€ 500 million additional Horizon Europe budget in 2026 and 2027 and two extra calls
The European Commission is making an additional € 500 million available for Horizon Europe in 2026 and 2027. This brings the total budget to approximately € 14.8 billion. The additional funding will be used, among other things, to finance two new cross-sectoral calls, creating new opportunities for companies, knowledge institutions, research organisations and other parties collaborating on innovative solutions.
Additional Horizon Europe budget leads to two new calls
A significant part of the additional budget will be allocated to two new horizontal Horizon Europe calls:
- Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society
- Bridging Actions 2027
These calls do not fall within one specific thematic cluster. Instead, they address broad European research and innovation challenges and therefore span multiple areas.
Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society
A budget of € 237 million will be made available for the ‘Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society’ call. The call comprises eleven research and innovation actions that aim to contribute to the EU’s biodiversity objectives. The focus is on developing and implementing nature-positive economic models.
Through this call, the European Commission aims, among other things, to contribute to the target of allocating 10% of Horizon Europe expenditure to biodiversity. At the same time, the projects should contribute to Europe’s economic and societal resilience and strategic autonomy.
Bridging Actions 2027
A budget of € 260 million will be made available for the new Bridging Actions 2027 call. This call lays the foundations for the future European research and innovation programme for 2028–2034. It supports sixteen actions for advanced technologies with significant commercial potential. The topics range from a European AI Media Platform for news and audiovisual media to autonomous driving in cities.
What does the additional Horizon Europe budget mean for organisations?
The additional budget broadens the funding opportunities available under Horizon Europe. This is particularly relevant for organisations working on research and innovation projects that bring together different sectors and, therefore, different thematic clusters. Moreover, the new calls show that the European Commission is placing a clear emphasis on the transition from research to practical application and investment.
For innovative companies, it is therefore worth looking beyond the traditional Horizon Europe clusters and considering the new horizontal calls as well. It is also important to determine at an early stage whether your innovation project aligns with the objectives and conditions of the specific call.
Prepare in good time for new Horizon Europe opportunities
The additional €500 million and the new horizontal calls create new opportunities for research and innovation projects in 2026 and 2027. Organisations with plans in the fields of biodiversity, advanced technology, AI, mobility or research infrastructures should therefore also take a close look at the new calls.
Would you like to know what opportunities Horizon Europe offers for your research or innovation project? Our specialists would be happy to explore which European funding opportunities align with your plans. Contact us at info@hezelburcht.com or call 088 495 20 00 to arrange an introduction and explore which call is the best fit for your project. You can also fill in the contact form.
