Horizon Europe funding calls are the key instrument for research and innovation funding in Europe to deal with global challenges. As research and innovation can practically come from anywhere, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also eligible to submit their proposals to this critical source of EU funding.
Approximately 25 million SMEs in Europe represent 99% of European businesses, while 66% of Europeans work in an SME. Speaking of numbers, it is evident that SMEs play a crucial role in European Entrepreneurship and the EU economy.
The Horizon Europe funding calls can significantly help SMEs grow, innovate, and stay competitive. This type of financing is vital to small businesses as they are typically struggling to get finance. As a result, SMEs are more reluctant to spend their money on risky and costly R&D activities.
But if you are not familiar with EU funding in general or specifically with Horizon Europe funding calls, you should know how they are different from the typical SME financing. Finally, in this article, you will also find a list of Horizon Europe open calls from the EUcalls database that SMEs would be interested in.
Horizon Europe Funding Calls is not your Typical SME Financing
SMEs are always in constant need of financing to fund the many aspects of their business. Whether they are just starting or need funds to run or expanding their business, they will never say no to further funding. This is especially true when European funding for SMEs is involved. There are plenty of European funding programmes for SMEs, with even more favourable conditions than traditional financing like receiving a bank loan.
But when we talk about Horizon Europe calls, these do not fall under the traditional funding spectrum. First of all, as Horizon Europe is all about innovation and research, SMEs wishing to receive funding must showcase those qualities. If they do, they are likely to have their proposals accepted and receive European funding to fund their innovative projects with potential breakthroughs and disruptive nature with scale-up potential. However, those projects have to align with the EU priorities set in this multiannual financial framework.
Based on the Horizon Europe programme structure, the programme has 3 Pillars and many clusters of focus based on the set goals and EU priorities. Therefore, there are is a wide variety of Horizon Europe Funding calls that SMEs can explore to find the perfect match.
5 Horizon Europe Funding Calls for SMEs
Title: Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors
Programme: HORIZON-EIE-2021-CONNECT-01-01
Budget: € 500,000
Description: The topic will allow national, regional and/or local authorities from Member States, Associated Countries and/or EU regions in charge of innovation policies and programmes, in cooperation with private and research and innovation actors, to prepare joint multi-annual programmes of activities (action plans) with the aim of strengthening their efficiency, capacities and interconnection and jointly tackle challenges at EU, national, regional and local level.
Deadline: 26/10/2021
Title: Building capabilities in innovation procurement
Programme: HORIZON-EIE-2021-CONNECT-01-02
Budget: € 500,000
Description: Despite legal reforms and incentives in the area of public procurement of innovative solutions, the lack of awareness, skills and knowledge within public and private buyers remains the important problem obstructing implementation of innovation procurement in practice. While there is an overriding necessity to change traditional procurement approaches, the need for dedicated training and guidance, exchange of best practices and capacity building in this area becomes necessary to reveal innovation procurement potential. The proper design of strategies and procedures, in line with the existing legal frameworks, would define marked-oriented proposals, facilitate the implementation of innovation procurement, and ensure its long-term success. Moreover, it will leverage potential new markets and contribute to tackle societal challenges in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Deadline: 26/10/2021
Title: Women TechEU
Programme: HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01-03
Budget: € 75,000
Description: Women TechEU supports early-stage deep tech European start-ups. The initiative complements the activities funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC), paving the way for the participation of their start-ups in future EIC calls.
Women TechEU targets highly innovative start-ups founded, or co-founded by women, holding a top management position (CEO, CTO or equivalent) in the company at the time of submission. The company must be registered and established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country for at least six months at the time of the submission.
All deep tech domains are eligible, with the emphasis being on overall gender balance and the position held by women in the start-up.
Deadline: 10/11/2021
Title: European Partnership on Innovative SMEs
Programme: HORIZON-EIE-2021-INNOVSMES-01-01
Budget: € 72,880,000
Description: The proposal should provide mainly two types of activities. Firstly, regular calls for proposals resulting in collaborative research and innovation activities. These activities should result in a faster time to market, de-risking investment, supporting business growth, contributing to EU and global priorities and supporting access to markets and knowledge. Secondly, through coordination and support activities, the creation of synergies between and synchronization of national programmes, and a better cooperation and knowledge exchange between national intermediaries.
Deadline: 01/09/2021
Title: Increased robotics capabilities demonstrated in key sectors (AI, Data and Robotics Partnership) (IA)
Programme: HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-07
Budget: € 6,000,000
Description: Machine tools include various laser-based technologies such as milling, turning, grinding, laser processing, surface treatment, sintering, forming and additive manufacturing. Projects funded under this topic should integrate state-of-the-art high-power lasers and tailored beams with quality sensors and real time monitoring systems into advanced manufacturing and re-manufacturing tools.
Deadline: 30/03/2022
Make EUcalls your Strategic Ally
The above calls are available both at the Commission’s Funding & tender opportunities and the EUcalls database. Even though you can pretty much do your job at the official European funding & tender platform, EUcalls service remains unmatched. Applying for EU funding requires dedication, effort and experience. Applying to Horizon Europe funding calls through our portal, you can avoid much of its hustle and stop wasting your precious time that you could otherwise dedicate to your innovative projects.
EUcalls is an all-around platform that you can use through all the stages of your proposal. It has a continually updated database with all available EU calls for funding from all funding programmes. At the same time, it also offers networking opportunities with over 6.000 members of our community of EU partners. Additionally, EUcalls boosts ideation and collaboration between EU partners with Idea Pad and provides a personalized matching environment based on your funding targets and needs.
Are you an SME looking for Horizon Europe funding calls to finance your innovations?
Make sure to join EUcalls today by taking advantage of our limited-time summer offer of a 50% discount for all annual standard and tailored plans.
