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Research and Business Engagement

Horizon Europe Support Fund

A new fund to support you in preparing applications for Horizon Europe

Research Committee announces its first new investment towards the delivery of From Manchester, for the world.

EU research funding provides significant opportunities to access new knowledge and partners and contributes to the University’s ambition to be recognised as the best place for ambitious collaborative research. This fund provides financial support for external grant writing, consortium fees, other activities to support EU bids and complements other internal research strategy investment for pump-priming interdisciplinary research and for curiosity-driven research (call forthcoming before end February).

Research Committee is identifying funding mechanisms which will support the delivery of From Manchester, for the world and this new fund will be adapted and refined following an assessment of its impact.  

Introduction and Aims

EU research funding provides significant opportunities to access new knowledge and partners and contributes to the University’s ambition to be recognised as the best place for ambitious collaborative research.

Recognising the challenges in developing EU funding bids, Research Committee has launched a fund to support the submission of Horizon Europe applications by providing support for:

  • External grant writing support for applications to all pillars of Horizon Europe, in particular pillar two and European Research Council.
  • Consortium fees for applications to all pillars of Horizon Europe.
  • Other appropriate interventions with the direct aim of supporting/preparing EU funding bids.

How to Apply

Applicants should read the information about the eligibility requirements, value and duration, and the application and approval process below and submit the Horizon Europe Support Fund application form for the home Faculty of the lead investigator via the link below.

Queries relating to the fund including guidance on grant writing support services should be directed to the home Faculty of the lead applicant:

Rolling monthly deadlines until funding is fully allocated (note we expect to support up to 15 projects in total): 4pm 27 February 2026, 4pm 31 March 2026, 4pm 30 April 2026, 4pm 29 May 2026. 

Eligibility Requirements

Applications are:

  • Sought from researchers across all discipline areas.
  • To be led by an applicant who is eligible to apply for external research funding, this includes academics on teaching and research contracts and independent research fellows.

Applicants are requested to confirm that the application has been discussed with their Head of Department/Division.

Value and Duration

Applications are invited for funding up to a maximum of £20,000. Projects awarded in March must be spent by 31 July 2026 and must comply with University financial regulations.

Eligible Costs: Costs (for example, grant writing fees, consortium fees, event and workshop costs) must be aligned to a current or future Horizon Europe application.

Ineligible Costs: Staff time, research and equipment costs.

Please note that applications do not need to be costed by Research Services teams.

Application and Approval Process

Applications will be assessed, on a monthly rolling basis from February to May 2026 until funding is fully allocated, by the Faculty Vice Deans for Research & Innovation, based on the following criteria:  

  • Strategic alignment with the Faculty’s funding growth ambitions.
  • Evidence of a strong EU application and/or a tangible consortium.
  • Justification of funding.

Rolling monthly deadlines until funding is fully allocated (note we expect to fund up to 15 projects in total):

  • 4pm 27 February 2026
  • 4pm 31 March 2026
  • 4pm 30 April 2026
  • 4pm 29 May 2026

Queries relating to the fund including guidance on grant writing support services should be directed to the Faculty contacts below:

Applicants should submit the Horizon Europe Support Fund application form for the home Faculty of the lead investigator via the link below.

Reporting Requirements

Research Committee is identifying funding mechanisms which will support the delivery of From Manchester, for the world and this new fund will be adapted and refined following an assessment of its impact. To inform this successful applicants will be required to submit a short report on the use of the funds received, the impact this had on research funding case preparation, and share feedback received and outcomes from these bids.