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HE WP 2026 – 2027: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area” (WIDERA) calls published

On December 11, the European Commission published the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, focused on “Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area” (WIDERA).

The WB 2026 – 2027 programme has two main pillars:

  • Widening participation and spreading excellence
  • Reforming and enhancing the European research and innovation system

It also includes Prizes, Grants to identified beneficiaries, Public Procurement, External Expert Actions, and other actions outside competitive calls (e.g., COST). This builds on the 2020 Communication on a New ERA for Research and Innovation, which aimed to strengthen Europe’s R&I landscape, support climate neutrality, digital leadership, and post-pandemic recovery, while enhancing resilience against future crises. The 2024 ERA implementation report reviews progress and identifies areas for further action. Complementary initiatives, such as the 2022 New European Innovation Agenda, European Strategy for Universities, and the 2025 Competitiveness Compass, further drive innovation, talent development, and European competitiveness.

The WIDERA component seeks to reduce R&I disparities and foster a cohesive, integrated European R&I ecosystem, while the reform and enhancement pillar supports the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda. Aligned with the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 and the European Commission’s 2024-29 Policy Guidelines, the Work Programme strengthens Europe’s capacity to tackle global challenges and boost competitiveness.

On January, 26, the European Commission, in cooperation with the Research Executive Agency and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, organised an info day to inform interested applicants about the calls under the Destination “Widening participation and spreading excellence” of the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-27 (recording of the event). This destination aims to tackle the R&I gap to move towards a truly integrated and cohesive R&I ecosystem in the European Union, addressing especially the third priority area of the Pact for Research and Innovation.
The call topics include Teaming Synergies, Twinning, Hop-on Facility, Research Management Facility, ERA Fellowships, ERA Chairs and Research Managers, EIC Pre-Accelerator and Excellence Hubs. First calls opened in January 2026. Speakers from the European Commission presented the key novelties and specificities of each of the call topics. They were joined by speakers from the executive agencies to answer questions participants may have in relation to each call.

The Western Balkans are active participants in WIDERA, particularly in calls intended to increase their research excellence and integration into the European research landscape. The participation is heavily geared toward bridging the innovation gap, enhancing ICT/digital skills, and supporting the Green Deal and digital transformation. However”participation” does not mean they are eligible for all specific, tailored, or restricted calls of the programme. Some calls might be restricted to specific types of “Widening” countries (e.g., EU-13) or have specific consortium requirements, meaning they cannot participate in absolutely every single sub-call, but rather in those that allow “Associated Countries” or “Third Countries”.

Find below the list of calls included in the Programme. We are still analysing the calls and this page is under development. Thus, after having identified calls of your interest, please verify personally if your organisation is eligible or not.

You can in general search for open calls at the Funding and Tenders Portal

  • Teaming Synergies (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-01) – 1 topic:
  • Twinning (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-02) – 1 topic:
  • Hop-on Facility (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-03) – 1 topic:
  • Research Management Facility (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-04) – 1 topic:
  • WAS Fellowships (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-05) – 1 topic:
  • Enhancing the European R&I system (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06)
    Opening: 10 December 2025
    Closing: 12 March 2026
    8 topic:
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-01: Pillar I: Accelerating open access and research assessment reforms in ERA (CSA)
      Budget: 6 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-02: Pillar capacities I: Building institutional for ethical, equitable, open, and inclusive ERA (CSA)
      Budget: 9 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-03: Pillar II: Strengthening ecosystems for open, ethical, and sustainable ERA (CSA)
      Budget: 6 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-04: Pillar II: Piloting innovative approaches to support academic startups and spinoffs (CSA)
      Budget: 4 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-05: Pillar III: Fostering citizen engagement for more responsible and democratic R&I (CSA)
      Budget: 2 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-06: Pillar III: European Citizens’ Hackathon Championship (CSA)
      Budget: 3 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-07: Pillar III: Science comes to town 2028 (CSA)
      Budget: 6 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-08: Pillar IV: Advancing Knowledge for ERA (RIA)
      Budget: 16 million
  • Pre-accelerator EIC – Widening (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-01) – 1 topic:
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-01-WIDENING01: EIC Pre-accelerator – Widening (CSA)
      Budget: 40 million
      Opening: 5 May 2027
      Closing: November 18, 2027
  • ERA Chairs and Research Managers (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02)
    Opening: 6 April 2027
    Closed: 14 September 2027
    2 topic:
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING01: ERA Chairs (CSA)
      Budget: 175 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING02: ERA Research Managers (CSA)
      Budget: 65 million
  • WAS Fellowships (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-03) – 1 topic:
  • Excellence Hubs (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-04) – 1 topic:
  • Enhancing the European R&I system (HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05)
    Opening: 8 December 2026
    Closing: March 11, 2027
    5 topic:
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-01: Pillar I: Facilitating development of institutional open access policies through retention of intellectual property rights (CSA)
      Budget: 2 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-02: Pillar II: Talent ecosystems for early attractive research careers (CSA)
      Budget: 29 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-03: Pillar III: Science comes to town 2029 (CSA)
      Budget: 6 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-04: Pillar III: Promoting public engagement in R&I and scientific literacy (CSA)
      Budget: 2 million
    • HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-05: Pillar IV: Upgrading the EU’s independent knowledge on China’s Science, Technology and Innovation system (RIA)
      Budget: 3 million

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