SEED4EU+ 2026 is the fourth call from the 4EU+ European University Alliance for collaborative research across its eight member universities. It supports all scientific fields aligned with at least one 4EU+ Flagship.
Teams develop joint projects intended to seed durable research partnerships and later external-funding bids. The Early Career and Standard tracks share the same funding ceiling and evaluation criteria.
Benefits & funding
- Up to €40,000 per project under either funding line.
- Projects may run for up to 12 months, starting no earlier than 1 January 2027 and ending by 31 December 2027.
- Each university covers its own staff and students; cross-payments are barred, and eligible cost categories vary by university.
- Eligible costs can include travel, events, supplies, and research-publication expenses, subject to each university’s rules.
Eligibility
- The PI and each Local Project Coordinator must hold a PhD and a member-university employment contract through the project and one-month reporting period.
- Teams must include at least three 4EU+ member universities.
- Early Career proposals require the PI and every Local Project Coordinator to have earned the PhD 2–10 years before January 2027; documented career breaks may extend this window.
- The Standard line accepts applicants meeting the general requirements.
- SEED4EU+ PIs and Local Project Coordinators cannot apply as candidates to the 2026 Visiting Professorship call.
- External partners may join but cannot be PI or receive direct funding.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
PhD
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Application process
- 1Form a team spanning at least three member universities and designate the PI and Local Project Coordinators.
- 2Secure letters of intent from all participating universities, signed by the relevant faculty, department, or institution head.
- 3Consult each university’s 4EU+ Local Office to confirm budget eligibility.
- 4The PI submits the English proposal and annexes electronically by 13 October 2026 at 16:00 CET.
Program timeline
Applications open
22 June 2026
Application deadline
13 October 2026, 16:00 CET
Decisions
End of December 2026
Earliest project start
1 January 2027
Latest project end
31 December 2027