Open Call: Transatlantic Policy Partnership and Think Tank Initiative (US)

Deadline: 03-Dec-2026

The European Commission is supporting US-based non-profit think tanks to strengthen EU-US partnerships, deepen mutual understanding, and promote European Union perspectives in policy debates across the United States. The call aims to establish stronger networks between European and US think tanks and encourage sustained engagement across a wide range of transatlantic and global policy issues. The total funding available under the call is €3 million, distributed through two funding lots. Lot 1 provides grants of €650,000 to €1 million, while Lot 2 offers grants ranging from €400,000 to €500,000. The initiative seeks to reinforce the partnership between the European Union and the United States through collaboration with US-based think tanks.

It aims to:

The programme encourages collaboration and research across a broad range of transatlantic and global policy issues.

Priority areas include:

These areas reflect the broad range of issues relevant to EU-US cooperation and transatlantic leadership. One of the priorities of the initiative is to strengthen bipartisan networks in the United States. Think tank partnerships are expected to help facilitate dialogue and engagement across political and policy communities while supporting deeper understanding of European perspectives. The programme aims to strengthen the EU’s presence in US policy discussions. Through collaboration with US think tanks, the initiative seeks to promote EU perspectives in policy debates at both the federal and sub-federal levels. The programme encourages sustained engagement with current and future US decision-makers. Think tanks can contribute by building policy networks, facilitating dialogue, developing research, and identifying areas where EU and US stakeholders can work together. The call provides funding through two separate lots based on geographic and policy focus. Lot 1 targets think tanks located in the DMV area, covering D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, as well as work focused at the federal level.

Grants under Lot 1 range from:

Lot 2 focuses on think tanks operating at the sub-federal level outside the DMV area.

Grants under Lot 2 range from:

The total funding available under the call is €3,000,000. The funding is intended to support activities that strengthen EU-US cooperation through partnerships between think tanks and encourage collaborative responses to shared global challenges. US and EU think tanks are expected to work together to identify areas for joint action.

The collaboration aims to support:

The initiative therefore places emphasis on partnership rather than isolated think tank activities. Eligible applicants must be non-profit think tanks legally established in the United States. The lead applicant must be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the proposed action. Applicants should have the organisational capacity to manage the proposed activities and participate in the required EU-US cooperation. Co-applicants and affiliated entities may participate in the proposed action as specified in the call guidelines. Applicants should therefore follow the applicable requirements regarding the role and participation of partner organisations and affiliated entities. The initiative is intended to strengthen the role of think tanks in transatlantic policy discussions. By encouraging collaboration between US and EU think tanks, the programme supports the development of joint responses to global challenges and seeks to reinforce EU-US cooperation and leadership. They are grants supported by the European Commission to help US-based non-profit think tanks strengthen EU-US partnerships, deepen mutual understanding, and promote EU perspectives in US policy debates. The call has a total funding allocation of €3 million. Lot 1 grants range from €650,000 to €1 million. Lot 2 grants range from €400,000 to €500,000. Lot 1 targets think tanks in the DMV area, covering D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and focuses on engagement at the federal level. Lot 2 focuses on think tanks working at the sub-federal level outside the DMV area. Non-profit think tanks legally established in the United States can apply, provided they meet the requirements of the call. The lead applicant must be a non-profit think tank legally established in the United States. US and EU think tanks are expected to collaborate under the initiative. Yes. Co-applicants may participate as specified in the call guidelines. Yes. Affiliated entities may participate as specified in the call guidelines. The programme covers areas including trade, economic and energy security, defense, hybrid warfare, space, cybersecurity, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital governance, climate and environmental issues, democratic resilience, migration and security, and shared values and fundamental freedoms. Yes. Federal-level engagement is a focus of Lot 1. Yes. Lot 2 focuses on think tanks working at the sub-federal level outside the DMV area. The main objective is to deepen EU-US engagement and mutual understanding while strengthening transatlantic cooperation and promoting EU perspectives in US policy debates. The EU-US Think Tank Partnership Grants provide significant funding to US-based non-profit think tanks working to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and promote deeper engagement between the European Union and United States. With €3 million in total funding, the call supports two types of activities: Lot 1 focuses on DMV-area and federal-level think tanks, with grants of up to €1 million, while Lot 2 focuses on sub-federal think tanks beyond the DMV area, with grants of up to €500,000. The initiative encourages US and EU think tanks to collaborate on major policy challenges, strengthen bipartisan networks, engage current and future decision-makers, and develop joint responses that reinforce EU-US cooperation and transatlantic leadership. For more information, visit European Commission.