Horizon Europe European Union
Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies
This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering: • Fully programmable industry-ready quan…
Horizon Europe · European Union
Create a thriving and competitive Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 ecosystem (CSA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership)
Opens 17 Nov 2026
The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 1 award of €3 million, from a total budget of €3 million. Applications close on 18 Mar 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.
- Deadline
- 18 Mar 2027 (in 123 days)
- Opens
- 17 Nov 2026
- Grant amount
- €3 million per project
- Funding rate
- 100% of eligible costs Standard rule for this programme; the call can differ.
- Total budget
- €3 million
- Expected awards
- 1
- Type of action
- HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions · HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based
- Likely applicant types
- Companies, SMEs / start-ups, Non-profits, Universities & research, Public bodies From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
- Funder
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
- Reference
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02
- Call
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-04
- Last checked
- 14 Nov 2026
Expected outcome
The co-programmed European Partnership for Virtual Worlds will help to develop and promote a thriving industrial and end-user ecosystem in the EU, covering all the aspects of the virtual worlds value chain. It will also actively engage with industrial and societal sectors to provide access to a broad range of resources, including funding, expertise and technology.
Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
• The delivery of a revised and updated Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Virtual Worlds in Europe, for useful, open, interoperable, inclusive, sustainable and trustworthy virtual worlds systems and applications, ensuring these reflect EU values and principles.
• Strengthening of the European Virtual Worlds Partnership by providing continuous support.
• Reinforcement of the competitive ecosystem, with European companies playing a leading role in the adoption and acceptance, and in the development and deployment of Virtual Worlds technologies.
Read the full text
• Reinforced links among initiatives in virtual worlds in Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme, and other programmes at EU, national and regional levels.
• Widespread awareness and outreach programmes.
• Increased adoption of virtual worlds that are open, accessible and inclusive, interdisciplinary, safe and respect ethical values and European legal framework, including regarding privacy, security in all Member States and Associated Countries.
• Strengthening and promotion of standardisation methods for virtual worlds technologies and in support of the EU regulatory framework.
Scope
The objective of the CSA is to further develop and reinforce the community by strengthening and supporting the Virtual Worlds Partnership and its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Virtual Worlds (SRIA). The CSA will also lay the grounds for a strong and inclusive network bringing together academia, industry, public actors and end-users, including major industrial European sectors and all relevant stakeholders. The CSA will ensure close coordination at regional, national and European level.
The CSA will also strongly continue to promote the adoption of Virtual Worlds technologies and solutions in all Member States and Associated Countries, with particular emphasis on geographical aspect and across the value chain.
To this end, the CSA will develop and implement outreach programmes aiming at better understanding and raising awareness to create acceptance and trustworthiness of Virtual Worlds solutions.
Read the full text
The CSA will also support standardisation efforts to support the uptake of interoperable, open, trustworthy and ethical Virtual Worlds solution, by mobilising and bringing stakeholders together and, when needed, organising European representation in existing or new standardisation working groups in support of the Commission regulatory framework.
Proposals should involve and be driven by representatives of the relevant actors of the field (e.g., academia, RTOs, industry including SMEs).
The Commission considers that proposals with an overall duration of typically 36 months would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other durations.
Proposals should involve the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and SSH experts, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.
This CSA should be prepared, managed and coordinated by key stakeholders in this field and directly support the Virtual Worlds Partnership.
This topic is implemented through the co-programmed European Partnership for Virtual Worlds and all proposals are expected to allocate tasks to cohesion activities with the Partnership on Virtual Worlds and funded actions related to this partnership, including the CSA: HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-HUMAN-17.
This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Virtual Worlds.
Who can apply
A single organisation from an EU Member State or associated country can apply (Horizon Europe standard rule).
Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.
Topics
Computer graphics, computer vision, multi media, computer games Coordination Ethics European Legal Framework Strategic research awareness competitive ecosystem deployment innovation interdisciplinary open outreach safe standardisation
Timing
Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-03-18. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).
How to apply
- Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
- Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
- This topic is for a single applicant: no consortium is needed (check the topic conditions for who qualifies).
- Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
- Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.
From the call text
- Who can apply
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Company stage
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Single applicant or consortium
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where applicants must be based
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where to apply
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
Where these facts come from
| Fact | Value | How we know | Taken from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 18 March 2027 “Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-03-18. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).” | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Amount per applicant | Unknown — not stated in the source we hold | unknown | — |
| Total budget | €3 million | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Funding rate | 100% of eligible costs | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Who can apply | A single organisation from an EU Member State or associated country can apply (Horizon Europe standard rule). | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Where to apply | Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route. | read from the official text | 15 Nov 2026 |
Official sources
Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.
More from Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe European Union
Next-Generation QKD Systems
This action will strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in quantum-secure communications by advancing core QKD technologies and integration capabilities. Expected results…
Horizon Europe European Union
Quantum Experimental Pilot Lines for Quantum Technologies
This action will strengthen Europe's leadership and strategic autonomy in quantum technologies by advancing experimental pilot line capacities as a vital stepping stone t…
Horizon Europe European Union
Quantum-Testing Infrastructure for Quantum Technologies
This action will establish a pan-European open-access testing and experimentation infrastructure for quantum technologies, enabling systematic validation and certificatio…
Horizon Europe European Union
Superconducting Platform Technologies
This action will consolidate Europe’s position in superconducting quantum computing through: • Establishment of a full-stack superconducting quantum computer aiming at 1.…