The European Union has launched the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, with a committed focus on deepening EU-Africa cooperation in Research and Innovation (R&I). 

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. Following the Multiannual Financial Framework Midterm Review (MTR) decision, the indicative funding amount for Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2027 is EUR 93.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.

The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 is a key step towards achieving the R&I priorities outlined in the Horizon Europe strategic plan for 2025-2027. Its actions are expected to substantially contribute to the three overarching, interlinked key strategic orientations: the green transition, the digital transition and a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.

This work programme includes the publication of Africa Initiative III, which allocates €500.5 million—more than double that of previous Africa Initiatives, across 24 calls for proposals (21 open calls, and 3 forthcoming), aimed at advancing shared priorities between Africa and the EU.

Building on the momentum of Africa Initiatives I & II, this third wave of support reflects the strong political commitment made under the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and contributes to the AU’s newly declared Decade of Education Transformation, Youth Skills Development and Innovation (2025–2034).

Africa Initiative III is a component of Horizon Europe’s international cooperation dimension, aiming to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into action around shared global challenges in Africa and Europe. The calls are now open and fall under the following areas:

• Public Health (€50 million)
• Green Transition (€241 million)
• Innovation & Technology (€186.5 million)
• Capacities for Science (€3.5 million)
• Cross-cutting issues (€19.5 million)

Africa III initiative includes actions under the following clusters:

1. Health
2. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
3. Civil Security for Society
4. Digital, Industry and Space
5. Climate, Energy and Mobility
6. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Eligibility:

• Important Note: AUC is eligible to apply in Africa III initiative as an eligible entity established in an associated country in Horizon Europe, as per the EU announcement in April 2025, shared by OSP earlier.
• The consortium eligibility criteria vary per call. Accordingly, please contact OSP in case of interest in a specific call.

How to Apply:

Detailed guidelines can be the accessed at Horizon Europe Africa initiative calls tenders and funders portal , which showcases all 24 open calls – under ‘Africa’

Deadlines

Please note that submission deadlines are in September 2025, with two calls requiring a second-stage submission in February 2026.

Contact

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities or want to discuss further details, please contact osp@aucegypt.edu. Please contact OSP as early as possible with the call you are interested in to advise you on the related internal deadline.