Canadian businesses and researchers often think EU research funding is not available to them. That is no longer the case. With Horizon Europe funding, Canadian SMEs and researchers can join large European consortia and receive non-repayable grants for global R&D projects. This includes projects under Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.
Horizon Europe runs from 2021 to 2027 and has a total budget of €95.5 billion (over $140 billion CAD). Canada is among a small group of non-EU countries—called “Associated Countries”—that can access important parts of the program, especially Pillar 2. This makes Horizon Europe a real funding option for innovation-focused Canadian organizations.
Pillar 2 supports large, collaborative projects that address global challenges and strengthen European industry. Projects fall into six thematic clusters: health, climate, energy, digital, food systems, and more.
Pillar 2 funds:
Canadian participation is strongest in Pillar 2 because it encourages international collaboration and applied research with real-world impacts.
Many types of Canadian organizations can apply for Horizon Europe funding. These include:
Canadian applicants must join a consortium. Most Pillar 2 calls require:
Canadian organizations usually participate as partners, not as coordinators. Eligibility rules change by call, so always check the details for each topic.
Funding is awarded to the project consortium, not to individual partners. Typical Pillar 2 projects receive:
Your Canadian organization receives a set share of the total budget based on its role and assigned work.
Eligible costs include staff time, equipment depreciation, travel, and subcontracting.
Canadian SMEs and researchers often participate in calls such as:
Horizon Europe: Pillar 2 Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Supports collaborative R&D in sectors like health, climate, energy, digital, food, and security.
Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility calls
Focuses on climate and energy systems research, including Earth system science and modelling. Typical contributions range from €5–9 million per project.
Cluster 1 – Health calls
Targets disease prevention, diagnostics, and long-term health conditions. SMEs are encouraged to participate.
Each call has a specific topic code, scope, and expected outcomes. Missing these details is a common reason proposals fail.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter Horizon Europe opportunities by sector, project type, and collaboration requirements in seconds.
Find a suitable call topic
Calls are posted on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Each call has strict scopes and deadlines.
Join or build a consortium
Most Canadian applicants are invited by EU partners. They are chosen for their expertise, intellectual property, or technology.
Define your role and budget
Your tasks must clearly support the call’s expected outcomes.
Submit a joint proposal
Proposals are evaluated on:
Grant agreement and reporting
Successful projects require regular technical and financial reporting to the EU.
Applying alone
Horizon Europe funding requires international consortia. Solo applications from Canadians are not eligible.
Ignoring call-specific eligibility rules
Some topics are open only to EU or Associated Countries.
Underestimating proposal effort
Preparing a strong proposal can take 3–6 months with partners.
Misaligning your work with EU policy goals
Impact on EU priorities is heavily weighted in evaluations.
Q: Can Canadian SMEs get Horizon Europe funding directly?
Yes. Canadian SMEs can receive funding as consortium partners under eligible calls, especially in Pillar 2.
Q: Is Horizon Europe funding repayable?
No. Horizon Europe provides non-repayable grants, not loans.
Q: Do I need an EU office to participate?
No. Canadian organizations can participate from Canada, as long as the call allows non-EU partners.
Q: How competitive is Horizon Europe funding?
It is very competitive. Success rates vary by call but often fall below 15–20%, so strong partnerships are essential.
Q: Can Horizon Europe be combined with Canadian grants?
Sometimes. Stacking may be allowed if costs are not double-funded. Always confirm with both funders.
Horizon Europe funding can help your organization grow. It can also expand your research if you have the right partners and expertise. The main challenge is finding calls where Canadian participation is a good fit.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active international and Canadian grant programs, including Horizon Europe opportunities. Checking which ones match your business or research profile is a smart next step.
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