Bando "FFABR UniMe Giovani Ricercatori 2025"
Deadline: October 3, 2025
The University of Messina has published the FFABR Young Researchers 2025 call for proposals to fund basic research activities by young researchers currently employed at the University of Messina.
Bando "Finanziamento Attività di Base della Ricerca di Ateneo (FFABR) UniMe Edizione 2025"
Deadline: January 28, 2026
The University of Messina has published the 2025 FFABR UniMe Edition call for proposals for funding the basic research activities of first-tier professors, second-tier professors, and researchers, including temporary ones, in service at the University.
National Bands – Italy
PRIN 2026 (Projects of Relevant National Interest) is an initiative aimed at supporting high-quality scientific research in Italy, promoting collaboration among universities, research institutions, and AFAM institutions.
The call is open to all research fields, organized into the three main domains of the European Research Council (ERC):
- Life Sciences (LS)
- Physical Sciences and Engineering (PE)
- Social Sciences and Humanities (SH)
The total budget amounts to approximately €259.9 million, distributed across the three sectors, with 15% specifically allocated to Principal Investigators under the age of 40 to support early-career researchers.
Proposals, submitted by a Principal Investigator, are evaluated through a three-stage process based on criteria of excellence, quality, and impact.
Deadlines:
17 April 2026 (3:00 PM) – 1 June 2026 (3:00 PM) – LINK TO APPLICATION
PRIN 2026 Hybrid is part of Italy’s public policies supporting basic research and promotes the development of highly innovative scientific projects characterized by strong interdisciplinary integration and the hybridization of scientific, technological, humanistic, social, and artistic knowledge.
Key features:
· 3-year duration
· Partnerships composed of 4 to 6 research units from different institutions
· Mandatory interdisciplinary approach involving the Social Sciences and Humanities (SH) and at least one additional ERC domain
The programme is structured around five strategic thematic areas:
· Quantum technologies
· High Performance Computing (HPC)
· Artificial Intelligence
· Cybersecurity
· Innovative technologies and pathways in healthcare
The total budget amounts to €56,640,000, with 15% reserved for Principal Investigators under the age of 40 (or eligible for extension), in order to support early-career researchers and generational renewal.
Deadlines: From 20 April 2026 (3:00 PM) to 4 June 2026 (3:00 PM) – LINK TO APPLICATION
MUR Programming
New Three-Year Research Plan 2026–2028 of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and includes tools scheduled for 2026. Upcoming publications:
MUR News | Three-Year Research Plan 26/28 - MUR
These are PRIN, PRIN Hybrid and Synergy Grant funds;
According to the MUR schedule, calls will be published by April 2026 (with rankings by September).
Attention: check the official publication of the call for proposals and deadlines texts on the MUR portal
Other calls in Life Science
Call “Young Researchers – Fondazione Cariplo 2026” (LINK)
Cariplo Foundation, a banking foundation that finances scientific and technological research. Call addressed to public or private non-profit entities carrying out scientific research activities. It aims to support PhDs in building their research identity through project funding. Open research projects, with priority given to proposals that strengthen the career independence of young researchers
Deadlines (first phase) - Area Life Science: april 13, 2026
ESA Call: Rural Transportation Networks (LINK)
The initiative calls on businesses and organisations to submit project proposals using satellite data and innovative solutions to address key mobility challenges in less connected areas, such as limited infrastructure, low population density and geographical obstacles.
Deadline: april 01, 2026
Call for proposal: Award in memory of Raul Gardini (LINK)
The initiative was born with the aim of supporting projects with a high scientific and cultural profile on the topics of environmental sustainability and the circular bioeconomy, strengthening the link between academic research, innovation, and entrepreneurial development.
Deadline: may 31, 2026
Programming SICILIAN REGION
Official links to monitor for upcoming publications;
Sicilian Region Call Portal
Calls and Notices Sicilian Region
ERDF PR Portal (the most important)
EuroInfoSicilia – calls and notices
Telethon Foundation
Telethon Foundation announces the opening of ROUND II of the Multiround 2025 – 2027 call. The Multiround call is aimed at funding basic and preclinical research projects focused on rare genetic diseases. Projects can be submitted to one of the following tracks:
• Track BASIC RESEARCH
Focused on identifying molecular and pathological mechanisms and/or identifying and validating targets/s.
• Track PRECLINICAL PROOF OF CONCEPT (PoC)
Focused on the identification and validation of therapeutic candidates, after validating the target and/or identifying a therapeutic strategy.
The Call is now open online and projects can be completed on the portal at this link.
The deadline for submitting projects is April 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
The text of the call, together with all the useful documentation, is given below.
International / European Calls - Open or ongoing calls
These calls are managed under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and we fund international mobility, advanced training and cooperation projects.
The MSCA COFUND 2026 call is now open, with a total allocation of €105.5 million for co-financing doctoral and postdoctoral programs dedicated to the training, mobility, and career development of researchers. Proposals can cover any scientific discipline or focus on specific areas, particularly when linked to smart specialization strategies at regional or national level.
Open Call: (published 12/16/2025).
Deadline: april 8, 2026, 5:00 PM (Brussels time).
MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 (LINK)
Open the call for researchers the call for the development of scientific and transferable skills, professional growth and employability. Stimulus to innovation and entrepreneurial mentality, greater international visibility and expansion of the scientific network and with the public. Promotion of innovative collaborations between sectors and disciplines, strengthening of international and interdisciplinary networks, and enhancing research and innovation capacities. Create international, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaborative networks.
Call open: december 16, 2025.
Deadline: april 16, 2026.
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 (LINK)
Call open to researchers of any nationality moving within Europe or arriving from outside, to carry out research projects in an EU Member State or country Associated with Horizon Europe, lasting 1-2 years. The fellowships may include short secondments to any country (except during the return phase of Global Fellowships) and internships of up to 6 months in European non-academic organizations at the end of the fellowship.
Call will open: april 9, 2026.
Deadline: september 9, 2026.
Call: HORIZON-CL6-2026-02 (LINK)
The funding is included in Horizon Europe's 2026-2027 Work Programme Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment call.
Deadline: april 14, 2026.
Call: HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-two-stage (LINK)
Activities related to this theme directly respond to the Soil Mission's goal of establishing 100 living laboratories and lighthouses to guide the transition to healthy soils by 2030. They support the specific objectives of the Soil Mission. Activities should also contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy and to achieving the ambitions and objectives of the European Green Deal and, more specifically, to those of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the EU Soil Strategy 2030 and the proposed directive on soil monitoring and resilience, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Communication on enhancing biotechnology and biofabrication in the EU as well as to the sustainable development goals.
Deadline: April 14, 2026 (1° stage) e 15 settembre 2026 stage) (2° stage)
Call: Innovative Health Initiative (LINK)
- The call is divided into five key topics, designed to address crucial challenges for the European healthcare system:
- Towards precision medicine: platform for transdiagnostic stratification of brain dysfunction
- Understanding how infections foster and induce non-communicable diseases
- AI-powered signal detection in pharmacovigilanceLeveraging Europe's expertise to accelerate cell therapy for type 1 diabetes
- Establishing ortho and cardiology ambulatory surgical centers in Europe
Deadline: april 29, 2026
Call: GATE5.0 – Green and Digital Transitions for a Sustainable European Agrifood Ecosystem (LINK)
The initiative is aimed at innovative startups active in the agri-food sector or in the development of digital technologies applied to agriculture and the food industry. The aim is to promote Agriculture 5.0 solutions, based on tools such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and advanced data analysis, to make European food systems more efficient, sustainable and competitive.
Deadline: april 30, 2026
EIT Health: Call 2026 Innovation Validation
The Innovation Validation call supports the development of innovative medical technologies, digital or based on artificial intelligence, that have reached Innovation Maturity Level (IML) 6 and are ready for clinical validation and subsequent market entry
BENEFICIARIES
Consortia composed of at least two organizations from different countries, representing at least two components of the Knowledge Triangle (industry, research, education). The project must be led by a commercial enterprise.
FORM OF AID
EIT Health will finance up to 50% of the total project budget, for a maximum amount of €850,000 per project
REGULATORY SOURCE
EIT Health
METHOD OF SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS
Applications can only be submitted through the link
https://apply.eithealth.eu/s_Login.jsp
deadline: may 6, 2026
For more information go to the link https://eithealth.eu/opportunity/innovation-validation/
Financing of crossborder cooperation projects
The European Union wants to strengthen collaboration between the regions and countries of the EU and non-EU territories. To this end, it has developed the Interreg or European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) project, which contributes to strengthening the economic and social cohesion of the territories. It provides for joint actions, exchanges of experience, and networking between national, regional, and local stakeholders.
In particular, Cross-Border Cooperation (Interreg A Italia–Malta) is configured to support cross-border development between Sicily, Malta and the smaller islands (Gozo and Comino) through project financing.
To this end, the Presidency of the Sicilian Region – Department of Programming, as Managing Authority of the INTERREG VI-A Italy–Malta Program, as part of the activities promoting Notice 2/2025 aimed at financing cross-border cooperation projects worth a total of 24 million euros – organizes two information days:
Palermo – November 11, 2025
Catania – November 13, 2025
in which they will be discussed
· The main aspects of Notice 2/2025;
· Thematic sheets and the methods for presenting project proposals;
· Expenditure eligibility rules, evaluation criteria, and cooperation opportunities between Italian and Maltese partners.
The day's work will continue with Thematic Discussion Tables dedicated to each area of intervention of the Programme. Through the Tables, it will be possible to propose and discuss themes, networking actions, and share emerging needs of the cooperation area, in order to ensure the preparation of concrete and solid project proposals under Notice 02/2025.
THEMATIC TABLES
Table 1 – Innovation, Research and Training
Target audience: Knowledge research and dissemination bodies, Universities (non-telematic), ITS, MPMI (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), public authorities (local, regional, national), business support organizations.
Table 2 – Risk Adaptation and Circular Economy
Target audience: Public authorities (local, regional, national), public agencies and institutions, universities and research centers, civil protection and emergency services, businesses (including MPMI), chambers of commerce, incubators and living labs, schools of all levels, environmental and consumer associations, civil society organizations, business support organizations.
Table 3 – Tourism, Culture and Inclusion
Target audience: Public bodies (local, regional, national), universities and research centers, cultural or environmental site management bodies, businesses (including MPMI), civil society associations and organizations, schools and institutes of all levels, business support organizations, and associations for disadvantaged individuals.
Table 4 – Governance and Institutional Cooperation
Target audience: General government, education and training organisations, civil society associations and organisations, enterprises (including MPMIs).
To participate in the event, you must register using the following online form and indicate the thematic table you intend to participate in:
https://forms.gle/fJE7nHt3EdBbsKGD8
Any contributions (themes, project ideas, territorial needs, partner research, etc.) can be sent to stc.italia-malta@regione.sicilia.it and will be discussed during the work of the thematic tables.
Public notices “targeted call” 2/2025 – Extension of the deadline for submitting project proposal