Reading EU funding calls: how to decode a topic page on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Editorial team artemis-ju.eu · Updated 27 October 2026
The fastest way to understand an EU funding call is its topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Type of action, deadline model, deadline, budget, eligibility conditions and all linked documents always appear in the same places. What matters most is whether your project delivers the topic’s Expected Outcomes, not just whether it roughly fits the theme. Also check whether the topic deviates from the standard rules of the work programme.
Where calls are published
The European Commission publishes calls for Horizon Europe and many other programmes, such as Digital Europe or LIFE, on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Every topic is based on a multi-annual work programme; for Horizon Europe the 2026-2027 work programmes currently apply. Calls from earlier framework programmes are no longer active, and results of funded projects are documented in the Commission’s CORDIS database.
Decoding the topic ID
Topic identifiers follow a fixed pattern. Take the made-up example HORIZON-CL5-2026-D3-01-05:
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HORIZON | Programme (Horizon Europe) |
| CL5 | Cluster or programme part, here Cluster 5 (climate, energy, mobility) |
| 2026 | Work programme year |
| D3 | Destination, a thematic section of the work programme |
| 01-05 | Call and topic number |
The ID tells you which chapter of the work programme contains the background you need.
The topic page, section by section
- General information: programme, call, type of action (for example HORIZON-RIA, HORIZON-IA, HORIZON-CSA), type of grant agreement (for example lump sum), deadline model, opening date and deadline.
- Topic description: Expected Outcome and Scope. This is the yardstick evaluators use.
- Topic conditions and documents: eligible countries, admissibility and eligibility, financial and operational capacity, award criteria and thresholds, legal and financial set-up, including any deviations from the General Annexes.
- Budget overview: topic budget, expected EU contribution per project and indicative number of grants.
- Partner search announcements: organisations looking for partners for this exact topic.
- Start submission: access to the submission system and the templates for Part A (administrative forms) and Part B (technical description).
Deadline models
| Model | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Single-stage | One full proposal by the deadline | Most collaborative projects |
| Two-stage | Short proposal first, full proposal by invitation | Large, oversubscribed topics |
| Multiple cut-off | Continuously open, evaluated at cut-off dates | For example the EIC Accelerator |
In two-stage calls, the standard rules score only Excellence and Impact at stage one, with a threshold of 4 out of 5 for each, and the number of proposals invited to stage two also depends on the budget. Deadlines are given with a time of day, usually 17:00 Brussels time. Do not wait until the final hour: technical problems just before closing are generally not accepted as grounds for an extension.
Eligibility checklist
- Countries: Are all partners established in eligible countries? The portal lists associated countries and exceptions.
- Consortium: Does your consortium meet the minimum (standard: three independent entities from three countries) or stricter topic rules? See building a consortium.
- Budget: Does your requested EU contribution fit the range in the topic? Different amounts are possible but need a rationale.
- Type of action: RIA, IA or CSA sets the funding rate and therefore your own contribution.
- Special conditions: security restrictions, open science obligations or a gender equality plan for certain types of organisation.
A practical reading routine
Read the topic in three passes. First, the general information and budget overview, to decide within minutes whether the topic is realistic for you. Second, Expected Outcome and Scope line by line, noting for each sentence which partner and which work package would deliver it. Third, the conditions and the destination text in the work programme, to catch special rules and the bigger picture evaluators have in mind. Keep these notes: they become the skeleton of your proposal.
Common reading mistakes
- Reading only the title and summary, not Expected Outcome and Scope.
- Ignoring the destination introduction in the work programme.
- Missing different page limits or templates for lump sum topics.
- Treating a forthcoming topic as final.
- Using templates from an old work programme.
Getting help
The German National Contact Points (Nationale Kontaktstellen, NKS) help free of charge to check whether a topic fits. For the writing stage, see writing a grant proposal, or browse grant consultants in our directory.
Sources
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- European Commission: Horizon Europe
- Horizon Europe evaluation form (example, EU-Rail)
- German National Contact Points
As of October 2026. This guide does not replace tax or legal advice; the work programme, call conditions and grant agreement, or the funding body’s guideline and decision, are binding.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find older EU calls and funded projects?
Closed calls remain searchable on the Funding & Tenders Portal, and results of funded projects from earlier framework programmes are documented in the Commission's CORDIS database. For a new proposal only the current work programmes count.
What does 'Forthcoming' mean?
The topic has been announced but is not open yet. Details can still change, and you can only submit from the opening date.
Can I submit documents after the deadline?
No. The proposal must be complete in the portal by the deadline. You may resubmit as often as you like before it closes; the last version counts.
Do I need to read German documents?
No. EU calls and templates are in English, and proposals are usually written in English. German national co-funding schemes linked to some EU programmes may require German-language documents.