EU expands public science engagement and research careers with €29 million

Today, the Commission announced the results of three highly competitive calls under Horizon Europe’s WIDERA (Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area), with a total budget of €29 million. These initiatives will support early-career researchers, enhance public engagement with science, and promote the uptake of research results in the society and economy.

Science comes to town 2026 (€6 million) – Cities as scientific hubs

Three European cities – Brest (France), Kiel (Germany), and Split (Croatia) – are selected to host a year-long programme of science engagement in 2026. The initiative will transform urban spaces into interactive science hubs, enabling citizens to connect with researchers and explore how science impacts daily life.

• Science in everyday life: Public spaces will host exhibitions, discussions, and hands-on activities, offering an interactive way for citizens to discover the latest scientific developments
• Encouraging dialogue: The initiative will create opportunities for direct exchanges between researchers and citizens, fostering greater trust in science
• Inspiring young people: Events such as the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) and the EU TalentOn will highlight research as a dynamic and rewarding career path for future generations

Talent ecosystems for early research careers (€20 million) – Strengthening early research careers

To ensure Europe remains at the forefront of global research, this initiative will provide early-career researchers with better working conditions in line with the European Charter for Researchers, as well as better career prospects, strengthening cooperation among academia, industry and other sectors.

• Creating career opportunities: The projects will develop talent ecosystems that align research training with industry and societal needs, ensuring that researchers have clear pathways to stable and impactful careers
• Addressing key challenges: The call will address crucial areas, including green energy, digital technologies and deep tech, where Europe needs highly-skilled talent to remain competitive
• Enhancing mobility and skills development: By fostering collaboration between research institutions and businesses, the initiative will help researchers gain experience in multiple sectors and make research careers more attractive

Experimentation and exchange of good practices for value creation (€3 million) – Turning research into real-world impact

Ensuring that research leads to tangible benefits for society is a core objective of the European Research Area. This initiative supports projects that accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice.

• From lab to market: Selected projects will explore innovative ways to make research results accessible and useful to businesses, policymakers, and communities
• Collaboration for innovation: Research institutions, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and industry will share best practices and test new models for improving the uptake of research findings

Continue reading about the next steps and more on the dedicated page here