Horizon Europe 2026/2027 work programmes update

Increased funding for the 2026/2027 work programmes

The European Commission has updated some Horizon Europe work programmes for 2026 and 2027. The revised work programmes include research and innovation funding opportunities in areas such as:

• health
• culture, creativity and inclusive society
• civil security
• digital, industry and space
• climate, energy and mobility
• food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and the environment
• research infrastructures
• European innovation ecosystems
• EU missions and the New European Bauhaus

The work programmes for the European Innovation Council and European Research Council have not changed.

Read the updated Horizon Europe 2026/2027 work programmes.

Businesses, researchers and other organisations planning to apply should check the revised information, as some call budgets and application deadlines have changed.

New €500 million in cross-cutting funding calls

The update includes €500 million for two new horizontal activities funding calls:

• Transformative Change Towards a Nature-Positive Economy and Society (NATURE) - with a budget of €237 million
• Bridging Actions 2027 (BRIDGING) - with a budget of €260 million

The NATURE call will support research and innovation projects that contribute to EU biodiversity goals. It includes topics on the impact of clean and digital industries on biodiversity, and ways to speed up positive change for nature.

The BRIDGING call will help prepare for the EU’s next research and innovation programme, expected to run from 2028 to 2034. Topics include artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital platforms for affordable, secure and sustainable energy systems, and skills for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.

Some new horizontal activities calls are expected to open in October 2026, with deadlines in January 2027.

Information and networking events

The European Commission is holding information days to explain upcoming funding opportunities. These include:

• Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space - 14 to 15 October 2026
• Horizontal activities: Nature and Bridging - 16 October 2026
• Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility - 19 November 2026
• Cluster 1: Health - 26 November 2026

Find a list of Horizon Europe info days and register to attend.

Brokerage events and online partner-search platforms are also available to help organisations find project partners.

Get support with a Horizon Europe application

Local businesses can contact Horizon Europe Northern Ireland Contact Point (NICP) support network for advice on developing an idea, finding partners and preparing a Horizon Europe proposal.

Invest Northern Ireland can also offer support through their Innovation Funding Advisory Service, help identify suitable calls and introduce you to specialist NICP advisors.

If you are new to Horizon Europe, or could benefit from a refresher, join one of Innovate UK's monthly Introduction to Horizon Europe webinars.

First published 1 October 2026