Horizon Europe 2026–2027: new EU funding opportunities for drug-related research

The European Commission has published the Horizon Europe Work Programmes for 2026-2027, confirming EUR 14 billion in EU investment to support research and innovation across Europe over the next two years. In line with the EUDA mandate (¹), we have reviewed the programmes and identified a set of upcoming Horizon Europe calls of relevance to drug-related research and innovation. These calls span multiple parts of the programme, including:

• Cluster 1: Health - addressing prevention, mental health, non-communicable diseases and health systems.
• Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society - including crime prevention and responses to the availability and use of synthetic drugs.
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) - supporting doctoral and postdoctoral training, skills development and research mobility.

Together, these funding opportunities are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders working on issues relating to drugs, public health, social responses, security and research capacity building.

International cooperation encouraged

The Horizon Europe Work Programmes 2026-2027 place a strong emphasis on international collaboration and participation is encouraged from associated and other third countries. All sections of the programmes actively encourage international collaboration, with a particular focus on initiatives involving Africa, the Mediterranean, Latin America and the Caribbean countries and increased collaboration with India and South-East Asian nations. While entities from some third countries may not be automatically eligible for EU funding, their participation may be supported through complementary national funding mechanisms. This approach reflects Horizon Europe's objective of addressing complex societal challenges through transnational and interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Upcoming events

To support applicants, the European Commission is organising a set of Cluster 1 and Cluster 3 events:

• Cluster 1 - Health Brokerage Event | 26-30 January 2026 (online)
  Organised by the Cluster 1 national contact points, this event focuses on consortium building and will offer opportunities for matchmaking, bilateral meetings and pitching sessions to support the preparation of strong proposals. Registration deadline: 21 January 2026.
• Cluster 1 - Health Info Day | 10 February 2026 (online)
  The Info Day will present the 2026 Health topics under the forthcoming Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, covering the six Cluster 1 destinations and providing an overview of funding opportunities and priorities.
• Cluster 3 - Civil Security for Society Info Day | date to be confirmed.