Horizon Europe 2025: new calls for projects now open

Horizon Europe aims to strengthen the European Union's scientific and technological excellence, boost competitiveness and create jobs. Projects are generally carried out by international consortia including companies, research centres and other players from several European countries.

More specifically, the Horizon Europe 2025 work programmes under Pillar II (Innovation actions) are organised around six thematic clusters:

• Cluster 1: Health
• Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society
• Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society
• Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space
• Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, and Mobility
• Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment

Many topical calls for proposals follow a single-stage application process, while others require a two-stage approach, with second-stage deadlines scheduled for April 2026.

An increasing number of topics now apply the lump sum funding model, which simplifies budget preparation and financial management. In 2025, for example, all topics under Cluster 2 will be funded using lump sums.

Submission step by step

The following six steps outline the general process leading to proposal submission:

1. Identify your topics of interest – Contact Luxinnovation, the National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe, for help in identifying relevant calls that correspond to what you want to do. We can also provide insights into past funded projects with outcomes that could feed into your proposal, and help you place your project ideas in the European policy context to prove their relevance for funding.
2. Attend Horizon Europe Info Days – These online sessions inform potential funding applications about the topics covered by the calls issued under the different clusters.
3. Participate in brokerage events – These events, held online or in person, are designed to facilitate consortium building. They include information sessions, pitch presentations of consortia in the process of being set up, and opportunities for bilateral meetings with potential partners preparing for the 2025 calls.

Brokerage events are organised for each of the six clusters:

• Cluster 1 brokerage event
• Cluster 2 brokerage event
• Cluster 3 brokerage event
• Cluster 4 brokerage events
• Cluster 5 brokerage event 
• Cluster 6 brokerage event

We recommend that you register early and activate your meeting profile available on the matchmaking tool that participants can use to pre-arrange one-on-one meetings with potential partners. Providing detailed information on your areas of activity and expertise and your topics of interest and filling out a detailed cooperation profile increases your chances of connecting with the right people.

4. Use the European Commission databases on Cordis – These databases offer access to project information, funding statistics, and lists of high-performing entities across various domains that might be good partners. We can provide support in navigating these resources.
5. Engage with specialised European networks to find potential partners and position your project proposal strategically – Examples include:
   • Adra (AI, Data and Robotics Association) – A major platform promoting collaboration between research, industry and public stakeholders.
   • CUSP (European research cluster) – A cluster uniting five large-scale research projects across 21 countries, focused on the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs).
   • EUCAIM (EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages) – A federated infrastructure designed to support cancer imaging and artificial intelligence applications.
   • The Cultural Heritage Cloud – An EU initiative aimed at building a shared digital infrastructure for cultural heritage institutions and professionals.

Numerous other networks and technology platforms exist. Contact us to know more about the networks that can be relevant for you.

6. Get inspired by successful Horizon Europe projects involving Luxembourg-based organisations – Several national stakeholders have already contributed to impactful projects under Pillar II. Check out who they are and what they have already done.