The European partnership ‘Driving Urban Transitions’ has launched its fifth international call for proposals, DUT Call 2026. The call aims to support international research projects that seek to help cities transition to a more sustainable economy and way of functioning. Approximately 49 million euros is available for collaborative projects that accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient future. The deadline for submitting short proposals is 17 November 2026.
International consortia will be able to submit projects in three thematic areas:
- Positive Energy Districts (PED)
- 15-minute City (15mC)
- Circular Urban Economies (CUE)
As in previous years, Czech applicants will be able to participate in the first two of the aforementioned thematic areas:
Positive Energy Districts Pathway (PED):
- Cross-cutting topic: Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
- Sustainable PEDs, flexibility in energy systems, and integrated technologies
15-Minute City Pathway (15mC):
- Cross-cutting topic: Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
- Align ambitions for mobility transitions across sectors
Projects may be submitted by international project consortia comprising at least three eligible partners from at least three participating countries (of which at least two must be EU Member States or associated countries). Projects must be funded by at least three different participating funding bodies. The project consortium may be supplemented by additional partners from other countries, provided they secure their own funding. The total amount of funding available from TA ČR under this call for Czech applicants in international projects is EUR 600,000. The maximum amount of funding per project (for its Czech component) will be EUR 150,000.
List of countries and funding bodies involved in the call*:
Belgium (FIO/VLAIO), the Czech Republic (TA CR), Denmark (IFD), Estonia (ETAG), Finland (BF), France (ANR), Croatia (HRZZ), Lithuania (LMT), Latvia (LCS), Hungary (NKFIH), Germany (DLR), the Netherlands (NWO, SIA), Norway (RCN), Poland (NCBR), Portugal (CCDR Centro), Austria (FFG), Romania (UEFISCDI), Slovakia (CVTI SR), Slovenia (ARIS), Spain (AEI, CDTI), Sweden (FORMAS, SWEA), Switzerland (SNSF), Turkey (TUBITAK).
The call is governed by international rules common to applicants from all participating countries. In addition to the international rules, Czech applicants must also meet the national conditions set by the relevant national funding body. Applicants participating in applied research projects will therefore have to meet national conditions based on the SIGMA Programme (Sub-objective 4 – International Cooperation).
The DUT Partnership is organising an information webinar for all interested parties, which will take place on 9 September 2026 from 10.00 to 13.00. Further information can be found here.
Useful links
- DUT Call 2026 – official text of the call
- DUT Call 2026 website
- TA ČR website – latest information on the call