Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026 - 2027 Online, Many Calls Launching Early Spring in 2026

The 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme has recently been adopted by the European Commission and is the last Work Programme of the 2021 - 2027 period. Although many calls will open for submission only early next year, several opportunities of Info Days are available and we have listed those under our Conference & Funding section, here.

The 2026-2027 Work Programme is "designed to drive research and innovation (R&I) across the EU's strategic goals. These goals include achieving climate neutrality, boosting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and innovation, and ensuring resilience in a rapidly changing world".

European Commission | Press Release

At SPOTTERON, we know that Citizen Science & Public Engagement is key to supporting the goals for a sustainable future. With user-oriented Citizen Science Apps and a wide range of interactive features Community Engagement is a reality! We at SPOTTERON are happy and proud of joining teams across the world to fulfill this possibility. We also recognize the importance of decentralized AI integration in Citizen Science projects and train customized models to provide image analysis and object/species identification for Citizen Science Apps. More details regarding our contribution to Horizon Europe partnerships available here:

Pillar II of Horizon Europe: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness

Pillar II under Horizon Europe programme, namely - Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness - includes six clusters contributing to Sustainable Development Goals:

Cluster 1: Health

Cluster 1 aims to "include improving and protecting the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases". Source & more information: Cluster 1: Health - Research and innovation - European Commission

^{>> Opening in February 2026}

Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society

Cluster 2 "aims to strengthen European democratic values, including rule of law and fundamental rights, safeguarding our cultural heritage, and promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth". Source & more information: Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive society - Research and innovation

^{>> Opening in May 2026}

Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society

Cluster 3 "responds to the challenges arising from persistent security threats, including cybercrime, as well as natural and man-made disasters". Source & more information: Cluster 3: Civil security for society - Research and innovation

^{>> Opening in March 2026}

Cluster 4: Digital, Industry & Space

"The overarching vision behind the proposed investments under Cluster 4 is that of Europe shaping competitive and trusted technologies for a European industry with global leadership in key areas, enabling production and consumption to respect the boundaries of our planet, and maximising the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe". Source & more information: Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space - Research and innovation

^{>> Opening in March 2026}

Cluster 5: Climate, Energy & Mobility

Cluster 5 "aims to fight climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts and opportunities, and by making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly, more efficient and competitive, smarter, safer and more resilient". Source & more information: Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility - Research and innovation

^{>> Opening in December 2025}

Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment

Cluster 6 "aims at reducing environmental degradation, halting and reversing the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and sea and better managing natural resources through transformative changes of the economy and society in both urban and rural areas". Source & more information: Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment - Research and innovation

^{>> Opening in April 2026}

Are you exploring opportunities to engage with Citizen Science digital tools for your project? We are happy to contribute in early building of the project idea and working together to create a more sustainable future!