Apply now for Excellence Hubs Coordination and Support Actions Grant

Deadline: 04-Mar-2027

The European Commission’s Excellence Hubs Coordination and Support Actions support consortia in Widening countries to build sustainable, cross-sector regional research and innovation (R&I) ecosystems. Projects can receive funding at a 70% rate, run for up to 5 years, and support joint R&I strategies, investment plans, pilot projects, knowledge transfer, skills development, and stronger collaboration between academia, business, government, and society.

About the Excellence Hubs Initiative

The Excellence Hubs initiative aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems in Europe’s Widening countries. The initiative addresses differences in research and innovation performance between European regions by helping less-developed R&I ecosystems build stronger institutional capacity, partnerships, investment opportunities, and innovation capabilities. Excellence Hubs bring together four key groups: - Academia and research institutions - Businesses and industry - Public authorities and government - Societal actors and local communities The objective is to create sustainable regional R&I ecosystems that can continue developing beyond the funded project period. What Does the Excellence Hubs Call Support? The call supports projects that develop and implement joint research and innovation strategies across participating regional ecosystems.

Funded projects are expected to:

- Strengthen regional R&I ecosystems - Build long-term cross-sector partnerships - Develop joint R&I strategies - Create common investment plans - Leverage multiple sources of funding - Implement pilot projects - Improve academia-business collaboration - Strengthen knowledge transfer - Develop research and innovation skills - Engage local communities - Increase R&I intensity - Support institutional and structural change Projects should demonstrate how these activities will improve the competitiveness and sustainability of participating regional innovation systems. What Is a Regional R&I Ecosystem? A regional research and innovation ecosystem is a network of organisations and stakeholders that contribute to research, technology development, entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation within a region. Under the Excellence Hubs approach, an effective ecosystem connects: Research institutions + businesses + public authorities + society The goal is to move beyond isolated projects and create stronger long-term cooperation between these groups. Smart Specialisation Strategies Excellence Hubs should align their activities with relevant regional or national smart specialisation strategies. Smart specialisation focuses investment and innovation activities on areas where a region has existing or emerging strengths and opportunities. Projects should therefore demonstrate how their proposed R&I activities contribute to the participating regions’ existing innovation priorities. Key Activities Supported

1. Joint R&I Strategy Development

Consortia should develop long-term research and innovation strategies involving participating ecosystems.

These strategies should identify:

- Shared regional challenges - Common R&I priorities - Opportunities for collaboration - Potential innovation pathways - Long-term capacity-building needs

2. Cross-Border Cooperation

The initiative requires collaboration between R&I ecosystems located in different Widening countries. Cross-border cooperation can help regions: - Exchange expertise - Share research capabilities - Develop joint innovation activities - Access wider networks - Create new partnerships

3. Academia-Business Collaboration

Projects should strengthen connections between academic and research institutions and businesses.

Activities may support:

- Joint research - Technology development - Knowledge transfer - Commercialisation - Industry-research partnerships - Innovation skills

4. Common Investment Plans

Projects are expected to develop common investment plans that can leverage multiple funding sources. This approach is intended to help participating ecosystems combine different public and private funding opportunities to support longer-term R&I development.

5. Pilot Projects

Consortia should implement pilot activities aligned with their regional innovation strategies. Pilot projects can demonstrate how the proposed R&I strategies work in practice and generate evidence for future investment and scaling.

6. Knowledge Transfer and Skills Development

Projects should strengthen the ability of regional stakeholders to create, share, and apply knowledge.

Activities can include:

- Training - Skills development - Knowledge exchange - Research collaboration - Innovation capacity building - Technology transfer

7. Community and Societal Engagement

Excellence Hubs should involve local communities and societal stakeholders. Inclusive participation helps ensure that regional innovation strategies address real societal needs and that the benefits of innovation reach a broad range of stakeholders. Funding Available The Excellence Hubs Coordination and Support Actions provide funding at a 70% rate of eligible costs.

Key funding information includes:

- Funding rate: 70% of eligible costs

- Maximum project duration: Up to 5 years

- Third-party financial support: Permitted under specific conditions

- Maximum support per third party: EUR 60,000

- Eligible third parties: SMEs and start-up companies

The remaining eligible project costs must be covered through the beneficiaries’ contribution and other permitted sources. Financial Support to SMEs and Start-Ups Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties under the project.

This support is limited to:

- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Start-up companies - A maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party This mechanism can help regional ecosystems involve innovative smaller companies and support the development or testing of new solutions. Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is focused on consortia coordinated by legal entities established in Wid