Find out how to apply to VInnovate 2026
Timeline
Key Dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 2, 2026, 17:00 CET | Call opens |
| September 10, 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for Project Fit Form submission |
| October 10, 2026, 23:59 CET | Deadline for full proposal submission |
| Second half of December 2026 | Results communicated to applicants |
| January 2027 – February 2027 | Consortium agreement signing and funding negotiations (subject to regional/national rules) |
Step 1 — Support for Designing Your Project Idea and Consortium (Optional)
Potential applicants — especially SMEs — can take advantage of a range of support activities and tools organised by VI Pilots and the VInnovate Manager to help shape their proposals and build their consortia.
Project Generation Webinars
One Info Session and five “Project-building” webinars have been scheduled to help stakeholders develop and present their project ideas, and to connect with complementary partners:
| Session | Date & Time | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Project-Building Webinar #1 | March 19, 2026 (10:00 – 11:30) CET | Register here |
| Project-Building Webinar #2 | April 23, 2026 (10:00 – 11:30 CET) | Register here |
| Project-Building Webinar #3 | May 27, 2026 (10:00 – 11:30 CET) | Register here |
| Project-Building Webinar #4 | June 30, 2026 (10:00 – 11:30 CET) | Register here |
| Project-Building Webinar #5 | August 27, 2026 (10:00 – 11:30 CET) | Register here |
During each webinar, participants can pitch a project idea through a short presentation in order to identify potential partners.
Online Matchmaking Tool
An online matchmaking platform is available to help stakeholders find the right partners and explore project ideas. Any organisation active within the scope of the 6 Pilots can:
- Create a profile and express interest in the VInnovate Call 2026.
- Specify the type of partners they are looking for.
- Browse and contact organisations that have already expressed interest.
Step 2 — Submission of the Project Fit Form (Compulsory)
Submission window: March 2 – September 10 2026
Deadline: September 10, 2026, 23:59 CET
Why is this step required?
The Project Fit Form is designed to help applicants verify that their project idea meets the VInnovate Call 2026 eligibility criteria. Through a series of self-declaration statements, the form guides consortia in assessing their eligibility and building a compliant interregional partnership.
How to submit
- Download the Project Fit Form template here.
- Complete the form — one per “international” consortium.
- Send the form as an email attachment to vinnovate@s3vanguardinitiative.eu. The submission must be made by the interregional project coordinator.
💡 Tip: Submit your Project Fit Form as early as possible to allow more time for preparing the full proposal (see Step 4).
Step 3 – What is assessed?
The VInnovate Manager will review each submitted Project Fit Form, focusing on:
- Compliance with the VInnovate eligibility criteria.
- Alignment between the consortium partners, their activities, and the targeted regional funding instruments.
⚠️ Important: This assessment does not evaluate the quality of the proposed project, nor does it constitute a binding regional eligibility check. Those aspects will be addressed in Steps 4 and 5.
Possible outcomes
Applicants will receive an email from the VInnovate Manager informing them of the result:
| Outcome | What happens next |
|---|---|
| Positive assessment | The consortium may proceed to submit their regional proposals (see Step 4). Preparation can begin before receiving the assessment. Note: a positive assessment does not guarantee selection for funding. |
| Negative assessment | The consortium may revise and resubmit the Project Fit Form before the deadline (September 10, 2026, 23:59 CET). |
Step 4 — Submission of Regional Proposals
Prerequisite: Positive assessment of the Project Fit Form (see Step 3) Deadline: October 10, 2026, 23:59 CET
What are regional proposals?
Once the Project Fit Form has been positively assessed, each partner in the consortium must submit a proposal to their corresponding regional or national funding agency, following the procedures and requirements applicable at regional/national level. These can be consulted here and on the respective funding instruments’ webpages.
How are the proposals structured?
All regional proposals submitted by partners of the same VInnovate project share a common interregional core, including:
- Description of the project’s scope and main activities.
- Overview of the consortium partners.
- Expected overall impacts.
In addition, each partner may need to provide specific information required by their regional funding agency.
Required attachment
Each applicant must include a draft consortium agreement (unsigned) with their regional proposal. A template (purely indicative) is available here and must be adapted to the specifics of the project.
Step 5 — Evaluation, Decision and Communication of Results
Expected communication of results: Second half of December 2026
How are projects selected?
Each regional funding agency will evaluate the proposals submitted by their respective applicants according to their own evaluation processes. A project is selected for funding only when all regions involved in the consortium have selected the project for funding.
The list of selected projects will be communicated to applicants in the second half of December 2026.
Step 6 — Agreements, Contracts, Funding and Monitoring
Consortium Agreement
Selected consortia must sign a consortium agreement before entering into contracts with their respective funding agencies. The complete set of signatures is a prerequisite for funding.
Funding and Monitoring
Each partner will receive funding from their corresponding national or regional agency, in accordance with its respective rules. This includes:
- Financial and technical reporting, as required by each national/regional agency.
- Funding negotiations, during which specific arrangements will be agreed upon.
⚠️ Important: Projects selected for funding are expected to start their activities no later than 3 months after the funding decision is confirmed.
For further details, please consult the Guide for Applicants.