European Calls

Photonics21 is the dedicated body helping define European call topics on photonics, which are published by the European Commission.
With the implementation of the European Chips Act, there are also funding opportunities in the realm of integrated photonics under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU).

European photonics calls under Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026/2027:

HORIZON-CL4-2027-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03: Advanced integrated photonic devices for extended features and ultra-low power consumption (RIA)

Opening date: 17 November 2026

Deadline: 18 March 2027

Indivcative budget: € 25 million

  • Advanced integrated photonic devices and circuits with enhanced functionality and performance enabling wider application across multiple sectors including digital, 
    automotive, industrial, health and security
  • Reinforced competitiveness of EU photonics actors by demonstrating advancements in representative system configurations and validating real-world applicability
  • Significantly improved performance of electro-optic systems in applications such as communication, computing, sensing, medical diagnostics, data processing, AI supporting 
    the introduction of photonic elements into such systems
  • Low power consumption sensors with increased performance in application domains 

R&I should enhance the functionality, efficiency, and integration of photonic devices and circuits with a focus extended system performance. Action should address at least two of 
the following aspects. 

  • Enhanced performance through improved spectral purity, wavelength coverage, output power and noise characteristics.
  • Increased modulation or detection speeds going beyond the capability of existing PIC material platforms, improved signal-processing capabilities, and integration of novel 
    materials such as thin-film LiNbO3, BTO, graphene, silicon carbide, phase change materials and TMDCs.
  • Miniaturised, high-complexity photonic circuits (e.g. multilayer photonics, chiplets, multiple integrated functional elements), scalable interconnects and electronics_photonics integration (co-packaged, heterogeneous, or monolithic) to improve performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
  •  Reduction of power consumption for example through improved electrical-to-optical conversion, lower optical losses, devices operable at higher temperatures to reduce 
    cooling needs, and low-power circuit actuation and control.

Proposals should consider system-level impact and demonstrate advancements in representative configurations relevant to one or more application domains.

For any further details you can download the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.

You can find all open Horizon Europe and EDF calls on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

European Calls under the Chips Joint Undertaking 2026:

Under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), there are various funding types:

  • Chips for Europe Initiative, supporting capacity building
  • R&I global call, (based on the ECS SRIA)
  • R&I focus topics

 

Chips for Europe Initiative

The Chips for Europe Initiative combines investments from the EU, Member States and the private sector to support capacity building, via e.g. pilot lines, design platforms and competence centres. This includes funding for integrated photonic technologies. See the Chips for Europe call page for further details.

 

R&I global call

Each year the three Industry Associations of the Chips JU update the ECS-SRIA (Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda). These form the basis of the annual global call(s), whereby all the topics covered in the SRIA are eligible for funding, including various photonics-related technologies.
See the ECS R&I Calls page and the current work programme for further details.

 

R&I focus topics

Certain technological areas have been chosen as focus topics. This currently includes:

HORIZON-JU-Chips-2026-FT2-IA: Call for Reinforcing Europe’s strength in photonics

Opening date: 07 July 2026

Deadline: 16 September 2026

Indicative budget: € 20 million EU + €20 million national funding

See page 32 of the current work programme.

 

Open Calls from the European Innovation Council:

EIC Accelerator: It focuses on scientific discoveries or technological breakthroughs, which need significant funding over a longer timeframe before returns can be generated. Such innovations often struggle to attract financing because the risks and time involved are generally too high. This funding enables the innovators to attract the full investment amounts that are needed to scale up in a shorter timeframe.

EIC Pathfinder: Interdisciplinary teams of researchers can apply for research and innovation grants that will support them to realise their breakthrough ideas and have a transformative positive effect on our economy and society.