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Research and innovation

Social sciences and humanities

Why the EU supports social sciences and humanities (SSH) research

The EU stands for a unique way of combining economic growth with high levels of social protection and inclusion, shared values including democracy, human rights, gender equality, and the richness of cultural diversity.

This model is constantly evolving and needs to deal with multidimensional challenges.

Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding programme 2014-2020, devoted significant resources to fostering a greater understanding of Europe and providing solutions for inclusive, innovative and reflective European societies.

Building on these achievements, research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe, the current research and innovation funding programme will focus on democratic governance, cultural heritage, and social and economic transformations.

The priorities are interconnected and respond to the most pressing social, political, economic and cultural concerns and expectations of European citizens. 

Policy Focus

Funding opportunities

Calls for proposal in SSH are mainly in Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive society

Projects and results

Results of projects that help explain the political situation and provide recommendations on how policymakers, citizens and other organisations can better respond to the challenges facing European democracy.

Platform where framework programme funding recipients present their results to search, contact their owners and form partnerships

Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more

Commission initiative to identify high potential innovations and innovators in EU-funded research and innovation framework programmes.

Success stories

EU-backed researchers are working with communities in overlooked regions to create tourism strategies that promote heritage while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Project locations
Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lebanon, Poland, Portugal

The EU-funded MobileKids project sought to explore how children adapt to life in multiple homes. The findings are already informing family policies, but also offer insights into how adults can face a more unpredictable world.

Project locations
Belgium

Collaboration and jobs

Find partners for open calls for proposal and view profiles of organisations that have previously received funding through the funding and tenders portal

Scientific publications, tools and databases

Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes

All scientific publications from Horizon Europe and H2020 are accessible via OpenAIRE.

factsheet cover page
  • Factsheet
  • 29 October 2025
Horizon Europe, gender equality

A strengthened commitment in Horizon Europe.

Events