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Horizon Europe · European Union

European network for upscaling venture builders’ roles in research performing organisations (CSA)

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The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 1 award of €1 million, from a total budget of €1 million. Applications close on 2 Feb 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

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Raised awareness of venture builders’ roles as part of the ecosystem of startup support in research performing organisations, including universities, Research and Technology Organisations and research and technology infrastructures;

• Upscaling or establishment of venture builders’ roles in research performing organisations; and

• Enhanced capacity for sharing resources supporting venture building, exchanging best practices and developing skills needed for successful venture building undertakings in research performing organisations, leading to increased commercialisation of research results (from lab to market).

Scope

A variety of organisations across Europe support start up and spin off creation, including incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, science parks and others. Within this ecosystem, venture builders emerge as playing a double role: on the one hand in building the start-up, drawing on innovative ideas and new technologies at very early stage and bringing together the founding team to create the start up; and on the other hand in providing the support needed to enable the start up to launch and grow in the market.

This action will support research performing organisations, such as universities, Research and Technology Organisations, and research and technology infrastructures, to upscale venture building functions and create venture builders’ roles of different types, depending on the their needs, while fully demonstrating a gender-sensitive approach that takes account of the different barriers faced by women innovators and entrepreneurs across the innovation ecosystem.

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.

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-02-02. 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. This topic is for a single applicant: no consortium is needed (check the topic conditions for who qualifies).
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.

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