MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Opens: €593M for Doctoral Training, Plus the EIC's €15.5bn Impact Report and This Week's Deadlines

08 June 2026 · Strategic Funding Partners

Published 08 June 2026 · SFP Pulse · Weekly Research

> The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call opens with €593 million for doctoral training, as the EIC reports €15.5 billion in portfolio value and the Biotech Act II consultation closes this week.

A significant week for EU R&I. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have opened the 2026 Doctoral Networks call, putting €593 million on the table to train Europe's next generation of researchers. Alongside that, the European Innovation Council has published its 2026 Impact Report showing €15.5 billion in portfolio value, the Commission's Biotech Act II call for evidence closes this week, updated Horizon Europe lump sum guidance is now live, and the 2026 European Semester Spring Package has reinforced the political case for R&I investment across Member States.

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MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Opens: €593M to Train Europe's Next Researchers

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are Horizon Europe's flagship programme for researcher training and mobility. Doctoral Networks fund international, cross-sector partnerships that deliver joint doctoral programmes, training highly skilled researchers across academia and industry.

The 2026 Doctoral Networks call (HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN-01) opened on 28 May 2026 with an indicative budget of €593 million, one of the largest single training calls in the current Horizon Europe programme. It is expected to fund over 130 projects and support the training of around 1,950 doctoral candidates across all scientific fields. The call covers standard Doctoral Networks alongside Industrial Doctorates and Joint Doctorates, and this year introduces RAISE Doctoral Networks, a pilot dedicated to AI in science. The deadline for proposals is 24 November 2026.

For universities and research-intensive organisations, this is the year's headline opportunity to build or join a doctoral training consortium. Strong proposals take months to assemble the right partners, so now is the time to start. SFP can help you scope a consortium, position your role, and develop a competitive application.

> 🎓 Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 (HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN-01) > > Budget: €593 million | Projects: 130+ expected > > Doctoral candidates: Approx. 1,950 | Opened: 28 May 2026 > > Deadline: 24 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

> Source: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, European Research Executive Agency

EU Biotech Act II Consultation Closes This Week

The EU Biotech Act is the Commission's legislative package to modernise and strengthen Europe's biotechnology policy framework. Biotech Act II is the second phase of this initiative, focused on industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

The Commission opened its call for evidence on Biotech Act II on 18 May 2026, and it closes on Wednesday 10 June 2026 through the Have Your Say portal. Responses will feed the impact assessment ahead of a legislative proposal expected in the third quarter of 2026, shaping how the EU supports platform-based biomanufacturing, regulatory simplification, and infrastructure for bio-based industries.

This is a direct opportunity for sector organisations to influence EU legislation before it is finalised, and the window closes within days of this edition. If your organisation operates in health, agri-food, or industrial biotech, this consultation is worth a fast response. SFP can help prepare and submit a consultation response.

> 📋 Consultation: EU Biotech Act II call for evidence > > Opened: 18 May 2026 | Closes: Wednesday 10 June 2026 > > Focus: Industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing > > Key sectors: Health, agri-food, industrial biotech

> Source: European Commission, Have Your Say

Horizon Europe Lump Sum Guidance Updated: V1.5 Published 1 June 2026

Lump sum grants are an increasingly standard format under Horizon Europe, replacing detailed cost reporting with upfront fixed budgets per work package. Reporting focuses on scientific deliverables rather than financial transactions, making the grants simpler to manage once the budget is agreed.

The European Commission published Version 1.5 of the "How to manage your lump sum grants" guidance on 1 June 2026. The updated document clarifies grant implementation procedures, payment logic, and cost reporting requirements for lump sum actions under Horizon Europe. This is the official reference for beneficiaries managing these grants.

All organisations with active Horizon Europe lump sum grants, or preparing future applications under lump sum calls, should ensure their project and finance teams have reviewed the updated guidance. SFP can support teams in aligning their project management approach with the latest requirements.

> 📄 Document: How to manage your lump sum grants, V1.5 > > Published: 1 June 2026 > > Applies to: Horizon Europe lump sum grants

> Source: UKRO · EC Funding and Tenders Portal

European Semester Spring Package 2026: A Clear Call to Step Up R&I

The European Semester is the EU's annual cycle for coordinating national economic policies. Each year, the Commission publishes country-specific recommendations as part of the Spring Package, providing direct guidance on public investment priorities including research and innovation.

On 3 June 2026, the Commission adopted the 2026 European Semester Spring Package. It includes a clear call on Member States to step up their investment in research and innovation, a strong political signal about national R&I spending expectations for the current period.

For research organisations and universities seeking nationally co-funded R&I support, this signal strengthens the political case for national R&I budgets and may influence the design of future calls under national programmes, structural funds, and recovery plans. SFP works across both EU-level and nationally-aligned funding streams and can help you position your pipeline accordingly.

> 🏛️ Document: European Semester Spring Package 2026 > > Published: 3 June 2026 > > Signal: Member States called to increase R&I investment

> Source: European Commission, DG Research and Innovation

EIC Impact Report 2026: €15.5 Billion in Returns, Three Unicorns, and a New Scaling Programme

The European Innovation Council published its 2026 Impact Report on 4 June at the EIC Innovation Summit, attended by approximately 2,500 participants. The headline figure: the EIC portfolio now represents €15.5 billion in total economic value: a 7.4× return on EU investment. Three EIC-backed companies have reached unicorn status, and the portfolio includes more than 300 spinouts.

At the Summit, the EIC also launched EIC Scaling Club 2.0, a new dedicated programme for EIC Accelerator alumni to access tailored scale-up support. Applications for the Scaling Club 2.0 CSA are open now with a deadline of 25 June 2026.

For organisations considering an EIC application, this data strengthens the case. The returns are measurable, the programme is expanding, and the alumni network is being built into a formal scaling infrastructure. SFP supports EIC Accelerator applicants across the full application cycle.

> 📊 Report: EIC Impact Report 2026 > > Published: 4 June 2026 | Event: EIC Innovation Summit, 3–4 June 2026 > > Portfolio value: €15.5 billion | Return: 7.4× on EU investment > > Unicorns: 3 | Spinouts: 300+ > > EIC Scaling Club 2.0 deadline: 25 June 2026

> Source: European Innovation Council

> If you want a focused, strategically aligned shortlist of the most relevant calls for your organisation, SFP Analysis maps the EU funding landscape against your business strategy.

Featured Calls

These are the most popular calls on Discovery this week. Get in touch if you would like to find out whether you could be a fit.

> 🧬 HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-01: Virtual Human Twin (VHT) Models for Cancer Research > > Budget: €35M | Deadline: 15 September 2026 > > Programme: Horizon Europe, Mission Cancer | Status: Open (opened 10 February 2026) > > Thematic Areas: Cancer research, virtual human twins, computational modelling, personalised oncology > > Fit signal: Research organisations, hospitals, universities, and companies developing virtual human twin and computational models for cancer research and personalised care

> 🤝 CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT: Town Twinning 2026 > > Budget: €6M | Deadline: 23 September 2026 > > Programme: CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) | Status: Open (opened 6 May 2026) > > Thematic Areas: Citizen engagement, town twinning, European remembrance, civic participation > > Fit signal: Municipalities, local authorities, and civil society organisations fostering cross-border town partnerships and citizen engagement

> 🚔 ISF-2026-TF2-AG-OCDT: Organised crime and drug trafficking > > Budget: €16.55M | Deadline: 3 September 2026 > > Programme: Internal Security Fund (ISF) | Status: Open (opened 21 May 2026) > > Thematic Areas: Organised crime, drug trafficking, law enforcement cooperation, public security > > Fit signal: Law enforcement authorities, public bodies, and research organisations tackling organised crime and drug trafficking

> Interested in pursuing any of these calls? Request a free concept note to find out how your organisation fits and what a winning proposal could look like.

New Calls This Week

1 new call was added since the last SFP Pulse Edition. Highlights below.

Widening Participation and ERA (WIDERA):

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-04-WIDENING-01 ⇢ Excellence Hubs (forthcoming, opens 2 September 2026) Budget: €100 million | Deadline: 4 March 2027

The calls below were shared around last week's edition and remain open:

European Research Council (ERC):

ERC-2026-PLUS ⇢ ERC Plus Grants Budget: €210 million | Deadline: 2 September 2026

EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (Quantum):

HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-PQC-06-01 ⇢ Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies Budget: €10 million | Deadline: 26 January 2027

HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QML-07-01 ⇢ Quantum Machine Learning Budget: €3 million | Deadline: 28 January 2027

HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-STAND-05-01 ⇢ Standards for Quantum Technologies Budget: €1 million | Deadline: 19 January 2027

HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NGC-04-01 ⇢ Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation Budget: €2 million | Deadline: 14 January 2027

> Want to browse and track these opportunities (and many more) in one place? Explore them on Discovery, our free personalised dashboard.

Calls Opening This Week

One call opens this week.

European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE):

HORIZON-EIE-2026-03-CONNECT-01 ⇢ From lab to market: Strengthening the role of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) Budget: €5 million | Opens: Tuesday 9 June 2026 | Deadline: 22 September 2026

> Stay ahead of new opportunities as they open. Sign up to Discovery for real-time alerts and curated recommendations.

Closing Soon

These deadlines are approaching, but there’s still time to act. Proposal Builder gives you senior co-authoring and expert EU funding support through to submission.

CREA-MEDIA-2026-FILMOVE ⇢ Films on the Move Budget: €21 million | Deadline: Thursday 16 July 2026

CREA-MEDIA-2026-CINNET ⇢ Networks of European Cinemas Budget: €17.47 million | Deadline: Thursday 9 July 2026

SOCPL-2026-SOC-DIALOG ⇢ Support for social dialogue Budget: €13.25 million | Deadline: Thursday 23 July 2026

HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-ICAPITAL-01 ⇢ European Capital of Innovation Award (iCapital category) Budget: €1.8 million | Deadline: Tuesday 4 August 2026

HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-ICAPITAL-02 ⇢ European Capital of Innovation Award (Rising Innovator category) Budget: €1.8 million | Deadline: Tuesday 4 August 2026

PPPA-2026-BORN-DIGITAL-HERITAGE ⇢ Safeguarding Europe's Born-digital Heritage Budget: €1.99 million | Deadline: Thursday 16 July 2026

> These deadlines are approaching, but there’s still enough runway to prepare a competitive proposal. Proposal Builder gives you senior co-authoring and expert EU funding support through to submission.

Upcoming Events

European Sustainable Energy Week 2026 (EUSEW) ⇢ The EU's flagship energy event, with policy sessions relevant to clean energy innovation and funding. Hosted by CINEA and DG Energy.

Date: 9–11 June 2026 | Location: Brussels + Online

Innovation Fund Stakeholder Consultation on IF26 Calls for Proposals ⇢ Hybrid stakeholder event on the upcoming Innovation Fund 2026 Call for Proposals (IF26), hosted by DG CLIMA.

Date: Friday 19 June 2026 | Location: Brussels + Online

Apply AI Webinar: AI for Cultural, Creative and Media Sectors ⇢ Commission webinar on AI use cases and sector needs in cultural, creative and media industries, under the Apply AI Strategy.

Date: 24 June 2026, 10:30–11:30 CET | Location: Online

Stay Ahead

> 🔍 SFP Discovery – Browse open calls and track deadlines in one place:

> 🎯 SFP Analysis – Get a tailored shortlist of the most relevant calls for your strategy:

> ✏️ Proposal Builder – Senior support to co-author competitive proposals through to submission:

> 🚀 Explore EU funding on Discovery: Browse open calls, track deadlines, and find your next opportunity at strategicfundingpartners.eu/discovery Strategic Opportunities Report: Want a tailored breakdown of funding opportunities for your organisation? Email info@strategicfundingpartners.eu to find out more.