Excellence Hubs: A Prime Opportunity for Deep Tech Innovation Funding
European innovation is entering a crucial phase. On September 2, 2026, the prestigious Excellence Hubs (HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-03) call will open under the Horizon Europe framework. Offering a substantial budget of €1.5 to €4.5 million per project in the form of Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), this is a unique chance for Czech universities, research organizations, and ambitious enterprises to fund their growth. With a generous project duration of up to 4 years, it provides the stability needed to build lasting innovation ecosystems.
19. 8. 2026
Insights
Who is the Ideal Candidate?
This call is exclusively targeted at "Widening countries" (including the Czech Republic), meaning the competition is geographically limited, naturally increasing your chances of success. The ideal applicants are universities and research organizations with strong application potential in deep tech sectors—specifically medtech, sectech, cleantech, and robotics.
However, a strong regional presence and a robust partner network are essential. To succeed, your project must unite four distinct categories of actors, known as the "Quadruple Helix":
Academic institutions (universities, non-university research centers, or labs).
Business entities, including SMEs, start-ups and spin-offs.
Public authorities (regional or local government bodies, authorized agencies).
Societal actors (civil society organizations, end-users, media, or cultural actors).
Beyond the Grant: Long-Term Benefits
While the financial support is highly attractive, the true value of Excellence Hubs lies in its strategic impact. This is likely one of the last calls of its kind under the WIDERA scheme, making it a "now or never" opportunity. Historically, about 40% of these projects evolve into long-term strategic collaborations and business relationships.
Other long-term benefits include:
- Development of joint research and innovation strategies with European reach.
- Synergistic investment plans utilizing national, regional, and private capital.
- New competencies for researchers and fresh business opportunities for deep tech start-ups and spin-offs.
How enovation Can Secure Your Success
We understand that the biggest fear for clients is the complexity of building and managing an international consortium. That is exactly where enovation steps in. As a leader in subsidy consultancy, we act as consortium creators and coordinators. We handle the entire project management process, including communication, dissemination, and exploitation services, allowing you to focus on the innovation itself.
These projects require meticulous conceptualization, role negotiation, and commitment resolution. To ensure a high-quality application, preparation must begin at least 5 months before the April 3, 2027 deadline.
Contact enovation today to discuss your project potential.
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