Open Opportunities

This page lists current calls, job vacancies and open opportunities that may be of interest to the innovation community. Scroll down for opportunities for startups, SMEs and R&I actors.

For startups and SMEs

APTENISA Launch Competition 2025: APTENISA Launch Competition 2025 is a national competition for early-stage tech startups to access the APTENISA Launch- an acceleration programme that offers intensive support to help startups validate their business model, develop a minimum viable product (MVP), receive expert mentoring, and prepare for investor presentations at Transfiere 2026 Demo Day. Eligible startups must be under 3 years old, linked to a science or technology park, and have a committed team. More information.

Deadline: 3rd July 2025

DIANA Challenges 2026: The challenge offers funding and support for tech startups with dual-use innovations. Eligible applicants are commercial companies headquartered in a NATO country, possessing a DUNS or UEI number, and with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or higher (lower TRLs may be considered for strong dual-use potential).

Proposals must address one of NATO's 10 priority challenge areas. Learn more and apply here.

Deadline: 11 July 2025 | 12:00 UTC

WOMEN TechEU: Women TechEU is a 2-year EU-funded project supporting women leading deep tech startup companies from Europe. The project consortium is launching 4 calls for applications over the span of 2 years which, following a rigorous evaluation process, will result in a total of 160 beneficiaries. Each beneficiary will receive €75k grants (non-dilutive finance) as well as a personalised business development programme which includes mentoring, coaching and targeted training among other options. Read more.

Deadline: 4th August 2025

Empowering the Next Gen of Angels: ESIL is dedicated to boosting Europe’s innovative ecosystems through the creation of a thriving, connected and diverse angel investment community across all the countries of Europe, whilst strengthening those markets where angel investment may still be lagging behind. ESIL is funded by the European Union through the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). The program will be delivered by a consortium of seasoned ecosystem players, including META Group, BAE, and Bpifrance, all of whom are deeply embedded in Europe's investment and innovation landscapes. Read more.

Deadline: Open-ended

Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator: The Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator is a 30 day online coaching and workshop opportunity that inspires enhanced innovation strategies for businesses and professionals. The workshops are offered monthly, with the November intake applications open now. This accelerator prioritizes team-oriented work with groups of 5-15 people to enhance synergy and bring out the best in a group. More information.

Deadline: Open-ended

Eurostars: Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. Your consortium must spotlight an innovative SME as the main project participant. Applicants can choose project partners from SMEs, universities and research centres from any of the programme’s 37 participating countries. Organisations in non-participating countries can still join a Eurostars consortium. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

EIC Accelerator:The EIC Work Programme opens funding opportunities worth €1.13 billion. The EIC Accelerator supports individual small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in particular startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

European Cluster Collaboration Platform: The European online hub for industry clusters is a European Union initiative to strengthen the European economy through collaboration. It is a wide information hub for clusters, offering access to the latest news, open call programmes, events, collaboration networks, and international cooperation opportunities. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding and projects

DEDEP.eu Framework Pilot Call: the call for expression of interest for pilot dissemination and exploitation actions aim to both support Digital Europe projects in their dissemination and exploitation efforts and gather feedback to enhance D&E practices while refinining a Dissemination and Exploitation Framework for Digital Europe. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme: Catered to professionals of any industry, this online 6-week programme provides skills ensuring innovation-focused strategies for business leaders to expertly tackle the future of their organisations. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

MIN Platform: The MIN Platform is a product of the INNO-MOB project, showcasing the opportunities that initiatives and networks provide to innovative and dynamic businesses within an inclusive mobility innovation European ecosystem. It serves as a comprehensive business support framework. Register here.

Deadline: Ongoing

European Innovation Council Accelerator: Companies meeting the EIC criteria for excellence, impact and risk-level are invited to prepare full applications for grants of up to €2.5 million. This financial support also comes with a range of Business Acceleration Services, providing access to leading expertise, corporates, investors and ecosystem actors. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

EIT-EIC CollabPilot: Two funding opportunities are available for companies in the science/health fields. Ready for Investment will provide ventures with expert advice and support with a market value of €10,000 tailored to each business’ needs. Gold Track offers startups the chance to attend workshops with top science advisors, as well as present to hand-picked investors and industry partners. More information.

Deadline: Various

IFC Projects: Any company or entrepreneur seeking funding can do so by approaching IFC directly. There is no standard project, application form or model that is expected, but the project must be aimed at the developing world whilst being environmentally and socially sound. More in formation.

Deadline: Ongoing

The INGENIOUS project is an extensive programme design for the European industry to gain sovereignty, to drive competitive sustainability, to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and to shape Europe’s digital future. The INGENIOUS project serves as a lever for the companies to implement highly innovative solutions, to penetrate key markets, to attract critical mass of partners via three financial instruments: Innovation Grant, Training Grant, and Internationalization Grant. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists (FRIPRO): Funding is intended to support scientific renewal and development in research that can help to advance the research front. This call targets researchers who have demonstrated the ability to conduct research of high scientific quality and applies to all disciplines and research areas. More information.

Deadline: Open-ended

Global Innovation Fund: The GIF, is social impact-first investment vehicle that works with mission-aligned development agencies, philanthropy, and other funders to find and fund evidence-based innovations. GIF applications working in any sector in any developing country. Any type of organisation may apply. This includes social enterprises, for-profit companies, non-profit organisations, government agencies, international organisations, and research institutions in any country. It is recommended that individual innovators, entrepreneurs, or researchers apply through an affiliated organisation. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Other

PTE Marketplace: DISRUPTIVE's international marketplace shows collaboration alerts related to the field of disruptive digital technologies. Companies and entities from anywhere in the world can participate in this marketplace by simply filling in a quick questionnaire where they explain what their alert consists of, whilst those seeking opportunities can find multiple chances for collaboration. More information.

Deadline: Various