check now

 

💡 Tip: Begin early—Allow at least 2–3 months for preparation. Calls may follow single- or two-stage evaluation processes.

More about Horizon Europe Pillar II

Horizon Europe is not just one program—it encompasses multiple sub-programs and funding mechanisms under a unified strategic framework.

Horizon Europe is organized into three pillars:

  • Pillar I: Excellent Science (ERC, MSCA, Research Infrastructure)
  • Pillar II: Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness (Clusters and Joint Research Centre)
  • Pillar III: Innovative Europe (EIC, Innovation Ecosystems).

Horizon Europe Pillar II – is the largest component of the EU’s research and innovation programme. It funds collaborative projects that tackle global challenges while strengthening Europe’s scientific and industrial leadership.

It supports transnational consortia to develop new solutions with tangible social, environmental, and economic impact, and is structured into six thematic clusters, each addressing a major area of policy and innovation.

Pillar II also includes European Partnerships and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), which bring together public and private investment to accelerate innovation in key sectors such as clean hydrogen, bioeconomy, and energy transition.

Eligible Horizon Europe Collaborative funding/Pillar II applicants

Projects must be carried out by a consortium of at least 3 independent organizations from three different countries, with at least one from an EU member state. Eligible applicants include:

  • SMEs and startups
  • Universities and R&D institutions
  • Public authorities and municipalities
  • NGOs and nonprofits
  • Large enterprises and corporations

📌 Some calls may specify eligibility restrictions, coordinator roles, or geographic limitations.

Types of funded projects & funding rates

✅ Research and Innovation Actions (RIA)

  • Objective: Generate new knowledge and investigate the feasibility of breakthrough technologies.
  • Funding Rate: 100% of eligible costs (+25% overhead).
  • TRL: Typically 2–5.

✅ Innovation Actions (IA)

  • Objective: Prototype, pilot, validate new solutions and move them closer to market.
  • Funding Rate: 70% (100% for nonprofits) + 25% overhead.
  • TRL: Typically 5–7.

✅ Coordination and Support Actions (CSA)

  • Objective: Facilitate collaboration, knowledge transfer, and policy support.
  • Funding Rate: 100%.
  • TRL: No specific target.
Sectors Covered - Pillar II: Clusters

Within Horizon Europe, RIAs and IAs are especially prevalent in Pillar II, which focuses on addressing global challenges and reinforcing European industrial competitiveness. Pillar II is divided into 6 thematic clusters: 

  • Cluster 1: Health
  • Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society 
  • Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society 
  • Cluster 4: Digital, Industry & Space 
  • Cluster 5: Climate, Energy & Mobility 
  • Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment 
Pillar II Partnerships

Horizon Europe Pillar II also includes the Joint Research Center and partnerships such as

  • Clean Hydrogen Partnership—Accelerates green hydrogen deployment
  • Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)—Supports circular bioeconomy industries
  • Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP)—Funds energy efficiency and storage innovation
Horizon Europe Missions

Horizon Europe also includes a set of Missions—high-impact initiatives aimed at addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing Europe and the world. These missions bring together research institutions, universities, businesses, and public bodies to work toward clear, ambitious goals with measurable results by 2030.

The 5 Horizon Europe Missions are

  • Cancer—Improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities—Support 100 cities in becoming climate-neutral by 2030.
  • Adaptation to Climate Change—Help at least 150 regions and communities become resilient to climate impacts.
  • Restore Our Ocean and Waters—Protect and restore the health of oceans and freshwater ecosystems.
  • A Soil Deal for Europe—Ensure that at least 75% of soils are healthy for food, people, nature, and climate.
Key deadlines

Deadlines for Horizon Europe calls vary by Cluster and Work Programme topic. Upcoming calls for have been published and are available via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

⏳ Plan ahead – some calls follow a two-stage submission process with strict deadlines.

Application process
  1. Find a relevant topic in the Work Programme
  2. Build your consortium
  3. Draft your proposal (Excellence, Impact, Implementation)
  4. Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal
Evalution criteria
  • Excellence—scientific and technical quality
  • Impact—market, societal, and policy impact
  • Implementation—quality and efficiency of execution

How We Support Your Horizon Europe Collaborative Project

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we guide you through every stage of the Horizon Europe application and project lifecycle.
  • We combine strategic insight with technical excellence to help innovators secure the right collaborative funding and manage their projects successfully.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We identify the right Horizon Europe calls, assess project eligibility, and align your innovation with the most competitive funding opportunities. This includes consortium mapping and partner search when needed.

Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Proposal  Preparation

We collect and review all technical and financial documentation, structure the work plan, and prepare the complete proposal package—technical, impact, budget, and administrative forms—ensuring a high-quality submission.

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission & Grant Agreement

We manage the entire submission process and coordinate with the funding agency. After approval, we support all Grant Agreement steps: forms, certificates, validations, amendments, and negotiation with the European Commission.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Project Management

Throughout project execution, we handle monitoring, compliance, milestone declarations, technical and financial reports, audit preparation, verification visits, payment follow-up, and day-to-day administrative communication.

Need support for your Horizon Europe collaborative project?

Our consultants guide you through everything you need to know about Horizon Europe calls, requirements, and winning strategies.

Contact us

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“Evolution’s expertise and guidance were instrumental in securing our funding. Their support throughout the entire process, from crafting the proposal to preparing for the final pitch, was invaluable. It’s the most professional and comprehensive assistance we’ve ever received.”

Paul Kamoun, Director of Spacepharma

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“Evolution was pivotal in improving and refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. Besides, the writing of the proposal was elevated to a very high standard; we could not have achieved this without Evolution’s help.”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

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“At Evolution, we found the expertise and guidance in this domain to identify and target the right programme for us. Getting Evolution alongside was fundamental to ensure peace of mind and keep the start-up team focused on project development.”

Mathieu Horras, CEO, Founder & Board Member of Aspivix

Other funds that might
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LIFE programme

LIFE Programme

Bridge the gap to environmental and climate solutions with EU support.

  • Get funding for pilot, demonstration, and best practice projects in climate, energy, environment, and nature.
  • For public and private entities with innovative solutions aiming to support EU Green Deal goals and environmental legislation.
Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)

CBE Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)

Drive Europe’s transition to a sustainable, circular bio-based economy through public-private collaboration.

  • Up to €5–15 million per project, depending on scope and consortium size.

  • For companies, research organisations, and public bodies developing bio-based innovations, typically at TRL 3–8 depending on the type of action and call topic.
EIC STEP Scale-UP Programme

EIC STEP Scale-Up

Scale your strategic tech company with major EU equity investment through the EIC STEP programme.

  • Get €10–30 million in equity to drive industrial deployment and growth in deep-tech or critical technologies.
  • For startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps with technologies at TRL 6–9, aiming to scale in key strategic areas for Europe.

magazine

The ultimate guide to
securing R&D funding in
Europe

  • How to identify the best funding opportunities for your project
  • Learn strategies top innovators use to secure grants, navigate complex
    applications, and maximize funding potential.
  • Proven tips for writing winning grant proposals

Download now and boost your funding success!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Horizon Europe collaborative calls.

What is the Horizon Europe programme?

A €95.5B EU programme funding research and innovation projects aligned with Europe’s climate, digital, and industrial goals.

What type of funding does Horizon Europe provide?

Horizon Europe provides non-repayable grants to support research and innovation projects. The programme funds a wide range of activities — from early-stage research to market-ready innovation — depending on the type of action (funding scheme): RIAs, IAs or CSAs.

What will replace Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe runs through 2027. The EU is expected to launch a follow-up (FP10) after this period.

Is New Zealand part of Horizon Europe?

Yes. As of 2023, New Zealand is associated and eligible to participate.

What are the clusters in the Horizon Europe?

Clusters are thematic funding areas in Pillar II of Horizon Europe, focusing on global challenges like health, climate, and digitalization.

What is the TRL required to apply to Horizon Europe Collaborative calls?

Horizon Europe collaborative projects typically fund technologies between TRL 3–8, depending on the project type. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) focus on early-stage research (TRL 2–5), while Innovation Actions (IA) support prototype and demonstration phases (TRL 5–7). Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) have no specific TRL requirement.

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