Horizon Europe Bridging 2027: €20 million for exploiting project results, deadline 16 February

On 20 October 2026 the European Commission opened topic HORIZON-BRIDGING-2027-06-02, with a budget of €20 million, for consortia that help holders of results from Horizon 2020 (Pillar III) and Horizon Europe (Pillar II) projects bring them to market. Around 5 projects of €2.5–4 million each are expected, and submission closes on 16 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.

In brief

• Programme: Horizon Europe, Bridging actions (HORIZON-BRIDGING-2027-06-02)
• Authority: European Commission (announcement published through the European Research Executive Agency, REA)
• Beneficiaries: consortia of knowledge intermediaries: technology transfer offices, incubators, clusters, innovation platforms
• Total budget: €20 million
• Value per project: €2.5–4 million, around 5 grants
• Submission period: 20 October 2026 – 16 February 2027, 17:00 CET
• Status: open, single-stage evaluation

What does the call fund?

The call starts from a well-known problem: many European projects end at proof of concept or laboratory validation, and business support only appears later. The topic funds consortia that take over the results of these projects and carry them further towards clear market value, validated use cases and credible routes to commercialisation.

Proposals must include financial support to third parties: the consortium launches competitive calls to validate and exploit Horizon results, solely from Horizon 2020 Pillar III and Horizon Europe Pillar II projects. Other activities described in the topic are identifying promising results, access to testing sites, mentoring on business models and intellectual property, and guidance towards subsequent European funding, for example the EIC. The exact share of the budget that goes to third parties and the cap per third party must be read in the topic text on the official portal; we do not confirm them here.

Who can apply?

The applicants are European consortia, not individual companies. According to FFG, the Austrian funding agency, at least 3 organisations from 3 different countries are generally required. The consortium must be made up of knowledge intermediaries (technology transfer offices, innovation ecosystems and platforms, incubators, clusters, entrepreneurship support initiatives), which link up with accelerators, investors and other innovation players.

Proposals must fall within one of five thematic areas: agriculture and food systems, clean transition (energy and transport), health, bioeconomy, raw materials and advanced materials.

How and by when do you apply?

Applications are submitted electronically on the European Commission's Funding & Tenders portal, by 16 February 2027 at 17:00 CET. Evaluation is single-stage. According to FFG, results are expected by July 2027; this is an estimate, not a guaranteed date.

What this means for your business

Recommendation: the call is not for a company seeking a direct grant. As an SME, you have two realistic roles. The first is to be a partner in a consortium, if you have a cluster network, an incubator or a technology transfer department. The second, more accessible, is to qualify later as a funded third party, if you have results from a Horizon 2020 (Pillar III) or Horizon Europe (Pillar II) project that you want to commercialise.

• If you have taken part in a European project, take stock of the results now (prototypes, software, patents) and their level of maturity.
• If you run a cluster or an innovation hub, get in touch with potential coordinators in other countries before December; a consortium takes a few months to build.
• A common pitfall is underestimating the work of administering the calls to third parties: selection, contracts, reporting.

For other opportunities suited to your company, try the eligibility check. For commercialising research results there is also Proof of Market.

Frequently asked questions

Can an SME apply directly for funding under this call?

Not directly, as the main beneficiary. The call targets consortia of knowledge intermediaries. An SME can join a consortium or receive funding as a third party, if the winners launch a call for eligible Horizon results.

What is the deadline?

16 February 2027 at 17:00 CET, through the Funding & Tenders portal. The call opened on 20 October 2026.

How much can you obtain per project?

Between €2.5 and 4 million per grant, with around 5 projects funded from the €20 million allocated.

Which results are eligible for exploitation?

Results from Horizon 2020 Pillar III and Horizon Europe Pillar II projects, in the five thematic areas: agriculture and food, clean transition, health, bioeconomy, raw materials and advanced materials.

Official sources

• REA: Horizon Europe horizontal actions 2027
• Call sheet HORIZON-BRIDGING-2027-06-02
• FFG: Bridging 2027-06 (consortium requirements and timetable)

Information checked on 9 November 2026. The conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.