Horizon Europe, the EU's ambitious framework program for research and innovation, is making a concerted effort to weave Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) into the fabric of its funding initiatives. The recently released Work Programme for 2026-2027 underscores a commitment to integrating SSH across all pillars, recognizing their crucial role in addressing complex societal challenges and fostering European competitiveness.
Embracing Interdisciplinarity
The overarching goal is to move beyond siloed research. Horizon Europe actively encourages proposals that foster consortia transcending disciplinary boundaries. This means bringing together scholars from SSH disciplines like sociology, economics, psychology, political science, history, cultural studies, law, and ethics with researchers from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The aim is to generate novel knowledge, support evidence-based policymaking, and develop multidisciplinary solutions to both societal and technological issues.
Cluster 2: A Hub for SSH Engagement
While SSH research is embedded across the entire program, Cluster 2, titled 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society,' stands out as a primary focal point. This cluster directly addresses themes central to the human experience, societal dynamics, and cultural heritage, offering a rich landscape for SSH researchers to contribute their expertise.
Beyond the Clusters: Diverse Funding Avenues
However, SSH relevance extends far beyond Cluster 2. The program highlights opportunities within other clusters, as well as within foundational areas like the European Research Council (ERC) grants and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). These latter programs often support more 'bottom-up' research initiatives, allowing individual researchers and smaller teams to pursue innovative SSH projects.
Navigating the Opportunities
To aid researchers in identifying these diverse funding streams, the European Commission provides a dedicated search engine on its online Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal. Specific topics with substantial SSH aspects are **'flagged'** as SSH-relevant, enabling quick searches. This document serves as a guide, compiling these flagged topics and identifying additional areas where SSH contributions are highly valuable, even if not explicitly flagged.
Key Takeaways for Researchers
Researchers are strongly advised to thoroughly explore the Work Programme themselves. Attention should be paid to the **'type of action'** and eligibility criteria for each specific call. Understanding the overall approach, context, and full text of each topic is paramount to crafting successful proposals.
The Power of SSH in Innovation
The integration of SSH is not merely an administrative inclusion; it's a strategic imperative. By incorporating insights from the humanities and social sciences, Horizon Europe aims to ensure that its research and innovation efforts are not only technologically advanced but also socially relevant, ethically sound, and culturally sensitive, ultimately driving more **holistic and impactful solutions** for Europe and the world.
Future Focus and Methodologies
The guide also introduces a useful **'main keywords'** reference section for each listed topic. This feature acts as a shorthand, indicating the specific type of social scientific or humanistic research know-how, methodology, or disciplinary framing technique required for successful project implementation. These keywords are adapted from established MSCA categories and European Commission monitoring reports, providing clarity on the interdisciplinary demands of proposed projects.
Source Insight: This report was curated based on original coverage from horizoneuropencpportal.eu.
