Tackling child poverty and ensuring disadvantaged children's access to Early Childhood Education and Care

Overview

Funding for research projects that generate EU-specific insights into the cost of child poverty and the benefits of ensuring disadvantaged children’s access to quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Targets policymakers, researchers, and organizations working to reduce child poverty and improve ECEC participation.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include legal entities (e.g., universities, research institutions, public bodies, NGOs, and private organizations) from EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. Consortia are encouraged but not mandatory.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €6,000,000
• Funding rate: Not specified (lump-sum funding model)
• Total budget: Not specified
• Co-funding: Not required, but eligible costs must align with lump-sum principles

What Is Funded

Projects must address one or more of the following:

• Defining disadvantaged children beyond monetary poverty, incorporating systemic marginalization.
• Estimating the cost of child poverty and the returns of ECEC participation, including economic, social, wellbeing, and educational outcomes.
• Investigating barriers to ECEC access for disadvantaged children.
• Mapping cost-efficient policies to reduce child poverty, comparing ECEC with other interventions.
• Developing evidence-based policy advice and scalable practices to close the ECEC participation gap.
• Research methodologies may include qualitative, quantitative, or experimental approaches, leveraging existing or new datasets.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 4 (technology validated in lab) and 6 (technology demonstrated in relevant environment).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-05-11
• Deadline: 2026-09-22

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage application process.
• Submission via the [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal).
• Mandatory use of the standard application form (Part B limited to 50 pages) and a detailed budget table.

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting obligations as outlined in the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement.
• The granting authority may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years post-project.
• Dissemination of project outcomes to policymakers and stakeholders is expected.

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 align with the European Pillar of Social Rights and contribute to fiscal sustainability and inclusive growth.
• Involvement of experts by experience (e.g., vulnerable children and parents) is encouraged.
• Proposals must adhere to the lump-sum funding model, with costs defined in advance.