Annual calls for proposals with specified topics are grouped into six areas as part of strategic planning and according to their expected impact:
- Climate-neutral, circular, digitalised production;
- A digitalised, resource-efficient and resilient industry;
- The development of world-leading data and computer technologies;
- the development of digital and new technologies to ensure competitiveness in the Green Deal;
- strategic autonomy in the development, provision and application of global space-based infrastructures, services and data;
- the people-oriented, ethical development of digital and industrial technologies.
Cluster 4 focuses on the development of core technologies to address challenges in various industrial sectors such as health, transport, energy, culture, food and agriculture.
Calls
The 2025 calls across all Horizon Europe programmes have been published by the European Commission. The Cluster 4 Work Programme 2025 had a budget of EUR 1.65 billion.
Most calls in the areas Industry and Digital are now closed; however, the second-stage deadline (full proposals) for the two-stage calls runs until 14 April 2026. In the area of Space, the current call is open until 24 February 2026.
The calls under the 2026/27 Work Programme have been published and are being opened gradually since December 2025. For details, please refer to the 2026/27 Cluster 4 Work Programme.
For searching specific calls (topics, deadlines, submission), please use the European Commission’s ‘Funding & Tender opportunities’ portal of the European Commission.
Our Cluster 4 experts are happy to advise you and support you throughout the entire proposal preparation process – from the initial idea, to drafting the proposal, to submission.
[Tip] On the Horizon Europe Community Austria platform, all key Horizon Europe Work Programmes 2026/27 are bundled in one place, with direct links to the individual documents. This helps you quickly access “your” thematic area and plan the next steps for future project ideas.
EC Horizon Europe Info Days 2026
The European Commission's Horizon Europe Info Days for the different programme parts kicked off at the end of January 2026. The Cluster 4 Info Days took place on 29 and 30 January, and the recordings are available here:
A further helpful event was the Horizon Implementation Day from 20 January, focusing on updates and practical aspects related to the 2026/27 Work Programme.
[Recap] 13–14 May 2025, online: EC Horizon Europe Info Days – Cluster 4
The European Commission provided comprehensive information on all topics (Destinations) as well as the submission and evaluation process. A recording of the event is available.
European partnerships in Cluster 4
Partnerships can help mobilise the necessary additional private and public funding and align research and innovation priorities across Europe. They also ensure that industrial companies collaborate across individual sectors and value chains on the basis of predefined objectives.
The following partnerships are assigned to the ‘Digitalisation, Industry and Space’ cluster:
New European Partnerships for Advanced Materials and Textiles
On 20 March 2025, the European Commission announced the launch of new co-programmed partnerships under Horizon Europe. These were announced in the second Strategic Plan 2025-2027 of Horizon Europe. In the following areas relating to Cluster 4, the EU Commission will work with a stakeholder group as a partner on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding and promote corresponding research and development activities in the period 2025-2030:
European Partnership for Textiles of the Future – The EU Commission's partner is the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Textile ETP). Both sides plan to invest up to 30 million euros each.
European Partnership for Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU – The European Commission's partner is the Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I). Both sides plan to invest up to 250 million euros each.