Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe

Q: How much funding can be received?

Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe Funds up to 10000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is September 29, 2025. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.

Q: Is the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe is a Partnering and Collaboration

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe?

Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe is funded by Mitacs

Q: Who is eligible for the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe program?

To be eligible for the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe program, you must: • For-profit small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada • SMEs' field must align with ongoing Horizon Europe calls or European research consortia • Designated traveller must be a full-time employee, founder, or owner of the SME

Q: Where is the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe available?

The Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe program is available across Canada.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe program.

Last Update: August 26, 2025

Canada

Supports Canadian researchers and SMEs in European R&D collaborations

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000

Timeline

Open Date : August 25, 2025
Closing date : September 29, 2025

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe grant, offered through the Mitacs International Mobility Award, provides up to $5,000 CAD per applicant (or $10,000 CAD for two participants) to fund travel for Canadian faculty and SMEs to build research consortia in Europe. The program supports activities such as round-trip travel, accommodation, consortium-building workshops, proposal development, and participation in key Horizon Europe events.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding of up to $5,000 CAD per applicant for travel to Europe to build Horizon Europe consortia.
Maximum total funding of $10,000 CAD for two participants per application.

Activities funded

Building and joining Horizon Europe research and innovation consortia.
Identifying and meeting potential European research and development partners.
Participating in consortium-building workshops and matchmaking events.
Developing collaborative proposals for Horizon Europe Pillar II calls.
Visiting institutions or research sites related to Horizon Europe initiatives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 9,500

Travel for AI SME to participate in Horizon Europe workshops

$ 8,800

Attendance of health-tech SME at consortium meetings in Paris

$ 7,800

Travel to Brussels for foodtech SME to engage in EU consortia

$ 9,900

Smart mobility startup meets EU partners at Vienna consortium event

$ 8,400

Biotech cooperative travels to Stockholm for Horizon Europe meetings

$ 9,600

Clean energy SME joins EU green hydrogen matchmaking in Oslo

Eligibility

The applicant must be a for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) incorporated in Canada.
The applicant's field of activity must align with ongoing Horizon Europe calls for proposals or corresponding European research consortia.
The designated participant from the SME must be a full-time employee, founder, or owner.
Applications must involve either one or two eligible travelers (faculty member(s) and/or SME representative).
Each application must identify a Horizon Europe Pillar II Cluster and specific Destination, and outline planned engagement activities that support consortia participation.

Who is eligible?

For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada

Who is not eligible

Canadian arms of large multinational companies.
Companies that are not for-profit small- or medium-sized enterprises incorporated in Canada.

Eligible expenses

Round-trip airfare to European Union host countries
Accommodation during engagement activities
Per diem expenses
Ground transportation
Participation fees for key events organized by Horizon Europe National Contact Points, the Trade Commissioner Service, and EU research institutions

Eligible geographic areas

Canadian organizations across all provinces and territories

Selection criteria

Excellence of the applicants.
Strength of existing ties to consortia.
Impact of proposed activities.
Budget justification.

How to apply

Identify eligibility and opportunities

Review the Horizon Europe Work Programmes
Identify a relevant Pillar II Cluster and specific Destination

Confirm partners and project activities

Find and confirm eligible partners or consortia
Outline planned engagement activities to support participation

Prepare application materials

Download the application form (Word document)
Gather all necessary information and documentation for the application

Submit the application

Complete the application form accurately
Access and complete the online Simple Survey link to submit the application

Await review and decision

Wait for Mitacs to review your submission
Decisions are expected approximately four weeks after the closing date

Additional information

The next set of Horizon Europe Pillar II project calls will be published in late April 2025, with final calls for 2026–2027 released by early 2026.
Application review decisions are expected approximately four weeks after the call closing date.
If demand exceeds available spots, only the most suitable applications will be selected based on program criteria.
Final or official copies of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027 are expected to be published by late December or early January.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Advancing Canada’s Engagement in Horizon Europe. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.