Horizon Europe Twinning Call Opens for 2023

The call aims to improve R&I performance in Widening countries by enhancing cooperation with advanced partners.

The European Commission has launched the 2023 Horizon Europe Twinning call, enabling applicants based in Widening EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries to partner with leading institutions abroad.

The Twinning initiative is a core component of the Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence strand of Horizon Europe. It specifically enhances networking activities between research institutions in Widening countries with leading European and international counterparts. Widening research institutions coordinate the projects and must link with at least two other research institutions from two different member states or associated countries to foster knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices.

New for the 2023 call, applicants may this year submit proposals to one of two topics, either through the traditional ‘Twinning Bottom-Up’ topic or the ‘Twinning Green Deal’ topic for proposals in line with the European Green Deal. Both topics share the same objectives, scope and expected impact.

Those specifically applying for the Twinning Green Deal topic must focus on a defined area of research/innovation directly linked to at least one of the actions listed in the European Green Deal strategy, specifically: climate research, green technologies, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, biodiversity research or sustainable use of natural resources (land, water, air).

A total of €113 million is available for proposals under the Twinning Bottom-Up topic, while €27 million is available for proposals under the Twinning Green Deal topic. Proposals may only be submitted under one of the two topics, not both. For both topics, projects should last no longer than three years.

Further details of the Twinning programme and examples of previously successful projects are available on the European Research Executive Agency website.

Applications to the 2023 call under either topic can be submitted until 28 September 2023.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)