The current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) runs from 2021 to 2027, and its final years bring some of the most significant funding opportunities of the entire period. For organisations active in research, innovation, climate, energy, transport, health and digital transformation, the remaining calls under Horizon Europe, LIFE, the Innovation Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility and related programmes represent a last substantial window within this MFF cycle. Below, we outline the programmes to watch and explain why timely, well-prepared applications matter and how the Hezelburcht EU grant calendar can help you have an overview of the upcoming deadlines.

Horizon Europe: the final work programmes of this cycle

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, and the final work programmes of the current MFF covers 2026 and 2027. It spans the full breadth of the programme’s structure: Pillar I (European Research Council grants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and research infrastructures), Pillar II (the six thematic clusters covering health, culture, creativity and inclusive society, civil security, digital industry and space, climate energy and mobility, and food and bioeconomy), and Pillar III (the European Innovation Council and European innovation ecosystems).

Notably, this final work programme introduces new horizontal calls that cut across thematic boundaries, targeting priorities such as the Clean Industrial Deal, AI uptake in scientific research, and Europe’s broader resilience and competitiveness agenda. This is a shift from the more siloed cluster-based approach of earlier years, and it opens funding routes for organisations whose activities span multiple domains.

For the EIC specifically, the Accelerator, Pathfinder and Transition instruments remain central routes for SMEs and scale-ups developing breakthrough or high-risk innovations, while Eurostars continues to support market-oriented R&D collaboration between SMEs across participating countries.

LIFE Programme: environment and climate action

The LIFE Programme continues to fund projects in nature and biodiversity, circular economy and quality of life, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, including clean energy transition. As the programme approaches the end of its current cycle, calls increasingly emphasise scalable, replicable solutions and stronger links with national and regional implementation of EU environmental and climate legislation.

Innovation Fund: scaling low-carbon technology

The Innovation Fund remains one of the largest global funding instruments for bringing innovative low-carbon technologies to commercial scale, financed through the EU Emissions Trading System. Its calls span large-scale flagship projects as well as small-scale and pilot projects, covering areas such as energy-intensive industry decarbonisation, renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. Given the scale of investment typically involved, early positioning and a robust business case are essential for applicants.

Connecting Europe Facility: transport, energy and digital infrastructure

CEF Transport continues to support the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network, including alternative fuels infrastructure through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) and its Reflow calls, as well as digitalisation of transport and safety improvements. CEF Energy supports cross-border energy infrastructure aligned with the EU’s energy transition and security objectives, while CEF Digital backs connectivity and digital infrastructure projects of European interest.

Other programmes to keep on the radar

Several other instruments remain relevant for organisations planning ahead within this MFF period:

• Digital Europe, supporting AI, cybersecurity, high-performance computing and digital skills at scale.
• Clean Hydrogen Partnership for hydrogen research projects
• CBE JU for circular and bio-based products
• Interreg for cross border projects that contribute to the EU

Why the closing years of the MFF matter

As the current MFF nears its end, competition for remaining calls tends to intensify and work programmes become more targeted. At the same time, discussions on the next MFF (from 2028 onwards) are already underway, and some current calls include explicit “bridging” elements intended to connect ongoing activities to the next programming period. Organisations that build a strong track record now are typically better positioned for the transition to the next framework.

Stay on top of upcoming calls

Have a view on our EU grant calendar, containing some key grant schemes with their opening dates, deadlines, focus areas and more. It gives you a quick overview of what is going on in final period of the current MFF. Note: there are many more funding schemes and calls. These are just a few highlighted grant schemes. For guidance tailored to your specific situation, please contact our specialists.

Would you like to have personalised advice on the EU programmes in 2026 and 2027? Please contact us via info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in our contact form.

Contact form