Call Identifier & Title

The call identifier is a unique ID that works like a roadmap. It starts with a broad label (like Horizon or Digital), then narrows down to the cluster or domain, pinpointing where it fits in the overall program structure. The year indicates the submission deadline, and the final part (numbers and terms) identifies the exact sub-area and distinguishes multiple calls within that niche. The title is a short descriptive phrase that summarizes the specific call topic.

Call status

"Open" means the call is live, with consortia hard at work crafting proposals before the deadline hits. "Closed" signals the submission window is shut, no more proposals allowed, whether they’re being evaluated or winners have already been chosen. "Forthcoming" means a call is on the horizon, often a year out, with draft details available but still subject to tweaks (though major changes are rare) until the call open deadline. Together, these statuses tell you exactly where you stand in the funding journey.

Submission types

There are 4 different submission types

• Single stage: Submit the full proposal in one go. Evaluation happens once, after the deadline. Most RIA, IA, and CSA calls use this format.
• Two stage: Stage 1 requires a short proposal. If you pass, you're invited to submit a full proposal in Stage 2. Used for highly competitive or complex topics.
• Continuous submission: No fixed deadline. Submit proposals at any time, they're evaluated in batches at regular cut-offs. Often used by EIC instruments.
• Multiple cut-off dates: Similar to the previous. One call, several deadlines. Submit before a specific cut-off, and your proposal is evaluated with that batch.

Deadlines

The submission deadline is when a topic or proposal must be submitted. The date open is when the topic description can no longer change and proposals are accepted. Submission deadline 2 refers to the second-stage deadline.

Action types

Main Action Types:

• RIA: Research and Innovation Action, creating new knowledge or technology.
• IA: Innovation Action, producing plans, designs, or prototypes.
• CSA: Coordination and Support Action, focused on networking, coordination, or policy.

For public/innovative procurement:

• PCP: Pre-Commercial Procurement, public buyers commission R&D for not-yet-market solutions.
• PPI: Public Procurement of Innovative solutions, public buyers purchase ready innovative products or services.

MSCA for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, focused on researchers. Cofund means co-funding of regional, national, or international programs (basically, MSCA chips in funding alongside other sources). DN stands for Doctoral Networks, supporting PhD training. PF means Postdoctoral Fellowships, funding individual postdocs. TMA stands for Training and Mobility Actions, supporting things like staff exchanges.

There are two types of Prizes: PRIZE Induc (Inducement prize) rewards solving a specific challenge, and PRIZE Recog (Recognition prize) celebrates past achievements.

For the EIC (European Innovation Council) we have: EIC Grant, standard grants from the European Innovation Council, and EIC Blended that combine grant funding with equity investment.

Common suffixes and prefixes: JU (Joint Undertaking), is for calls funded by a public-private partnership or similar joint initiative. And LS (Lump Sum) means funding given as a fixed amount rather than reimbursed costs.