Cross-Pillar: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area

A fourth 'transversal' element

In addition to its three ‘pillars’, Horizon Europe also includes the cross-pillar element 'Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA)'. Actions under this element support the overall objectives of the ERA and contribute to building the research and innovation capacity of Member States, Associated Countries and Outermost Regions which underperform in terms of R&I performance.

This fourth element is divided into two areas:

1. Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (WIDERA)

Provides actions for countries which are less developed in terms of their R&I profile.

2. Reforming and enhancing the European Research and Innovation system

Supports efforts to reform and enhance the EU R&I system.
Addresses themes such as ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ (RRI), Gender Equality and Open Science.

See the UKRO webpage on WIDERALink opens in a new window.

See the EU webpages on WIDERA.Link opens in a new window

European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Link opens in a new windowActions

Horizon Europe also funds COST Actions - interdisciplinary research networks for researchers, innovators and other professionals based in Europe and beyond to collaborate on research topics of their choice for up to 4 years.

Whilst COST does not fund research directly, it provides funding for networking activities. COST supports both applications to join an existing COST action as a participant and also proposals for new COST actions via the 'COST Open CallLink opens in a new window'. Proposals can be submitted to the Open Call at any point in the year with a recurring annual proposal collection date applying. The next collection date is 23 October 2024.

The UK is a full member of COST and its eligibilityLink opens in a new window is independent of association to Horizon Europe.

Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence

Calls are grouped under the two destinations: 'Improved access to excellence' and 'Attracting and mobilising the best talent'.

Improved access to excellence

Teaming Twinning

Provides funding to strengthen a defined field of research in an ‘emerging institution’ by linking it with at least two internationally leading counterparts for short term staff exchanges; expert visits and training; workshops; conference attendance or organisation of joint summer school type activities.

Calls currently open:

N/A

Pathways to Synergies

The purpose of this action is to provide support for additional efforts required for setting up the interfaces between two different funding systems where major barriers still occur due to the mismatches of regional versus European approach, consortium vs single beneficiary funding and Horizon thematic priorities vs national/regional smart specialisation.

Calls currently open:

N/A

Dissemination and Exploitation Support Facility Hop on Facility

Provides funding to improve the capacities for low R&I performing Member States by allowing them to join already selected collaborative R&I actions.

Calls currently open:

Call name	Call ID	Deadline
Hop-on Facility	HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-06-01	26 Sep 2024

Excellence Hubs

Attracting and mobilising the best talent:

ERA Chairs ERA Chairs ERA Fellowships ERA Talents

Support for R&I talents and organisations for cross-sectoral exchange of staff, with a focus on widening countries.

Calls currently open:

Call name	Call ID	Deadline
ERA Talents	HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-TALENTS-03-01Link opens in a new window	26 Sep 2024

See the 2023-24 Work ProgrammeLink opens in a new window.

See all open and forthcoming 'Widening Participation and spreading excellence' calls on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Reforming and Enhancing the European R&I system

This area is split under 4 strands:

1. Prioritising investments & reforms

Policy Support Facility

2. Translating R&I results into the economy

Standardisation Booster
IP Management

3. Improving access to excellence

Networking & training for research managers

4. Deepening the ERA

Calls addressing e.g. Open Science, Citizen Engagement, Science Education, Gender Equality, Ethics and Integrity

Additionally, this Destination also includes the Horizon Impact Award and the EU Award for Gender Equality ChampionsLink opens in a new window.

See the 2023-24 Work ProgrammeLink opens in a new window.

See all open and forthcoming 'Reforming and Enhancing the European R&I system' calls on the Funding & Tenders Portal.