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HORIZON EUROPE TOPIC · Widening participation and strengthening the ERA

Pillar IV: Upgrading the EU’s independent knowledge on China's Science, Technology and Innovation system

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-05 — the expected outcomes as checkable statements, what evaluators look for in this topic, and the conditions that shape the proposal.

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ForthcomingRIA · lump sumDeadline 11 March 2027around EUR 3 million per project

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TopicHORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-05
StatusForthcoming
CallHORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05 — Enhancing the European R&I system
DestinationReforming and enhancing the EU research and innovation system (2026-27)
Type of actionResearch and Innovation Actions · lump sum
Opening8 December 2026
Deadline11 March 2027
Budgetaround EUR 3 million per project · 1 project expected · EUR 3 million in total
Part B page limit45 pages (standard application form; check your call)
TemplateWork Programme 2026–2027 application form

Expected outcomes

Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes. The topic says: “Proposals will deliver on the impact of ‘A more strategic, coherent, and evidence-based approach towards cooperation with China in the area of science, technology, and innovation (STI)’. It contributes toward the ERA Structural Policy “Implementing the Global Approach to R&I cooperation”, while taking into account the ERA Action on “Enhancing research security”. Project results are expected to…”

  1. EO1 Improved understanding and monitoring of China's STI system to support the development of strategic foresight and evidence-based policies, and further bolster the EU’s ecosystem for independent knowledge on contemporary China.
  2. EO2 Innovative interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies are made available to R&I practitioners and policymakers, allowing for improved assessment of critical technology areas where China has achieved or is expected to achieve breakthroughs, and areas where challenges persist.
  3. EO3 A well-connected network of experts on China's STI ecosystem that increase attractiveness for EU researchers, especially young researchers, to pursue research careers on contemporary China.

Expected impacts named in the destination

The wider, long-term effects the destination seeks. Your outcomes feed them; they are not project deliverables.

  1. EI1 Effective and sustainable structural institutional changes aligned with the ERA priorities.
  2. EI2 Sustainable ecosystems established around the ERA priorities through enhanced cooperation, coordination and alignment.
  3. EI3 Increased trust in science and alignment of R&I with society’s needs.
  4. EI4 Strengthened evidence base for advancing the implementation of the ERA.
  5. EI5 Increased reproducibility, trustworthiness and transparency of scientific research.
  6. EI6 A more open, equitable and inclusive research and innovation ecosystem.
  7. EI7 A research ethics and integrity ecosystem continually enhanced with robust methodologies that encourage benefit sharing and prevent ethics dumping.
  8. EI8 Systemic reform of research assessment through the recognition of the diverse outputs, practices, and activities which maximise the quality and impact of research.
  9. EI9 Improved research careers and mobility, based on the European framework for research careers, fostering knowledge flows and career interoperability across sectors and countries.
  10. EI10 Stronger translation of R&I results into society and economy.
  11. EI11 Enhanced gender equality and inclusiveness, leading to research excellence and more innovative, socially relevant, and economically impactful outcomes.
  12. EI12 Increased uptake, effectiveness and impact of environmentally sustainable research.

What evaluators will look for in this topic

Expected outcomes

  • Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes.
  • For each outcome (EO1 to EO3), name who will use or adopt your results (a specific group, not “industry” or “society”), how they get them, and the indicator that shows the change, with baseline, target and date.
  • Use the topic's own words for each outcome, so the evaluator can tick it off.

What the scope asks for

Evaluators check the proposal against these sentences of the scope. Answer each one visibly, in the call's own words.

  • “This action should bring together think-tanks, universities, research organisations, and expert networks based in eligible countries.”
  • “Proposals should build on the activities and results of relevant past or ongoing initiatives and projects at European and/or national level.”
  • “The selected project is expected to closely coordinate with the European Commission during implementation,.”
  • “To achieve the expected outcomes, proposals should address the activities outlined below and propose any additional, complementary activities:.”
  • “Applicants are encouraged to propose foresight exercises to identify new disruptive, emerging technologies beyond those mentioned above.”
  • “Particular attention should be paid to actively involving young EU researchers in project activities.”

Conditions that shape the proposal

  • Part B, sections 1–3: 45 pages (standard application form). Text beyond the limit is not read; tables and figures count.
  • Lump sum: the budget is fixed per work package and paid when each work package is completed. Every work package needs activities and deliverables an evaluator can verify, and the effort must match the money.
  • Other Eligible Conditions: “The following additional eligibility criteria apply: In order to achieve the expected outcomes and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, namely to strengthen the European capacity to create and to foster the production of independent European knowledge on contemporary China,…”

Impact pathway and traps

  • Keep outputs, outcomes and impacts apart: what you deliver, what changes when others use it, and the long-term effect.
  • For each destination impact you claim, show which of your outcomes feeds it. Destination impacts are long-term effects, not project deliverables.
  • Name the barriers outside the project (regulation, markets, user behaviour) that could block uptake, and what you will do if they do.
  • Section 2.3 (the summary canvas) is optional on this call; the old split into scientific, economic and societal impact is no longer required.
The scope, as published

This topic aims to support the creation of new knowledge and strengthen expertise and networks in the EU on China’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. It seeks to bolster the EU’s ongoing endeavour to upgrade independent knowledge on contemporary China in Europe, which addresses the need for the EU to understand China on its own terms: not through the lens of external sources, but from its own perspective based on independent EU’s analysis. This action should bring together think-tanks, universities, research organisations, and expert networks based in eligible countries. Proposals should build on the activities and results of relevant past or ongoing initiatives and projects at European and/or national level. The selected project is expected to closely coordinate with the European Commission during implementation, To achieve the expected outcomes, proposals should address the activities outlined below and propose any additional, complementary activities: Build a comprehensive framework that facilitates the creation and sharing of knowledge and monitoring of China's STI system. This includes generating new and compiling existing knowledge, tools, and resources on developments in China’s STI policies, legal framework, government structures, narratives, and strategies for international collaborations. Develop and test innovative interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies for assessing China’s advancements in critical technology areas (e.g., artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, quantum, biotechnologies) and for evaluating their impact on the European economic security, strategic autonomy, and on the EU’s ability to achieve the objectives of the Competitiveness Compass. Applicants are encouraged to propose foresight exercises to identify new disruptive, emerging technologies beyond those mentioned above. Ensure collaboration between EU experts on China and technical experts (e.g., engineers, technology experts, economists, legal experts). Particular attention should be paid to actively involving young EU researchers in project activities. Expected project duration is up to 3 years without prejudice to a longer duration if justified. In line with EU priorities, see EU-China – A Strategic Outlook Communication, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2019-03/communication-eu-china-a-strategic-outlook.pdf; the European Economic Security Strategy, https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation/strategic-autonomy-and-european-economic-and-research-security_en; Competitiveness Compass https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0030. For example, projects funded under the topics HORIZON-CL2-2021-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-07, and HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ERA-01-06. Recommendation on critical technology areas Objectives in the Competitiveness Compass: Closing the innovation gap; Decarbonising our economy; Reducing dependencies, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0030.

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Source and attribution

Topic text from the official topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, retrieved 19 October 2026. © European Union, reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU (CC BY 4.0). Changes: the expected outcomes and impacts are split into numbered statements, long passages are shortened, and the evaluator checklist is GrantWise's own commentary. Your call and the Work Programme always win; check them before you submit. GrantWise is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the European Commission.