← All opportunities

Horizon Europe · European Union

Pillar IV: Upgrading the EU’s independent knowledge on China's Science, Technology and Innovation system

Opens 8 Dec 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 11 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.

Expected outcome

Proposals will deliver on the impact of ‘A more strategic, coherent, and evidence-based approach towards cooperation with China in the area of science, technology, and innovation (STI)’. It contributes toward the ERA Structural Policy “Implementing the Global Approach to R&I cooperation”, while taking into account the ERA Action on “Enhancing research security”.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• Improved understanding and monitoring of China's STI system to support the development of strategic foresight and evidence-based policies, and further bolster the EU’s ecosystem for independent knowledge on contemporary China;

• Innovative interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies are made available to R&I practitioners and policymakers, allowing for improved assessment of critical technology areas where China has achieved or is expected to achieve breakthroughs, and areas where challenges persist;

Scope

This topic aims to support the creation of new knowledge and strengthen expertise and networks in the EU on China’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. It seeks to bolster the EU’s ongoing endeavour to upgrade independent knowledge on contemporary China in Europe [1] , which addresses the need for the EU to understand China on its own terms: not through the lens of external sources, but from its own perspective based on independent EU’s analysis.

This action should bring together think-tanks, universities, research organisations, and expert networks based in eligible countries. Proposals should build on the activities and results of relevant past or ongoing initiatives and projects at European and/or national level [2] . The selected project is expected to closely coordinate with the European Commission during implementation,

To achieve the expected outcomes, proposals should address the activities outlined below and propose any additional, complementary activities:

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule). Country restriction: participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States and the following Associated Countries: Norway and Iceland.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-03-11. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. 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).
5. 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.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

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