Call Reforming and strengthening the EU research and innovation system (hereinafter referred to as ERA 2026) is open under the Horizon Europe program (work program published HERE). Under the Horizon Europe program, the European Commission seeks to support efforts to reform the EU's research and innovation system by implementing structural changes, improving access to excellence, and deepening the European Research Area. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 12, 2026.
The current ERA 2026 call covers a total of eight thematic areas. These include, for example, accelerating reforms in open access and research evaluation; citizen engagement; and the European Hackathon Championship for Citizens. These topics are interesting not only in terms of introducing best practices or institutional changes, but also for broader involvement in the ERA.
This is a great opportunity for various types of organizations—universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations, government organizations, civic volunteer organizations, civil society organizations, and civic associations.
The recording and presentation from the online information day on the ERA 2026 call, organized by the European Commission on December 11, 2025, are available here.
An online partner meeting was also held in December, and the platform will remain open until the call deadline.
The Czechia-Slovakia Information Day on the ERA call will take place on January 29, 2026 (for more information, including registration, see here).
Identifiers and topics:
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-01 Pillar I: Accelerating reforms in open access and research evaluation in the ERA
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-02 Pillar I: Building institutional capacity for an ethical, fair, open, and inclusive ERA
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-03 Pillar II: Strengthening ecosystems for an open, ethical and sustainable ERA
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-04 Pillar II: Pilot innovative approaches to support academic start-ups and spin-offs
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-05 Pillar III: Supporting citizen engagement for more responsible and democratic research and innovation
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-06 Pillar III: European Hackathon Championship for Citizens
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-07 Pillar III: Science Comes to Town 2028
HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-06-ERA-08 Pillar IV: Developing knowledge for the ERA
Source: horizontevropa.cz , rea.ec.europa.eu