A Horizon Europe Funding Category
Horizontal Activities is Horizon Europe’s name for cross-cutting activity. There are two main sets of topics in the 2026-27 Work Programme:
Horizontal call – R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal
The Clean Industrial Deal confirms Europe’s dedication to its decarbonisation goals by offering clear business incentives. It will help create lead markets to boost supply and demand in clean tech and energy-intensive industries (such as chemicals, cement, steel and metal), enabling the decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness of Europe at the same time. An integral focus is to support the acceleration of the roll-out of clean energy and industry decarbonisation solutions, to develop sectoral transition pathways and to reinforce a circular economy.
The main aim of this call is to support the development of a new generation of demonstrators in clean tech and decarbonised industry that combine technological excellence with market readiness with a view to accelerating their market deployment.
The call will follow a bottom-up and industry-led approach to maximise the impact on competitiveness and decarbonisation across EU industrial sectors (e.g. decarbonised industries, energy and transport), allowing for cross-sectorial system integration and a market-driven R&I response to industry needs. Accordingly, the call will consist of two large open topics focusing on: 1) Clean Tech for Climate; and 2) Decarbonisation of Energy Intensive Industries. A complementary call of EUR 50 million in support of the Clean Industrial Deal is included in the Research Fund for Coal and Steel.
Horizontal call – AI in science
As pilots for the European Commission’s recently announced RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) initiative, a package of EUR 100 million for five new topics aims to foster interdisciplinary breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and scientific discovery. This budget comes from Clusters 4 and 6.
Two topics will support the creation of Thematic Networks of Excellence in AI in Science, bringing together leading institutions in materials science, agriculture, and environmental pollution to share knowledge and build robust, cross-sector collaboration on AI in science.
Two further topics will fund the development of Automated Labs for AI in Science, targeting key application areas in materials science and food research, enabling faster, data-driven experimentation and innovation.
The last topic will establish Doctoral Networks (modelled after the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action) to train a new generation of researchers in AI-driven scientific methods across all disciplines.
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Unless otherwise provided for in the specific call/topic conditions, only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in Horizon Europe actions provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
- at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State;
- and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries (this includes the UK).
Our European team can help you find eligible partners to form a consortium.
There may be further eligibility conditions for specific topics. Please check the Work Programme and contact our team to ensure your eligibility before applying.
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Single-stage calls opening 18 Dec 2025, deadline 15 Sep 2026
- HORIZON-CID-2026-01-01: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships). c.€15m-€25m per project for up to 8 projects.
- HORIZON-CID-2026-01-02: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Clean Technologies for Climate Action (IA). c.€15m-€25m per project for up to 8 projects.
Single-stage calls opening 12 Jan 2027, deadline 15 Sep 2027
- HORIZON-CID-2027-01-01: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships). c.€15m-€25m per project for up to 8 projects.
- HORIZON-CID-2027-01-02: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Clean Technologies for Climate Action (IA). c.€15m-€25m per project for up to 8 projects.
IA – industrial action: for technologies which are near market readiness. For-profit consortium members can have up to 70% of eligible costs covered.
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Single-stage call opening 6 Jan 2026, deadline 21 Apr 2026
- HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-01: Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science (RAISE pilot) (RIA). c.€15m for a single project.
- HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-02: Thematic Networks of Excellence for AI in Science – Agriculture and Environmental Pollution (RAISE pilot) (RIA). c.€12.8m for a single project.
Single-stage calls opening 22 Sep 2026, deadline 2 Feb 2027
- HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-01: Automated Scientific Discovery (RAISE pilot) (RIA). c.€10m per project for 3 projects.
- HORIZON-RAISE-2027-01-02: Automated Scientific Discovery – Food (RAISE pilot) (RIA).c.€3m for a single project.
Single-stage calls opening 28 May 2026, deadline 24 Nov 2026
- HORIZON-RAISE-2026-01-03: RAISE Doctoral Networks for AI in Science (RAISE pilot)
- TMA Doctoral Networks
- TMA Doctoral Networks – Industrial Doctorates
- TMA Doctoral Networks – Joint Doctorates
- Total budget €30m across all three areas
RIA – research and innovation actions, usually 100% of eligible costs covered.