Deadline: 23-Sep-2026
The European Commission is funding projects under Horizon Europe to improve long-term care systems across the EU by strengthening policy effectiveness, affordability, accessibility, workforce capacity, and integrated care models. The call supports research and innovation actions focused on digital solutions, AI, workforce development, and evidence-based policy design. The total budget is €15 million, and applications are open to a wide range of legal entities, including international organisations and non-EU participants under specific conditions.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action aimed at strengthening long-term care systems across European Union member states. The call focuses on improving how long-term care services are designed, delivered, and evaluated to respond to demographic change, rising care needs, and workforce challenges.
The initiative promotes the development of more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable long-term care systems through policy innovation, integrated service models, and the use of digital and AI-based solutions.
Objectives of the Call
The primary objective is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of long-term care systems across the EU.
Key objectives include:
- Improving affordability and accessibility of long-term care services
- Strengthening long-term care policy effectiveness
- Enhancing workforce capacity and working conditions in care sectors
- Promoting integrated care systems linking health and social services
- Supporting efficient use of resources in care delivery
- Advancing digital transformation and AI-based innovations in care
- Encouraging evidence-based policy planning and evaluation
- Addressing demographic change and rising care demand
- Ensuring gender-sensitive and inclusive care approaches
Scope of Supported Projects
Projects funded under this call are expected to focus on both policy evaluation and system improvement.
Key areas of project activity include:
- Evaluation of existing long-term care policies and their effectiveness
- Analysis of service accessibility, affordability, and quality
- Assessment of workforce capacity, training, and retention challenges
- Study of integrated care models and coordination with social services
- Exploration of digital tools and AI applications in care systems
- Development of evidence-based recommendations for policy reform
Funding Details
The call provides significant funding under Horizon Europe to support large-scale collaborative research and innovation projects.
Funding structure:
- Total budget: €15,000,000
- Funding type: Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
- Consortium-based collaborative projects expected
Eligibility Criteria
The call is broadly inclusive, allowing participation from a wide range of organisations under Horizon Europe rules.
Eligible applicants include:
- Any legal entity, regardless of country of establishment
- Organisations from EU Member States and associated countries
- Entities from non-associated third countries (subject to conditions)
- International organisations (if eligible under call rules)
Additional participants may include:
- Affiliated entities
- Associated partners
- Entities without legal personality (under specific conditions)
- EU bodies and agencies, including the Joint Research Centre (JRC)
- Associations or interest groupings
Registration and Participation Requirements
All participating organisations must comply with Horizon Europe administrative requirements.
Key requirements include:
- Registration in the Participant Register
- Obtaining a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
- Completion of validation procedures before grant agreement signing
- Compliance with consortium and role-based participation rules
Expected Outcomes
Projects funded under this call are expected to deliver:
- Improved policy frameworks for long-term care systems
- More efficient and accessible care services across the EU
- Strengthened integration between health and social care systems
- Better workforce planning and capacity development strategies
- Increased adoption of digital and AI-enabled care solutions
- Evidence-based recommendations for EU-wide policy improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of this Horizon Europe call?
- It supports projects that improve long-term care systems across the EU by enhancing policy effectiveness, accessibility, affordability, workforce capacity, and integrated care solutions.
- What is the total funding available?
- Funding details include:
- Total budget: €15,000,000
- Provided under Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions
- Funding details include:
- Who can apply for this funding?
- Eligible applicants include:
- Any legal entity worldwide (subject to Horizon Europe conditions)
- EU and non-EU organisations
- International organisations
- Research institutions and consortium partners
- Eligible applicants include:
- What types of projects are expected?
- Projects should focus on:
- Policy evaluation and reform
- Integrated care system development
- Workforce capacity strengthening
- Digital and AI innovation in care systems
- Evidence-based planning and assessment
- Projects should focus on:
- Are consortiums required?
- Yes, participation typically involves collaborative consortiums with defined roles for each partner organisation.
- What are the registration requirements?
- Participants must:
- Register in the EU Participant Register
- Obtain a PIC number
- Complete validation procedures before grant agreement signing
- Participants must:
Conclusion
This Horizon Europe call supports large-scale, collaborative research aimed at transforming long-term care systems across Europe. By focusing on policy effectiveness, workforce development, and digital innovation, it seeks to build more accessible, affordable, and sustainable care systems capable of addressing Europe’s evolving demographic and social challenges.
For more information, visit European Commission.