POLICY ENLARGE: Small Grants for Joint Innovation Initiatives

Deadline: 12-Nov-2026

The POLICY ENLARGE Small Grants for Joint Regional Innovation Actions provide up to €8,000 per Third Party Project to support cross-border research and innovation collaboration among eligible actors in EU enlargement countries. The grants aim to strengthen regional cooperation, improve participation in EU research and innovation programmes, and support digital, green, and evidence-based transformation across the region.

About POLICY ENLARGE

POLICY ENLARGE is an initiative focused on strengthening cooperation and integration among research and innovation actors in EU enlargement countries. The Small Grants for Joint Regional Innovation Actions are designed to help organisations from different eligible countries work together on collaborative research and innovation activities. The funding supports internationalisation, regional cooperation, improved research and innovation management, and greater involvement of eligible countries in EU research and innovation policy making. What Does the Funding Support? The grants support cross-border activities that contribute to research and innovation development in the region.

Eligible activities may include:

- Developing collaborative research and innovation projects. - Building access to EU research and innovation funding opportunities. - Strengthening research and innovation management capacities. - Improving technology transfer capabilities. - Supporting evidence-based research and innovation policy reforms. - Advancing digital transformation. - Supporting green transformation. - Strengthening cooperation between research and innovation actors across eligible enlargement countries. - Improving internationalisation and participation in European R&I initiatives. Funding Available The programme provides small grants for joint regional innovation actions.

Key funding details include:

- Maximum grant: €8,000 per Third Party Project.

- Maximum funding per third party: €4,000.

- Maximum funding rate: Up to 80% of justified eligible costs.

- Expected number of funded projects: Up to 15.

- Maximum project duration: 6 months.

- Application language: English.

- Submission platform: OnePass portal.

The funding is intended to cover justified eligible costs associated with the approved project. Who Is Eligible? The call is open to a range of research, innovation, business, academic, and non-profit actors established in eligible EU enlargement countries.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Companies. - Research organisations. - Academic research groups. - Non-profit organisations. - Digital Innovation Hubs. - European Digital Innovation Hubs. - Other relevant research and innovation actors. Consortium Requirements Applicants must form a cross-border consortium to participate in the funding opportunity.

The consortium must:

- Include at least two independent legal entities. - Have the participating entities established in two different eligible enlargement countries. - Demonstrate genuine cross-border collaboration. - Carry out activities that align with the objectives of the POLICY ENLARGE initiative. This means that organisations from the same country cannot form the required consortium on their own. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain organisations and individuals connected to POLICY ENLARGE cannot receive financial support as third parties.

Ineligible recipients include:

- POLICY ENLARGE partners. - Affiliated entities of POLICY ENLARGE partners. - Employees involved in project execution. - Associates involved in project execution. Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility rules before submitting a proposal. What Is the Purpose of the Funding? The Small Grants for Joint Regional Innovation Actions are intended to strengthen the regional research and innovation ecosystem.

The funding can help organisations:

- Establish international research and innovation partnerships. - Prepare collaborative projects for larger EU funding opportunities. - Improve research and innovation management. - Strengthen technology transfer. - Develop regional innovation cooperation. - Contribute to evidence-based policy development. - Support digital and green transformation. - Increase participation in European research and innovation activities. Project Duration Projects supported under the call can last for a maximum of six months. Applicants should therefore propose activities that can realistically be completed within this timeframe. The short project duration makes the funding particularly suitable for focused collaborative activities, project development, capacity building, and preparation for future research and innovation opportunities. How to Apply Applications must be submitted in English through the OnePass portal before the relevant cut-off date.

Applicants can follow these steps:

- Check country eligibility: Confirm that all consortium members are established in eligible EU enlargement countries.

- Build the consortium: Form a partnership of at least two independent legal entities from two different eligible enlargement countries.

- Confirm organisational eligibility: Check that each participating organisation falls within an eligible applicant category.

- Define the joint action: Clearly describe the research, innovation, capacity-building, policy, digital, or green transformation activity to be undertaken.

- Establish the expected outcomes: Explain what the project will achieve and how it will strengthen regional research and innovation cooperation.

- Prepare the budget: Calculate justified eligible costs and ensure that the requested funding complies with the €8,000 project maximum, €4,000 per third party limit, and up to 80% funding rate.

- Prepare the proposal in English: Ensure that the application clearly addresses the requirements of the call.

- Submit through OnePass: Complete the application and submit it before the relevant cut-off date.

Submission Rules Applicants should pay close attention to the submission rules when prepar