Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors
CONNECT - Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
15/10/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Public Institution, Research Institution, Other
Trusted by
What is the Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors Call?
Grant Description
This coordination and support action addresses fragmentation and limited interconnection in European innovation ecosystems by facilitating joint planning, co-implementation, and co-investment among Member State, Associated Country, regional and local authorities, and innovation actors. It aims to prepare long-term multiannual programmes and action plans to enhance synergies, inclusiveness, gender diversity, and network connectivity across the quadruple helix. Expected outputs include joint actio...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following:
• Open dialogue, preparation and facilitation of agreements among Member States, Associated Countries and/or their regions, with public/private sector and research and innovation actors, resulting in more dynamic, inclusive, gender diverse and connected innovation ecosystems via co-planning, co-implementation and co-investments around NEIA priority areas
• Joint long-term programmes and action plans fostering collaboration, common innovation-support activities and creation of common knowledge assets among EU, national, regional and local innovation ecosystems; enhanced synergies and complementarities of programmes; alignment of innovation policies and related policies (e.g., procurement strategies); links to the Regional Innovation Valley where relevant
• Inclusion of diverse innovation players from across the quadruple helix and multiple EU territories
• Synergies with other EU funding programmes (Cohesion Policy, Recovery & Resilience, External Action instruments, Growth Plans for Western Balkans/Moldova/Ukraine, etc.), national/regional public funds and private funds to complement Horizon Europe support for innovation ecosystems
• Open dialogue, preparation and facilitation of agreements among Member States, Associated Countries and/or their regions, with public/private sector and research and innovation actors, resulting in more dynamic, inclusive, gender diverse and connected innovation ecosystems via co-planning, co-implementation and co-investments around NEIA priority areas
• Joint long-term programmes and action plans fostering collaboration, common innovation-support activities and creation of common knowledge assets among EU, national, regional and local innovation ecosystems; enhanced synergies and complementarities of programmes; alignment of innovation policies and related policies (e.g., procurement strategies); links to the Regional Innovation Valley where relevant
• Inclusion of diverse innovation players from across the quadruple helix and multiple EU territories
• Synergies with other EU funding programmes (Cohesion Policy, Recovery & Resilience, External Action instruments, Growth Plans for Western Balkans/Moldova/Ukraine, etc.), national/regional public funds and private funds to complement Horizon Europe support for innovation ecosystems
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
- Consortium: minimum three independent legal entities from three different Member States or Associated Countries, including at least one in a “moderate/emerging innovator” region and one in a “strong/innovation leader” region (per Regional/European Innovation Scoreboard or Global Innovation Index)
• Eligible participants: national, regional and/or local authorities responsible for innovation policies/programmes and other research and innovation actors
• Project duration: 12–18 months, with planning for at least three years of joint cooperation activities
• Focus on one or more thematic/technological areas of common interest aligned with EU strategic priorities (NEIA burning challenges, Green Deal, RePowerEU, circularity, digital transformation, biotech, advanced materials)
• Integrate gender equality objectives and explain how actions contribute to the NEIA
• Provide EU-level added value: justify need for scalable joint activities, potential for growth and competitiveness, and strong EU added value
• Demonstrate synergies and alignment between EU, national and regional funds, programmes and policies (e.g., innovation procurement strategies)
• Describe open, clear, realistic, impact-oriented processes, including guidance mechanisms and tools
• Present expected common knowledge assets, beneficiary benefits and targeted milestones
• Design pilot schemes for specific actions, with optional FSTP testing
• Adopt a two-phase approach: Phase 1 – stakeholder dialogue, mapping, strategy/partnership building; Phase 2 – concretising and finalising joint action plan
• Eligible participants: national, regional and/or local authorities responsible for innovation policies/programmes and other research and innovation actors
• Project duration: 12–18 months, with planning for at least three years of joint cooperation activities
• Focus on one or more thematic/technological areas of common interest aligned with EU strategic priorities (NEIA burning challenges, Green Deal, RePowerEU, circularity, digital transformation, biotech, advanced materials)
• Integrate gender equality objectives and explain how actions contribute to the NEIA
• Provide EU-level added value: justify need for scalable joint activities, potential for growth and competitiveness, and strong EU added value
• Demonstrate synergies and alignment between EU, national and regional funds, programmes and policies (e.g., innovation procurement strategies)
• Describe open, clear, realistic, impact-oriented processes, including guidance mechanisms and tools
• Present expected common knowledge assets, beneficiary benefits and targeted milestones
• Design pilot schemes for specific actions, with optional FSTP testing
• Adopt a two-phase approach: Phase 1 – stakeholder dialogue, mapping, strategy/partnership building; Phase 2 – concretising and finalising joint action plan
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Funding: lump sum grant under Horizon Europe Lump Sum Grant model; eligible costs defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 (lump sum contributions)
• Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is optional; maximum grant to each third party: EUR 60 000
• Admissibility: comply with page limits and layout rules (General Annex A, Annex E, Application Form Part B)
• Eligible countries: per Annex B; participants from non-eligible third countries may contribute without funding
• Regional innovator status must be confirmed using the latest Regional/European Innovation Scoreboard or Global Innovation Index at call opening
• Implementation of the action plans is outside the project unless FSTP is used; implementation funding must be sought separately
• Evaluation and award: follow criteria, scoring and thresholds in General Annex D and processes in Annex F; use HE CSA application and evaluation form templates
• Consortium composition: at least three independent legal entities from three different MS/AC, including specified innovator region representation
• Budget: total EUR 5 000 000; one grant anticipated around EUR 5 000 000
• Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is optional; maximum grant to each third party: EUR 60 000
• Admissibility: comply with page limits and layout rules (General Annex A, Annex E, Application Form Part B)
• Eligible countries: per Annex B; participants from non-eligible third countries may contribute without funding
• Regional innovator status must be confirmed using the latest Regional/European Innovation Scoreboard or Global Innovation Index at call opening
• Implementation of the action plans is outside the project unless FSTP is used; implementation funding must be sought separately
• Evaluation and award: follow criteria, scoring and thresholds in General Annex D and processes in Annex F; use HE CSA application and evaluation form templates
• Consortium composition: at least three independent legal entities from three different MS/AC, including specified innovator region representation
• Budget: total EUR 5 000 000; one grant anticipated around EUR 5 000 000
Important dates
Open from: 14/05/2025
Deadline:15/10/2025
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