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POLICY ENLARGE Open Call: EUR 300,000 for Cross-Border Research and Innovation Cooperation and Mobility
The Horizon Europe project POLICY ENLARGE is launching its comprehensive Open Call on 9 September 2026 at 12:00 Brussels time, making a total of EUR 300,000 available to strengthen cross-border research and innovation (R&I) cooperation across the enlargement region.
The Financial Support to Third Parties scheme (FSTP) is designed to help research and innovation actors build cross-border partnerships, support the uptake of research results, and strengthen people-to-people cooperation. Up to 45 projects and mobility grants are expected to be supported across three Funding Instruments.
Three Funding Instruments
Through each of the three Funding Instruments, the project aims to build a collaborative research and innovation ecosystem supporting fast-moving startups and specialised researchers in entering the realm of large-scale European Union funding.
Funding Instrument #1: Small Grants for Joint Regional Innovation Actions
Up to EUR 8,000 per project to support the development of collaborative R&I projects, access to EU funding opportunities, R&I management and technology transfer capacities, evidence-based policy reforms, and digital and green transformation.
Funding Instrument #2: Small Grants for Collaborative Uptake of Results
Up to EUR 8,000 per project for joint cross-border activities that support R&I, regulatory, societal or practical uptake of existing results.
Funding Instrument #3: Small Grants for People-to-People Cooperation Projects
Up to EUR 5,000 per mobility grant to support short-term cooperation and mobility involving researchers, artists, creative professionals and entrepreneurs.
Who Can Apply?
The Open Call focuses on the 10 eligible enlargement countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine.
Funding Instruments #1 and #2 require cross-border consortia of at least two independent legal entities established in two different eligible enlargement countries. Funding Instrument #3 supports researchers, artists or entrepreneurs affiliated with independent legal entities and allows cooperation between different enlargement countries, as well as eligible hosting arrangements involving an enlargement country and an EU Member State, Overseas Country or Territory, or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Key Dates for Applications
Applications must be submitted in English through the OnePass platform. The Open Call utilises a continuous submission structure punctuated by periodic evaluation intervals to accommodate diverse project readiness cycles:
Open Call opening: 9 September 2026, 12:00 Brussels time
Cut-off Date 1: 12 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
Cut-off Date 2: 5 May 2027, 17:00 Brussels time
Cut-off Date 3: 3 November 2027, 17:00 Brussels time
Cut-off Date 4 and final call deadline: 3 May 2028, 17:00 Brussels time
Application and Matchmaking Support
POLICY ENLARGE provides matchmaking support and local contact points to help applicants identify cross-border partners and build eligible consortia. Applicants should consult the official Terms and Conditions and applicant guidance available through OnePass before submitting a proposal.
Note concerning Georgia: the call documentation states that, in line with the current EU framework, POLICY ENLARGE support in Georgia is directed to eligible researchers and other permitted beneficiaries. Applicants should consult the official Terms and Conditions for the applicable eligibility rules.
Application and official call documentation: OnePass
Support and enquiries: policyenlarge.helpdesk@fundingbox.com
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