The European Union (EU) administers one of the largest and most comprehensive grant and funding frameworks in the world, designed to support research, innovation, social development, cohesion, and external cooperation. With a multi-annual financial framework agreed for each seven-year budget cycle, EU grants are central to advancing both the Union’s internal priorities and its global partnerships.
 

Structure of EU Funding

EU grants are financed through the overall EU budget, which for 2021–2027 amounts to more than €1.8 trillion, including the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument. Funding is delivered through a combination of direct management, administered by the European Commission and its agencies, and shared management, delivered through Member States for regional and agricultural programs. Applicants include universities, businesses, research organisations, governments, and civil society groups both within and beyond the EU.
 

Key Programmes

The largest research and innovation programme is Horizon Europe, with a budget of €95.5 billion (2021–2027). It supports collaborative research across thematic clusters such as health, digital technologies, climate, and inclusive societies, and funds frontier science through the European Research Council.
 
In parallel, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund support infrastructure, innovation, and job creation, particularly in less developed regions. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) provides resources for education, training, and social inclusion. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) offers subsidies and rural development grants, while the LIFE Programme supports environmental and climate projects.
 
Internationally, the EU administers the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe), which funds initiatives in partner countries, including climate action, governance, and health. Erasmus+ remains a flagship programme for mobility, education, and training, open to institutions worldwide.

Access and Application

The EU maintains a central portal known as the Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal, which publishes all open and upcoming calls. Applicants must follow detailed work programmes and comply with eligibility rules, often requiring partnerships across multiple countries. Proposals are peer-reviewed and assessed on criteria of excellence, impact, and quality of implementation.
 
Transparency is enhanced through the routine publication of funding decisions and project databases. The CORDIS platform (Community Research and Development Information Service) provides searchable records of all EU-funded research projects and outcomes.
 

Accountability and Oversight

EU grants are subject to strict financial regulation and audit, overseen by the European Court of Auditors and the European Anti-Fraud Office. Beneficiaries must adhere to cost eligibility rules, reporting obligations, and open access requirements for research outputs.