Joint Call Thematically Open 2026 (Luxembourg)

The Joint Call Thematically Open 2026 supports high-impact applied research and development projects that bring together companies and public research organizations in Luxembourg. The programme provides up to €500,000 for eligible research organizations through the FNR and up to €500,000 for eligible companies through the Ministry of the Economy to accelerate breakthrough innovations, strengthen industrial R&D capabilities, and develop new applications, services, and technologies. What Is the Joint Call Thematically Open 2026? The Joint Call Thematically Open 2026 is designed to strengthen collaboration between industry and public research institutions in Luxembourg. The call supports projects that can translate scientific and technological advances into practical industrial applications and generate tangible value for Luxembourg’s economy.

Its main objectives are to:

Accelerate breakthrough innovations within company R&D processes. Support high-quality applied research and development. Strengthen cooperation between companies and research organizations. Develop new technological capabilities. Create innovative applications and services. Strengthen companies’ scientific and technical expertise. Support Luxembourg’s position as an innovation and research hub. Contribute to national strategic priorities. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The call supports collaborative projects focused on industrial research and/or experimental development. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between research and practical innovation.

Potential outcomes may include:

New technologies. Innovative products. New applications. Advanced services. Improved industrial processes. New technological capabilities. Commercially relevant research outcomes. Stronger internal R&D capabilities within participating companies. The programme is intentionally thematically open, meaning projects can address a broad range of scientific and technological areas as long as they meet the call’s eligibility and scope requirements. Why the Joint Call Matters The programme is designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial innovation. Companies can gain access to advanced scientific expertise and research capabilities, while research organizations can work on challenges with direct industrial relevance. Applications must be submitted by a consortium involving both industry and research partners.

A consortium must include:

At least one eligible participating company. At least one FNR-eligible research organization. The partnership should demonstrate meaningful collaboration between private and public-sector participants. Contributions from the private and public parties should be balanced as closely as possible. Role of Companies Eligible participating companies are expected to contribute to the collaborative research and development project. The project should have clear relevance to the company’s innovation or R&D activities. The collaboration should help the company strengthen its expertise and develop new technological capabilities or applications. Role of Research Organizations The research organization must be eligible under the FNR requirements. Research partners contribute scientific and technical expertise to the project and participate in the industrial research and/or experimental development activities. The research component should have clear potential for practical application and impact. How Much Funding Is Available? The call provides funding through two complementary sources. FNR Research Funding The Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR) will provide eligible Luxembourg research organizations with up to: €500,000 per project Ministry of the Economy Company Funding The Ministry of the Economy will co-finance eligible companies with up to: €500,000 per project The company funding covers eligible project-specific costs according to the applicable funding rules. Together, the two funding streams can provide substantial support for a collaborative industry-research project. What Costs Are Not Eligible? A key restriction is that PhD student costs and their research are not eligible under this call. Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed budget does not rely on funding PhD students or PhD-related research activities through this programme. Other costs must comply with the applicable FNR and Ministry of the Economy eligibility requirements. What Research Activities Are Supported? Projects must focus on one or both of the following: Industrial research Experimental development Industrial Research Industrial research involves planned investigation and research aimed at developing new knowledge and capabilities that can contribute to the development of new or improved products, processes, or services. Experimental Development Experimental development focuses on using existing knowledge and research findings to develop or improve products, processes, or services. Projects should demonstrate a credible pathway from research and technological development toward practical application. What Projects Are Excluded? Projects must not overlap with subjects already covered by other thematically focused Joint Calls launched in 2026. Applicants should therefore carefully check whether their proposed research falls within another thematic call before submitting an application. Projects centered on PhD student research are also not supported under this call. How to Build a Strong Consortium A strong consortium should bring together complementary capabilities.

The company should contribute:

A clearly defined industrial challenge. Relevant internal R&D expertise. Knowledge of market or application requirements. Resources for project implementation. A pathway toward practical application. The research organization should contribute: Relevant scientific expertise. Research infrastructure. Technical knowledge. Research personnel. Capacity to conduct the proposed industrial research or experimental