Persons with disabilities: opportunities for labour inclusion and social protection through the life course

Overview

Funding for research and innovation projects that improve labour market inclusion and social protection for persons with disabilities across the life course. Targets policymakers, researchers, employers, and disability organisations to develop evidence-based interventions and scalable solutions.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, public authorities, non-governmental organisations, social service providers, and consortia involving persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. Private sector entities, including SMEs, may participate if aligned with the call’s objectives.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 5,000,000 EUR per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Co-funding requirements are not specified.

What Is Funded

Projects must address at least two of the following:

• Development of implementable, disaggregated data to inform policymaking on disability employment gaps.
• Scalable, person-centred interventions for labour market inclusion, adaptable to evolving work contexts.
• Innovative policy approaches to social protection, compensating for disability-related costs while encouraging open labour market participation.
• Analysis of barriers to employment, including workplace accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and employer practices.
• Exploration of digital tools, assistive technologies, and AI to enhance labour inclusion.
• Pathways for transitioning from sheltered to open employment, including self-employment, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.
• Assessment of social protection systems, including disability benefits, in-kind support, and pension transitions, to avoid benefit traps.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must operate at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6, focusing on applied research and piloting of solutions.

Key Dates

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

Application Process (High-Level)

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

Post-Award Obligations

• The granting authority may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years post-project.
• Standard Horizon Europe reporting requirements apply, including financial and technical progress updates.

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 involve persons with disabilities and their representative organisations as stakeholders.
• Data collection should align with Eurostat standards and existing international question sets.
• Complementarity with related Horizon Europe projects is encouraged but not mandatory.