Excellence Hubs support strengthening regional innovation in Widening countries. 

Find out more about the Excellence Hubs funding opportunity for Widening countries and how to build a successful application for your project.

For innovation to happen, multiple players need to join forces, such as academic institutions, business entities, public authorities and societal actors (e.g. civil society organisations, citizens, end users, media, cultural actors etc.). All have the crucial role of keeping a balance between the world’s needs and the end-products of the innovation process. 

This is known as the ‘Quadruple Helix’ model of innovation and collaboration.

This innovation model stands at the basis of the Excellence Hubs an EU-funded action, soon to launch its second ever call for project proposals. 

Excellence Hubs focus on innovation in Widening countries and beyond. They allow innovation ecosystems to team up and create better connections between academia, business, government and society. To be eligible for Excellence hubs, the coordinator must be from a Widening country however the participants in the project can be from any country associated to the Horizon Europe programme.

The first call for proposals of this action was launched in November 2021, with 13 selected projects and more than EUR 50 million in Horizon Europe funding available.

The second call for proposals will open on 28 September 2023, with an overall indicative budget of EUR 60 million. 

Excellence hubs are part of the European Excellence Initiative and complement the science-oriented schemes: Teaming, Twinning ERA Chairs and the European Excellence Initiative for universities by a dedicated innovation component.  

More information on submitting proposals can be found in the PWork Program for the period 2023-2024 and the Funding & Tenders portal.

According to the announcement, the call - Centers of Excellence opens on September 28, 2023, and closes on March 7, 2024.

Watch the recording of the latest Horizon Europe info day - WIDERA Work Programme 2023-2024 (the section on Excellence Hubs starts at 2h:26, followed by Q&A), and check the Topic related FAQ that are continuously updated. 

Source: Excellence Hubs: strengthening regional innovation in Widening countries (europa.eu)