Funding Programs and Open Calls

Below you can find information about funding programs and open calls offered by the European Union.

Horizon Europe

Definition: The European Union's largest research and innovation programme, covering the years 2021-2027.

Objectives: To boost scientific excellence, deliver innovative solutions to global challenges, and strengthen industrial competitiveness.

Who Can Benefit? Researchers, academics, public institutions, and the private sector.

Open Calls: https://ufukavrupa.org.tr/tr/cagri-acilisi

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)

Definition: A fund established by the European Union (EU) to provide financial and technical support to countries preparing for EU membership.

Objectives: To accelerate the EU alignment process by supporting political, institutional, social, and economic reforms in candidate and potential candidate countries.

Structure and Duration: IPA funds, consolidated under a single framework since 2007, are implemented in 7-year periods parallel to the EU budget cycles.

Türkiye's Position: Türkiye is one of the largest beneficiaries of IPA funds among countries preparing for EU membership (approximately €9.2 billion supporting nearly 900 projects since 2002).

IPA III Programming Period (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/ipa-iii-donemi_51805.html

Note: As the IPA programme typically has a broader scope and calls are opened under different projects and sectors, it is more beneficial to follow the relevant sections of institutions like the Directorate for EU Affairs rather than a single "open calls" page.

European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+)

Definition: An EU financing instrument designed to support sustainable development in neighbouring countries and those covered by the enlargement policy.

Objectives: To improve the investment climate, encourage private sector investments, and support economic growth, thereby helping partner countries achieve their development goals.

Supported Areas: Renewable energy, digitalisation, sustainable agriculture, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and infrastructure projects.

EFSD+ Workshop for Opportunities in Türkiye (IPA): https://ipa.gov.tr/avrupa-surdurulebilir-kalkinma-fonu-arti-efsd-turkiye-icin-firsatlar-calistayi/

Note: While there isn't a direct "open calls" page, opportunities from this fund are typically announced through institutions like the Directorate for EU Affairs in Türkiye or relevant ministries.

Erasmus+ Programme

Definition: The European Union's programme in education, youth, and sport.

Objectives: To enhance individuals' skills and employability, modernise education systems, and foster European citizenship through higher education, vocational training, school education, adult education, and youth activities.

Who Can Benefit? Higher education institutions, vocational training organisations, schools, adult education providers, youth organisations, and sports clubs.

Supported Areas: Education technologies, digital skill development, innovative teaching approaches, and student and staff mobility.

Erasmus+ Programme Open Calls (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/erasmus-programi-acik-cagrilar_51898.html

European Union Civil Society Dialogue Programme

Definition: A programme run by the European Union to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) in Türkiye and support the development of civil society.

Objectives: To help CSOs enhance their capacities, conduct advocacy activities, build networks, and provide solutions to societal problems.

Civil Society Dialogue Programme Support (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/sivil-dusun-destekleri_52148.html

Digital Europe Programme

Definition: A new-generation programme aiming to strengthen Europe's digital capacities and accelerate the widespread adoption of digital technologies.

Objectives: To invest in areas such as High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and the wider deployment of digital technologies.

Digital Europe Programme (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/53088.html

Note: This page recommends visiting the "Funding and Tenders" portal, which serves as the central platform for all EU funds and tenders.

COSME (Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs)

Definition: An EU programme aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Supported Areas: Providing SMEs with access to finance, supporting internationalisation, improving the business environment, and enhancing competitiveness.

COSME Programme Open Calls (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/cosme-programi-acik-cagrilar_51904.html

Single Market Programme

Definition: Designed to ensure the more efficient functioning of the EU Single Market and to enhance competitiveness.

Supported Areas: Consumer protection, improving the business environment, public procurement, and statistics. Türkiye specifically participates in the COSME component of this programme.

Horizon Europe Cascading Calls (May 2025) (may include some calls related to the Single Market Programme): https://ufukavrupa.org.tr/tr/haberler/ufuk-avrupa-kademeli-cagrilar-cascading-calls-mayis-2025

Note: The Single Market Programme typically includes calls for SME support and competitiveness. It is more appropriate to follow the calls of its relevant components (e.g., COSME) rather than a single "open calls" page.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC)

Definition: A programme supporting young people's participation in solidarity activities.

Objectives: To enable young people to develop a sense of social responsibility and contribute to societal needs through volunteering, traineeships, and job projects.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Open Calls (Directorate for EU Affairs): https://www.ab.gov.tr/avrupa-dayanisma-programi-acik-cagrilar_51905.html

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) (Turkish National Agency): https://www.ua.gov.tr/anasayfa/icerikler/esc/

Customs Programme

Definition: Designed to support the functioning of the customs union and enhance cooperation among customs administrations in EU member states and participating countries.

Note: This programme is generally designed for cooperation and modernisation projects among national customs administrations. There isn't a direct "open calls" page. It can be followed through relevant ministries or the EU Commission's general "Funding & Tenders" portal. T.C. Ministry of Foreign Affairs' General Customs Information Page: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye_ye-ait-gumruk-bilgileri.tr.mfa

EU Regional and Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes (Interreg Programmes)

Definition: Promote cooperation between EU member and neighbouring countries to find solutions to common challenges in border regions and support regional development.

Türkiye's Participation: Türkiye actively participates in programmes such as the Interreg IPA Bulgaria-Türkiye Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, particularly in its border regions with Bulgaria, and the Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme.

Interreg IPA Bulgaria-Türkiye Cross-Border Cooperation Programme: https://cbc.ab.gov.tr/bg-tr

Second Call of the Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (IPA): https://ipa.gov.tr/interreg-next-akdeniz-havzasi-programi-nin-ikinci-cagrisinin-basvuru-sureci-basladi/

EUREKA and Eurostars

Definition: EUREKA, a pan-European network supporting international cooperation in R&D and innovation projects. Eurostars, a part of EUREKA, specifically supporting market-driven research and innovation projects carried out by SMEs.

Türkiye's Position: Türkiye is an active member of the EUREKA network.

1719 Eureka Network Calls: https://tubitak.gov.tr/tr/destekler/sanayi/uluslararasi-ortakli-destek-programlari/1719-eureka-network-cagrilari

1709 EUREKA-EUROSTARS: https://tubitak.gov.tr/tr/duyuru/1709-eureka-eurostars-20251-cagrisi-acildi

European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)

Definition: An EU initiative established to foster innovation and enhance Europe's competitiveness. It brings together education, research, and innovation through thematic areas (KICs).

EIT Community Hub in Türkiye (General Information): https://eit-ris.eu/turkiye/tr/

EIT Urban Mobility 2025 RAPTOR Call (Horizon Europe): https://ufukavrupa.org.tr/tr/haberler/eit-urban-mobility-2025-raptor-cagrisi-acildi-son-basvuru-12-subat-2025

EIT Food Hubs Call (Horizon Europe): https://ufukavrupa.org.tr/tr/haberler/eit-food-merkezleri-cagrisi

Note: EIT KICs' calls are generally announced through their specific websites or through national agencies. While direct open call links for EIT Digital and EIT InnoEnergy may not be available, the EIT Community Hub Türkiye page provides general information and contact details.

Capacity Enhancement for Development and Implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies in Türkiye's Regions (CEDIS3)