Building public trust and outreach in the life sciences

The EU-wide coordination and support project “Building public trust and outreach in the life sciences” aims to promote innovative methods and activities that strengthen public trust in the life sciences. Educational institutions, non-profit organizations, companies, and public bodies in EU Member States and associated countries can apply for funding of up to €1,900,000 (funding rate: 100%) from February 10, 2026, until April 16, 2026. The funding covers personnel costs, material expenses, travel costs, and subcontractor services, while property acquisitions, retrospective costs, and debt settlement are excluded. Key requirements include legal personality in an EU or associated country, experience in transnational research and coordination projects, and compliance with ethical guidelines and research integrity. The project duration starts no earlier than June 1, 2026.

The focus is on training science communicators, risk communication experts, and decision-makers from research, politics, and civil society. Together, citizen engagement formats will be developed, an open-access toolkit for risk and science communication created, and locally anchored engagement actions implemented. The evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the work plan, the degree of innovation, and relevance to the target groups. Required application documents include a cover letter, project description, financial plan, and CVs of the project leadership. Through close networking and strategic exchange, sustainable engagement is to be established that promotes long-term trust in the life sciences and strengthens social cohesion in the spirit of democracy.