Grant

Pillar III: Science comes to town 2028

EU-wide coordinated funding program for organizing a one-year city event "Science comes to town 2028" with citizen participation, science communication, and EUCYS/EU TalentOn. Applications until 12.03.2026, 17:00 Brussels time.

Social Cohesion/Democracy Science Culture

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline:
10.12. - 12.03.2026 9 days left
Application level: Complex
Region: EU
Company size: all sizes
Funding amount: €6,000,000
Funding rate: 100%
Project start from: 10.12.2025
Project duration: 24-30 months

Funding objective

Support for an international city cooperation to implement a joint science communication program "Science comes to town 2028" with innovative formats for citizen participation, gender inclusivity, citizen science, as well as the EUCYS and EU TalentOn competitions.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel expenses
  • Material costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Subcontractor services
  • Expenses for prizes to third-party beneficiaries

Eligible to apply

  • Public Institutions
  • Educational Institutions
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Companies

Funding requirements

  • Consortium with at least three independent legal entities from three different member states, two of which must be EU member states
  • Letter of commitment from each participating city to host EUCYS 2028
  • Willingness to provide financial support from third parties in the form of awards
  • Conducting an open market dialogue and open calls for project partners

Documents required for application

  1. Portal application
  2. Project description
  3. Financial plan
  4. Commitment letters from the cities
  5. Dissemination and communication plan

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content of the project
  • Relevance for the target group
  • Expertise and composition of the consortium

Description

“Science comes to town 2028” is an EU-wide coordinated funding program for the joint organization of a multifaceted science communication event accompanied by the EUCYS and EU TalentOn competitions. The aim is to strengthen an international city cooperation that develops innovative formats for citizen participation, citizen science, and gender inclusivity. To this end, a one-year program is to be implemented in three to six EU cities, linking renowned science activities ranging from market dialogues and open calls to exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. Accompanying this, competitions for young emerging scientists (ages 14–20) and early-career researchers (ages 21–35) will be embedded to promote talent and make research results tangible.

A consortium of at least three legal entities in three different Member States—including one municipality each as a commitment provider for hosting EUCYS 2028—is eligible to apply. Eligible costs include personnel and material expenses, travel costs, subcontractor services, and expenses for prizes awarded to third beneficiaries; the project duration is 24–30 months. The EU will cover 100% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €6,000,000. Evaluation criteria are innovation content, impact on target groups, and consortium expertise. Applications must be submitted by 12 March 2026, 17:00 Brussels time; the project start date is no earlier than 10 December 2025. A comprehensive communication and dissemination plan, commitment letters from the participating cities, as well as a financing plan and project description are part of the application.

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