Funding opportunities

The DUT Call 2025 supports transnational research and innovation projects that help cities address urban challenges and transition towards a carbon-neutral and resilient future. Funded by the European Commission (Horizon Europe) and national agencies, this is the fourth call of the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership. Proposals must contribute to one or more of the three Transition Pathways: 15-Minute City (15mC), Circular Urban Economies (CUE), and Positive Energy Districts (PED), promoting holistic and systemic approaches that integrate social, technological, and governance innovation. The participation of municipalities or local authorities is mandatory.

Applications open on 1 September 2025, with a pre-proposal deadline on 17 November 2025 (13:00 CET) and a full proposal deadline on 23 April 2026 (13:00 CEST). Selected projects are expected to start between September 2026 and January 2027.

Período de candidaturas: De 2025-09-01 a 2025-11-17

The Peer Review Call of the European Urban Initiative (EUI), open from 8 October to 18 November 2025, aims to support urban authorities in improving the design and implementation of their Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) strategies co-financed by the ERDF – Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1058.

Each Peer Review brings together one “city under review” and up to six “peer cities” from other Member States, fostering mutual learning, benchmarking, and the exchange of good practices.

The activities include a self-assessment, a 2–3-day in-person event, and technical follow-up support to help implement the recommendations. The events will take place in the first half of 2026 and are fully funded by the EUI.

Período de candidaturas: De 2025-10-08 a 2025-11-18

The call, launched by the European Commission under the NDICI – Global Europe programme, supports partnerships between think tanks from the European Union and the United Kingdom, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding, and supporting the EU’s policy priorities in the UK and globally. The projects should focus on collaborative research, policy debates, advocacy, capacity building, and cooperation networks on shared strategic issues.
The application period is open until 30 January 2026 (12:00 p.m., Brussels time), with mandatory submission via PROSPECT.

Período de candidaturas: De 2025-10-20 a 2026-01-30

The call, managed by EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency), is part of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, funded by the ERDF, and supports projects that strengthen the innovation capacities of less developed, transition, or outermost regions, helping them integrate into European value chains and prepare future applications under I3 Strands 1 and 2a. The operations should create more connected regional innovation ecosystems, strengthen the role of SMEs, and align regional smart specialisation (S3) policies with the EU’s strategic priorities for competitiveness, green transition, and digital transformation.

The application period runs from 23 October 2025 to 19 March 2026 (5:00 p.m. CET).

Período de candidaturas: De 2025-10-23 a 2026-03-19

The call supports projects that develop innovative solutions applicable to the audiovisual sector and to at least one of the following cultural and creative sectors: music, books, or museums. The objective is to foster new forms of creation and cooperation among creative industries, exploring emerging technologies (AI, big data, blockchain, virtual worlds, NFTs) and sustainable practices aligned with the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus initiative. It aims to promote the digital and green transition, enhance the competitiveness and visibility of cultural content, and increase the diversity and reach of European audiences.

The application period runs from 23 October 2025 to 23 April 2026 (5:00 p.m. CET).

Período de candidaturas: De 2025-10-23 a 2026-04-23