Today, the Commission announced the results of three highly competitive calls under Horizon Europe’s WIDERA (Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area), with a total budget of €29 million. These initiatives will support early-career researchers, enhance public engagement with science, and promote the uptake of research results in the society and economy.
Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, said:
“Science, research and innovation is not just about discoveries; it’s about people. Whether it’s bringing research to the heart of our cities, helping early-career scientists build their future, or turning ideas into real-world solutions, these initiatives matter. By connecting citizens with science and researchers with new opportunities, we are shaping a Europe where innovation is part of everyday life.”
Science comes to town 2026 (€6 million) - Cities as scientific hubs
Three European cities - Brest (France), Kiel (Germany), and Split (Croatia) - are selected to host a year-long programme of science engagement in 2026. The initiative will transform urban spaces into interactive science hubs, enabling citizens to connect with researchers and explore how science impacts daily life.
- Science in everyday life: Public spaces will host exhibitions, discussions, and hands-on activities, offering an interactive way for citizens to discover the latest scientific developments
- Encouraging dialogue: The initiative will create opportunities for direct exchanges between researchers and citizens, fostering greater trust in science
- Inspiring young people: Events such as the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) and the EU TalentOn will highlight research as a dynamic and rewarding career path for future generations
Talent ecosystems for early research careers (€20 million) - Strengthening early research careers
To ensure Europe remains at the forefront of global research, this initiative will provide early-career researchers with better working conditions in line with the European Charter for Researchers, as well as better career prospects, strengthening cooperation among academia, industry and other sectors.
- Creating career opportunities: The projects will develop talent ecosystems that align research training with industry and societal needs, ensuring that researchers have clear pathways to stable and impactful careers
- Addressing key challenges: The call will address crucial areas, including green energy, digital technologies and deep tech, where Europe needs highly-skilled talent to remain competitive
- Enhancing mobility and skills development: By fostering collaboration between research institutions and businesses, the initiative will help researchers gain experience in multiple sectors and make research careers more attractive
Experimentation and exchange of good practices for value creation (€3 million) - Turning research into real-world impact
Ensuring that research leads to tangible benefits for society is a core objective of the European Research Area. This initiative supports projects that accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice.
- From lab to market: Selected projects will explore innovative ways to make research results accessible and useful to businesses, policymakers, and communities
- Collaboration for innovation: Research institutions, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and industry will share best practices and test new models for improving the uptake of research findings
Next steps
All projects selected for funding have been invited to complete the necessary procedure to sign grant agreements. Once these are signed, implementation will begin, setting the stage for impactful actions in research careers, public engagement and knowledge valorisation across Europe.
Background
Science comes to town: This call builds on the previous initiative ‘European City of Science’, which named a European city as the capital of science every two years, widening the scope and the impact. The last European City of Science was Katowice (Poland) in 2024. It contributes to the European Research Area and to the Pact for R&I in Europe, which highlight the importance of social responsibility and active citizen and societal engagement in research and innovation (R&I).
Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers: This call for proposal is the result of a pilot investment initiative to strengthen research careers in Europe, in line with the December 2023 Council Recommendation on research careers, including the new European Charter for Researchers. The pilot investment initiative comes as part of a wide array of measures in support of attractive and sustainable research careers in Europe, aiming at nurturing and retaining researchers in Europe, and at making it an attractive destination for international talents.
Experimentation and exchange of good practices for value creation: The new funded initiatives align with the Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation and the Codes of Practice on Industry-Academia Co-Creation and Citizen Engagement, which provide essential guidance and tools for research and innovation actors.
More information
Reforming and enhancing the EU research and innovation system
Calls for proposals | EU Funding & Tenders Portal
Press contact:
Details
- Publication date
- 18 February 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
- Location
- Brussels