A focused new call is coming

1. Circular economy

One priority is the circular economy. The programme is looking for practical cross-border initiatives that help speed up the move towards a greener economy that uses materials and energy more wisely.

This can include, for example:

• new circular products,
• smarter production processes,
• circular business models,
• knowledge exchange on reuse of resources,
• material cycles,
• raw material transition,
• and circular or smart buildings

1. Einstein Telescope

The second priority is linked to the possible arrival of the Einstein Telescope in the programme area. The focus is not on the scientific side itself, but on the innovation opportunities around it. 

The programme is looking for projects that help SMEs take part in the development of key technologies connected to the Einstein Telescope. These innovations may also create new uses in other sectors and applications. 

This is not a capitalization call, and the budget only allows for a limited number of projects. Only projects that strongly match the two themes should apply.

The proposed budget for this call for projects is EUR 7 million in total. This only allows the programme to approve a very limited number of projects. 

This call is planned as a one-step application procedure. That means applicants will submit a full application straight away, not first a project idea and then a second step. This should make the process faster and help keep the overall timing short.

If your application is submitted on time, quality will be the key factor in the final selection. 

• Publication call documents: beginning of September
• Call opening: 21 September 2026
• Deadline for applications: 16 December 2026
• Selection decision: 17 February 2027

A few important points for applicants:

• The maximum EU funding rate is 60%. Additional regional co-financing is possible.
• Only cost option 3 can be used. This means that you will make use of the simplified cost calculations. For more information, see the Cost Catalogue
• Projects can run for a maximum of 24 months
• The latest possible project end date is 30 September 2029