Investment and international partnership opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and research organizations.
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has announced the upcoming opening of the 2027 Work Programme under the “Horizon Europe” framework programme. The initiative provides direct access to grants for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tech startups aiming to deploy cutting-edge solutions in manufacturing, raw materials, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The funding is directed toward accelerating the transition to a green and digital economy, enhancing the EU’s technological autonomy, and shortening the path from scientific discovery to market deployment.
Key details you need to know:
| Total budget | €371.3 million |
| Total number of calls | 18 call topics / procedures |
| Opening date | 13 October 2026 |
| Application deadlines | 02 February 2027 (First stage / Single-stage calls)
02 September 2027 (Second stage for two-stage calls) |
Structure and Distribution of Calls
The calls are divided into two main groups:
- Thematic calls under Cluster 4: “Digital, Industry and Space” (15 calls)
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-01 (Raw materials and manufacturing): Innovative processing of critical raw materials, expert networks, new manufacturing technologies, and breakthroughs in the chemical industry.
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-two-stage (Raw materials and strategic autonomy): Two-stage calls focused on energy efficiency/renewable energy sources in process industries (Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU), as well as human-AI synergy for the future workforce (Made in Europe and AI, Data and Robotics).
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-06 (Breakthrough innovations in industry): Radical industrial transformations and new technologies.
- Horizontal and cross-sectoral calls – RAISE initiative (Resource for AI Science in Europe) (3 calls)
- Automated scientific discovery in materials science (HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-01): Budget €26.5 million.
- Automated scientific discovery in the food sector (HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-02): Budget €3 million.
- Data Lab for Science model (HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-04): Development of a data platform/laboratory connected to the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) with a budget of €1 million.
Eligibility and Participation Conditions
Who can apply: Legal entities (universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, public bodies, and NGOs) from EU Member States and Associated Countries.
Consortium requirements: International partnership of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different countries (at least one of which must be an EU Member State).
Types of Actions:
- RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) – for fundamental and applied research.
- IA (Innovation Actions) – for pilot lines, demonstrators, and market uptake.
- CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) – for networks, coordination, and support activities.
Where to follow call procedures and apply: All calls are published centrally on the EU Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal.
