Horizon Europe CL2 TRANSFO-03: tackling child poverty and access to early development
Verified by the editorial team 29 September 2026
Updated Clarified the EU-focused scope, added topic budget, research areas, 17:00 deadline time and proposal count; call is closed.
Summary
EUR 3-4 million per consortium project (topic budget EUR 12 million, 3 projects expected) for research on the cost of child poverty and disadvantaged children's access to quality early childhood education and care. The topic focuses on the EU context and policy advice. The call closed on 23 September 2026.
About the call
A Horizon Europe Cluster 2 research and innovation topic on the cost of child poverty and the returns from disadvantaged children's participation in quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). Past studies were mostly conducted outside the EU or are outdated, so the topic aims to produce up-to-date, EU-specific evidence.
Projects may define disadvantaged children beyond monetary criteria, estimate short and long-term economic, social and educational costs and returns, investigate barriers to ECEC access, compare the value for money of different policies and develop operational advice. Qualitative and quantitative methods, including experiments, are welcome, and children and parents with lived experience may be involved.
It is a Research and Innovation Action funded as a lump sum. Submission ran from 12 May to 23 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time; the portal reports 39 proposals.
Who can apply
- A consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU or associated countries, at least one in the EU
- Ukrainian NGOs, charities, universities and institutions (Ukraine is associated to Horizon Europe)
- Research centres, public bodies and other organisations within the consortium
What the funds are for
- Estimating the cost of child poverty in the EU
- Analysis of returns from quality ECEC
- Research on barriers to ECEC for disadvantaged children
- Comparing the value for money of social policies
- Operational advice for policymakers
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
How to apply
- 1Create an EU Login and register the organisation (get a PIC)
- 2Join a consortium with partners from EU and associated countries
- 3Prepare Part A, Part B and the detailed lump sum budget table for topic TRANSFO-03
- 4Submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal by 23.09.2026, 17:00 Brussels time
Questions and answers
- Could a Ukrainian NGO apply to TRANSFO-03 on its own?
- A consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU or associated countries is required, at least one in the EU. Ukrainian NGOs can be part of it, as Ukraine is associated to Horizon Europe.
- Can children and parents be involved in TRANSFO-03 research?
- Yes. Qualitative and quantitative methods, including experiments, are welcome, and children and parents with lived experience may be involved.
Change history
- Updated: Clarified the EU-focused scope, added topic budget, research areas, 17:00 deadline time and proposal count; call is closed.
Donor contacts
Website: rea.ec.europa.eu
