Cascade Calls in Horizon Europe: How to Find Funding Opportunities Through EU Projects

In addition to the standard calls published by the European Commission, the EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe offers additional ways to access funding for research and innovation projects. One of these mechanisms is known as Cascade Calls, where already funded Horizon Europe projects or European partnerships launch their own calls for proposals.

These calls allow organisations to obtain EU funding for smaller projects, pilot activities, or demonstration actions, while gaining valuable experience in European research and innovation programmes.

What are Cascade Calls?

Cascade Calls are funding opportunities in which ongoing Horizon Europe projects distribute part of their EU budget to external organisations. Within the programme, this mechanism is formally known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP).

Project consortia publish their own Open Calls, allowing external organisations to submit project ideas. Successful applicants receive funding to support activities such as:

• testing pilot applications
• demonstrating innovative technologies
• conducting experiments or validation activities
• developing new applications within existing research and innovation projects

Who Can Benefit from Cascade Calls?

Cascade Calls are particularly relevant for organisations looking for smaller-scale EU funding opportunities. Typical applicants include:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Start-ups and innovative companies
• Research organisations and universities
• Public institutions and municipalities

Compared with standard Horizon Europe projects, Cascade-funded activities are usually smaller in scale and shorter in duration. Funding amounts often range between €50,000 and €200,000, with project durations typically lasting six to eighteen months.

What Funding Opportunities Do Cascade Calls Offer?

Cascade Calls provide organisations with access to EU funding under Horizon Europe without requiring participation in a large project consortium. This makes them particularly attractive for organisations seeking a first entry point into European research and innovation funding.

Many Cascade Calls support:

• pilot projects
• experimental development
• validation activities
• demonstration projects

They therefore play an important role in helping innovative organisations participate in the European research and innovation ecosystem.

How to Find Cascade Calls in the Funding & Tenders Portal

The Funding & Tenders Portal of the European Commission provides a central overview of current Cascade Calls under Horizon Europe.

To search specifically for these calls, follow these steps:

1. Open the Funding & Tenders Portal and navigate to the section Calls for Proposals – Horizon Europe.
2. Display the available filter options.
3. Select the filter “Calls for funding in cascade (issued by funded projects)”.
4. Optionally remove closed calls to display only currently open opportunities.

Because Cascade Calls are organised by individual Horizon Europe projects, application procedures, eligibility criteria, and funding amounts may vary.

Further Information

You can find current Cascade Calls and funding opportunities on the Funding & Tenders Portal of the European Commission.

The Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) supports organisations in Bavaria in identifying suitable EU funding opportunities within Horizon Europe and provides guidance during the preparation of project proposals.

Natalia García Mozo
Head of Unit SME Advisory Services
Phone: +49 89 9901888-171
Email: mozo@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org