European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Projects under this topic will contribute to the following outcomes: Accelerate market expansion for European deep tech startups across EU regions and beyond by fostering collaboration and mutual support among European tech startup ecosystem actors; Establish robust, pan-European alliances of top-tier tech startup and scaleup hubs embedded in research, technology and higher education ecosystems; Enable cross-border access to infrastructures, facilities, corporates, investors and talents to deep tech startups and scaleups, including those funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC); Enable more European deep tech startups to succeed scaling into globally competitive companies; Strengthen less-connected innovation hubs by integrating them into a Europe-wide collaborative network; Mobilise greater private and public capital into deep tech ventures across participating innovation hubs. Scope: This action builds upon the EU’s strategic vision outlined in the EU Competitiveness Compass [1] , the EIC scaling strategy [2] , and the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy [3] . It aligns with the objectives of strengthening Europe’s deep tech capabilities, increasing regional innovation cohesion and supporting the growth of globally competitive companies. The EU must act decisively to close the innovation gap with other world regions by enabling more commercial successes based on its scientific excellence. While Europe generates world-class research, European deep tech startups often struggle to scale into global champions. The European Startup & Scaleup Hubs (ESSH) pilot will address this structural weakness by creating a connected network of Europe’s leading and emerging startup supporting structures, embedded in innovation ecosystems that bring together universities, research and higher education institutions, research and technology organisations, corporates, entrepreneurs and investors, while also encouraging these hubs to expand their activities. The action aims to pilot a network of around 10-18 ESSHs — highly capable startup and scaleup hubs deeply integrated with leading research, technology and higher education institutions and strong track records in venture building, scaling, and investment attraction as well as providing entrepreneurial education. These hubs shall collaborate across borders to: Open their ecosystems to non-local startups, enabling scaling through access to talent, corporates, capital, infrastructure, facilities and mentoring. Foster shared infrastructure and expertise, including access to labs, facilities, research departments, and innovation services. Support pan-European startup development, for both local and network-partner startups, including EIC-supported ventures, by connecting startups to relevant services of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), EU industry cluster organisations, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) [4] , Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and technology (EIT) and other EU, national, regional or local instruments. Bridge regional gaps by integrating less-connected hubs into the network via mentoring, shared services, and capacity building. Particular attention should be paid to enable deep tech spinoffs, startups and scaleups accessing resources, services and contacts not directly available in their local innovation hubs to facilitate the expansion of their operations in the single market. The selected pilot ESSHs will form a “Champions League of startup hubs”, committed to supporting each other’s startups including EIC supported ventures and Seal of Excellence holders, thus catalysing a new norm of intra-European scaling. ESSHs will serve as role model for emerging hubs in Europe and share best practices. The selected pilot ESSHs should organise one of their yearly meetings at the margins of the EIC summit and will be invited to participate actively in the yearly EIC summit meeting. The indicative project durati Programme areas: European innovation ecosystems, Innovative Europe, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Incubator companies, Innovation support services, Internationalisation - Market access, Market-creating innovation, New business opportunities, Spin-off companies, Start-up companies

Pillar III: Science comes to town 2028 is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: The successful proposal will deliver on the impact “Increased alignment of research with society’s needs, expectations and values”. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Strengthened capacity, networks and involvement of the participating cities in science communication and citizen engagement in science; More informed, evidence-based policymaking and increased public engagement through inclusive and participatory discussions and debates on science and R&I policy; Improved attractiveness of diverse careers in R&I for younger generations. Scope: This topic supports a small group of cities in organising and hosting a joint 1-year programme “Science comes to town 2028”. The programme should have a robust concept and brand focusing on connecting citizens and science while involving all relevant stakeholders (e.g., researchers, research funders, policymakers, publishers, citizens, civil society organisations, and business community). Various events and activities should be organised, highlighting the latest R&I developments and their contribution to society (including projects supported by national/regional/EU funds). Applicants should experiment with novel formats that are inclusive and participatory and engage diverse age and social groups at local, regional, and European levels. In project activities, particular attention should be paid to promoting inclusive gender equality and addressing gender-specific challenges. Special emphasis should be placed on exploring and supporting citizen science to promote both science education and multiple forms of public engagement with science. In addition, the programme of activities should include the following two components: EUCYS (European Union Contest for Young Scientists): science competition, awarding prizes and awards, for 14- to 20-year-olds who are first prize winners of national science contests for school science projects. EU TalentOn (European Union Contest for Early Career Researchers): science competition, awarding prizes and awards, bringing together at least 100 early-career researchers, 21-35 of age, to work on scientific solutions to societal challenges. The 2028 editions of EUCYS and EU TalentOn will take place in the third quarter of 2028, customarily in September [1] . Applicants are encouraged to establish synergies with the European Researchers’ Night and the Researchers at School initiative, funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions [2] . Programmed activities should create a link with the preceding [3] and subsequent edition of “Science comes to town”, fostering cohesion and growth of the initiative. The programme should take place in a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 cities located in at least 3 different Members States and/or Associated Countries, with the majority located in Member States. The consortium can include organisations that can represent the host cities and/or join them in designing and implementing the project activities. Local partners that provide a connection to R&I should be included. Applicants should provide commitment letters from the public authorities of each participating city, signed by the highest authorities (such as the mayor or equivalent city governance representative), demonstrating strong commitment for the activities included in the proposal. The proposal should clearly explain how the city will contribute to the initiative and outline its specific roles, resources, and support. Proposals should demonstrate the consortium’s ability to mobilise substantial resources beyond the Union contribution, including monetary or in-kind sponsorships, to support and expand the planned activities. Applicants may choose to further increase the impact and added value by incorporating additional events and activities, financed by other resources, by engaging ‘satellite’ cities to reach more communities. The consortium will report on the implementation of the planned activi Programme areas: Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area, Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Democratic engagement and civic participation

Pillar II: Piloting innovative approaches to support academic startups and spinoffs is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Proposals will deliver on the impact of “Stronger translation of R&I results into society and economy”, contributing to the ERA Structural Policy “Upscaling knowledge valorisation capacities and activities”. Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes: Upgraded guidance and services for supporting early-stage academic spinoffs and startups to bring their innovative solutions to market; Tested and shared innovative valorisation best practices addressing the needs of early-stage academic spinoffs and startups for engaging with industry, societal actors, and end-users. Scope: The objective of this topic is to strengthen ecosystems for knowledge valorisation and innovation by supporting academic startups and spinoffs to benefit from end-user feedback and links to industry and society. The topic supports the objectives of the Startup and Scaleup Strategy [1] by fostering the market uptake of innovative solutions. Academic startups and spinoffs need access to excellent support services to commercialise their research and bring their innovations to market. Beyond technology validation, there is a need to test the desirability of their products and services with a broader public, learn from citizens’ feedback, and adapt and improve their value propositions to improve their prospects for collaborating with industrial partners, attracting investors, and growing locally and internationally. A variety of organisations – such as science parks, technology parks, living labs, hubs, and practitioners in citizen engagement for knowledge valorisation – engage societal actors in experimentation practices that aim to support, at an early stage, the market uptake and growth of university spinoffs and startups. To be effective, such practices need to align with the fast pace of innovation and integrate skills and methods from different areas, drawing also from the social sciences and humanities, and the arts and design. To achieve the expected outcomes, proposals should address the activities outlined below and propose any additional, complementary activities: At least 20 pilot actions across Europe enabling university spinoffs and technology startups to link up to end-users, societal actors, industry, and other stakeholders to boost market uptake and growth. Development of guidance and services, including methodologies and best practices to support spinoffs and startups, where testing and validating their innovative solutions to better fit society and the market is important. Proposals should describe their target group in terms of its scope and size. A wide geographical coverage, inclusivity, broad participation, and accessibility should be ensured. In project activities, particular attention should be paid to promoting inclusive gender equality and addressing gender-specific challenges. Projects are expected to contribute to the EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform , which highlights best practices for knowledge valorisation. Additionally, projects are expected to establish synergies with ongoing projects under the topic “Experimentation and exchange of good practices for value creation” [2] , taking their results into account. Expected project duration is up to 2 years without prejudice to a longer duration if justified. [1] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/jobs-and-economy/eu-startup-and-scaleup-strategy_en . [2] Funded under HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ERA-01-03 and HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-01-05 . Programme areas: Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area, Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System, Horizon Europe (HORIZON)

NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I is a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration offering up to $150,000 to U.S.-based small business concerns (SBCs) for feasibility research on innovative technologies aligned with NASA's mission areas. Phase I awards support the development of concepts with high potential for commercialization and transition to Phase II. Applications for the 2026 cycle were due March 10, 2026. NASA SBIR funds R&D in areas including space exploration, aeronautics, science instruments, Earth observation, and advanced manufacturing, providing small businesses with non-dilutive capital and a pathway to federal contracts.