Hop-On Facility
The Hop-On Facility enables legal entities from so-called Widening countries to join already funded Horizon Europe Pillar II ‘main’ Work Programme or EIC Pathfinder consortia. Several cut-off dates are planned, the last being on 24/09/2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Hop-On Facility aims to strengthen inclusion in the Horizon Europe programme by structurally integrating research institutions and companies from widening countries into existing consortia R&I projects.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Subcontractor services
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of real estate
- Debt repayment
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Participation only by the coordinator of an already funded Horizon Europe project
- Additional participating institution must be established in a Widening country
- At least 90% of the maximum funding amount must flow to the Widening institution
Documents required for application
- Application form in the submission system
- Description of the action (Part B)
- Request for Grant Agreement Amendment
- Description of the Action (DOA) as an attachment
Evaluation criteria
- Innovation potential of the new participant
- Contribution to strengthening R&I capacities in widening countries
- Complementarity of the tasks to be absorbed within the existing consortium
Description
The Hop-On Facility offers companies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations from Widening countries the unique opportunity to join existing Horizon Europe Pillar II ‘main’ Work Programme or EIC Pathfinder consortia. With a funding volume of €200,000 to €600,000 per project and a funding rate of 100%, personnel costs, material costs, travel and subsistence expenses, as well as subcontracting services are covered. The prerequisite is that the coordinator of an already funded project submits the application and that at least 90% of the funding amount flows to the growing entity from a Widening country. Structurally, the Hop-On Facility contributes to strengthening the research and innovation capacities of these countries and ensures balanced participation in the European Research Area. Selection is based on innovation potential, complementary contribution within the consortium, and sustainable impact on local R&I structures.
Interested consortium partners must complete an application form in the submission system and submit documents, including an action-specific description of the action as well as a request for a Grant Agreement Amendment along with the Description of the Action (DOA). Multiple cut-off dates allow for flexible application submission until 24.09.2026. Evaluation is conducted by independent experts, assessing aspects such as excellence, impact, and quality of implementation. After positive evaluation, consortia are invited to submit an amendment proposal to the existing Grant Agreement. This enables new partners to quickly take on integrated research packages and deepen their expertise in transnational projects. The Facility significantly contributes to overcoming regional disparities and promotes sustainable networking of European innovation actors.