Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedom

Overview

Funding for research and innovation projects addressing data gaps in the European news media sector, focusing on user-centric solutions to enhance media freedom, resilience, and sustainability. Targets consortia of academia, civil society, and news media representatives to develop tools, business models, and audience measurement systems.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising academia (including social sciences and humanities), civil society organizations, and news media sector representatives (e.g., journalists, influencers, content creators). Eligible applicants must be based in EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, or specified third countries with funding provisions.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €5,000,000
• Funding type: Lump sum
• Funding rate: Not specified (standard Horizon Europe rules apply)

What Is Funded

Projects addressing one or more of the following:

• European consumer and market data to analyze audience behavior, including tools for audience measurement.
• Identification of market failures in democracy-critical news sectors (e.g., local media, investigative journalism) and scalable business models.
• Development and testing of small-scale, user-centric business models for citizen involvement in news production, monetization, and distribution.
• Mapping and interoperability of audience measurement systems, metadata taxonomies, and industry federation strategies.
• Dissemination of actionable insights and best practices for industry and policymakers.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 4 to 6 (validation in lab to demonstration in relevant environment).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-05-12
• Deadline: 2027-09-22

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must adhere to page limits and formatting guidelines outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Post-Award Obligations

• Compliance with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles.
• Collaboration with relevant EU-funded projects and clustering activities.
• Reporting and dissemination of results, including interactive sessions and policy recommendations.
• Potential restrictions on ownership transfers or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Projects must adopt an intersectional approach to address underserved societal groups.
• Preference for leveraging data from European Research Infrastructures (EOSC) and relevant Data Spaces.
• Consortia are encouraged to collaborate with projects funded under prior EU calls (e.g., Horizon 2020 TRANSFORMATIONS-10-2020, Horizon Europe HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-06).