The online Brokerage Event for the European Research Area or ERA call 2027 is organised by NCP_WIDERA.NET, the network of National Contact Points for Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA). The event will focus on the ERA 2027 call topics specified in the Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme for 2026-2027 (version adopted on 29/9/2026 is available here). The indicative call opening is on 8 December 2026 and the indicative call closure is on 11 March 2027. The five call topics under the Destination “Reforming and enhancing the European research and innovation system” are:

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-01 Pillar I: Facilitating development of institutional open access policies through the retention of intellectual property rights 

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-02 Pillar II: Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-03 Pillar III: Science comes to town 2029

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-04 Pillar III: Promoting public engagement in R&I and scientific literacy

HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-05-ERA-05 Pillar IV: Upgrading the EU’s independent knowledge on China's Science, Technology and Innovation system

The Brokerage Event will provide an opportunity for participants to engage in matchmaking with potential ERA call 2027 participants and stakeholders through pre-arranged bilateral meetings. This aims to identify possible collaborations and streamline the establishment of Horizon Europe ERA project consortia. Participants can create profiles, including search terms based on the ERA call titles of 2027. Participation in this event is free of charge, and registration is mandatory. All information related to the brokerage event can be found on this webpage.

The European Commission Info Day for applicants about the ERA calls in the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-2027, Destination “Reforming and enhancing the European research and innovation system” was held online on 11 December 2025. More information can be found in this announcement.