Success rates
How success rates are counted
Official rates divide funded proposals by eligible proposals, after excluding inadmissible or ineligible ones. Many good proposals pass all thresholds and still go unfunded.
Details and sources
- Horizon Europe 2021-2025: 57% of eligible proposals reached the minimum quality threshold, but about 70% of those above threshold were not financed.
- Funding gap 2021-2025: an extra EUR 118.5 billion would have been needed to fund all above-threshold proposals.
- Seal of Excellence: awarded where the call provides for it to proposals judged fundable but not funded for budget reasons (e.g. 4 European Universities proposals in 2026; 60 EIC Accelerator applicants in the October 2025 round).
- Two-stage calls: a realistic rate uses stage-1 submissions as denominator; stage-2 rates look higher because proposals are pre-selected.
- Programme-part averages hide large topic-level spread; individual topics can be far below or above the average.
Sources: Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the EU and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2025, COM(2026) 255 final, Table 1 (European Commission, 2026-05-28); 20 European Universities alliances selected for Erasmus+ funding (European Commission, European Education Area, 2026-07-09); 61 start-ups and SMEs secure EIC support in latest round of the EIC Accelerator (European Innovation Council, 2026-02-17); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15 General Annexes (sections D, F, G) (European Commission (copy hosted by Science|Business; file dated 18 May 2026), 2026-05-18)
Horizon Europe overall and by programme part (2021-2025)
Across 2021-2025 about one in seven eligible proposals was selected. Health, food and widening do better than average; EIC and civil security do worse.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| Horizon Europe total 2021-2025 | 148,884 | 21,329 | 14 % |
| ERC 2021-2025 | 41,431 | 5,781 | 14 % |
| MSCA 2021-2025 | 56,730 | 8,152 | 14 % |
| Research infrastructures 2021-2025 | 402 | 170 | 42 % |
| Cluster 1 Health 2021-2025 | 2,753 | 640 | 23 % |
| Cluster 2 Culture, creativity, inclusive society 2021-2025 | 2,460 | 339 | 14 % |
| Cluster 3 Civil security 2021-2025 | 1,533 | 183 | 12 % |
| Cluster 4 Digital, industry, space 2021-2025 | 6,947 | 1,287 | 19 % |
| Cluster 5 Climate, energy, mobility 2021-2025 | 7,093 | 1,264 | 18 % |
| Cluster 6 Food, bioeconomy, environment 2021-2025 | 4,114 | 845 | 21 % |
| EIC 2021-2025 | 20,340 | 1,417 | 7 % |
| European innovation ecosystems 2021-2025 | 1,502 | 275 | 18 % |
| Widening participation and spreading excellence 2021-2025 | 3,165 | 831 | 26 % |
| Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system 2021-2025 | 374 | 109 | 29 % |
| Horizon Europe total 2021-2024 (previous report) | 88,803 | 14,592 | 16.4 % |
Details and sources
- Overall 2021-2025: 148,884 eligible proposals, 21,329 selected, success rate 14% (Commission, data frozen 5 January 2026).
- Previous report: 88,803 eligible proposals 2021-2024, 14,592 retained, 16.4% (data frozen 6 January 2025).
- Horizon 2020 average for comparison: 11.9%.
- Average grant 2021-2025: EUR 2.7 million, about six participants per project.
Sources: Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the EU and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2025, COM(2026) 255 final, Table 1 (European Commission, 2026-05-28); Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the EU and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2024, COM(2025) 298 final (European Commission, 2025-06-06)
ERC per grant type (latest calls)
ERC success rates have fallen to roughly 9-11% as application numbers hit records.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| ERC Starting Grant 2026 | 4,807 | 421 | 8.8 % |
| ERC Consolidator Grant 2025 | 3,121 | 349 | 11.2 % |
| ERC Advanced Grant 2025 | 3,329 | 319 | 9.6 % |
| ERC Synergy Grant 2025 | 712 | 66 | 9.3 % |
Details and sources
- StG 2026: record 4,807 proposals (up from 3,928 in 2025), 421 selected, about 8.8%.
- CoG 2025: 3,121 proposals, 349 selected, about 11.2%.
- AdG 2025: 3,329 proposals, 319 selected, about 9.6%.
- SyG 2025: 712 proposals, 66 grants (about 9.3%). SyG 2026 received 957 proposals; results expected autumn 2026.
Sources: ERC Starting Grants 2026 - Statistics (European Research Council, 2026-09-03); ERC Consolidator Grants 2025 - Statistics (European Research Council, 2025-12-09); ERC Advanced Grants 2025 - Statistics (European Research Council, 2026-06-23); ERC Synergy Grants to fund 66 teams tackling major scientific challenges (European Research Council, 2025-11-06); Résultats de l'appel ERC Advanced Grants 2025 (Portail Horizon Europe (French Ministry of Higher Education and Research), 2026-06-24)
MSCA Doctoral Networks, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Staff Exchanges
Fellowships and doctoral networks are now below 10%; staff exchanges remain around one in five.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 (eligible) | 16,836 | 1,610 | 9.6 % |
| MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 | 1,616 | 141 | 8.7 % |
| MSCA Staff Exchanges 2025 (eligible) | 360 | 81 | 22.5 % |
Details and sources
- PF 2025: 17,066 applications, 16,836 eligible, 1,610 selected (9.6%), 261 on reserve list.
- DN 2025: 1,616 proposals, 141 selected (8 Joint Doctorates, 5 Industrial Doctorates).
- SE 2025: 363 proposals, 360 eligible, 81 selected (22.5%).
Sources: MSCA awards EUR 404.3 million to postdoctoral researchers (European Commission, MSCA, 2026-02-09); Doctoral Networks 2025: Results published (NKS MSC (German National Contact Point MSCA), 2026-03-26); MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025: success rates fall as competition intensifies (Accelopment (consultancy, secondary), 2026-03); MSCA awards EUR 97.7 million for international research cooperation projects (European Commission, MSCA, 2026-02-03)
EIC Pathfinder and Accelerator
EIC instruments are the most competitive part of Horizon Europe; Pathfinder Open 2025 funded about 2 in 100 proposals.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| EIC Pathfinder Open 2025 | 2,087 | 44 | 2.1 % |
| EIC Accelerator cut-off October 2025 (full applications) | 923 | 61 | 6.6 % |
Details and sources
- Pathfinder Open 2025: 2,087 proposals (deadline 21 May 2025), 44 projects selected, over EUR 140 million.
- Accelerator cut-off 1 October 2025: 923 full applications, 121 reached interview, 61 selected (EUR 467 million); 60 further applicants received a Seal of Excellence.
- Accelerator rate counts only full applications; short step-1 proposals are not included.
Sources: EIC Pathfinder Open 2025 call draws record interest from the research community (European Innovation Council, 2025-05-23); Over EUR 140 million awarded under EIC Pathfinder 2025 (European Innovation Council, 2025-10-23); Strong interest in EIC Accelerator funding: 923 companies applying for final 2025 cut-off (European Innovation Council, 2025-10-17); 61 start-ups and SMEs secure EIC support in latest round of the EIC Accelerator (European Innovation Council, 2026-02-17); Spain first in companies funded, EIC Accelerator October 2025 cut-off (CDTI (Spanish NCP, secondary), 2026-02)
Widening
Partly confirmed Widening actions (Teaming, Twinning, ERA Chairs and others) have the highest success rate among large Horizon Europe parts, but eligibility is limited to institutions in widening countries.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| Widening participation and spreading excellence 2021-2025 | 3,165 | 831 | 26 % |
Details and sources
- Widening participation and spreading excellence 2021-2025: 3,165 eligible, 831 selected, 26%.
- Per-instrument rates (Teaming, Twinning, ERA Chairs, Excellence Hubs) were not found in a primary source.
Sources: Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the EU and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2025, COM(2026) 255 final, Table 1 (European Commission, 2026-05-28)
Erasmus+ (higher education)
Partly confirmed Centralised higher-education actions range from about 7% (CBHE capacity strand) to about 19% (Erasmus Mundus). European Universities is a special case with a closed field of existing alliances.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| Erasmus+ KA2 higher education, NA-managed, calls 2024 (official rate) | – | – | 20 % |
| Erasmus+ KA2 higher education, EACEA-managed, calls 2024 (official rate) | – | – | 21 % |
| CBHE 2025 (all strands) | 1,505 | 173 | 11.5 % |
| CBHE 2025 Strand 2 | 1,200 | 81 | 6.8 % |
| CBHE 2026 Neighbourhood East (Region 2) | 232 | 24 | 10.3 % |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters 2025 | 195 | 37 | 19 % |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters 2026 | 199 | 37 | 18.6 % |
| European Universities 2026 | 37 | 20 | 54.1 % |
Details and sources
- KA2 success rates under calls 2024 (all KA2, higher education): 20% via National Agencies, 21% via EACEA.
- Projects contracted under call 2024: 305 HE Cooperation Partnerships, 153 CBHE, 31 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, 16 European Universities.
- CBHE 2025: 1,505 proposals (Strand 1: 215, Strand 2: 1,200, Strand 3: 90); 173 proposed for funding. Strand 2: 50 ineligible, 724 above threshold, 81 funded, 25 reserve.
- CBHE 2026: 180 projects proposed for funding, budget EUR 113 million; total submissions not published in one place (regional topics). Example Neighbourhood East: 232 proposals, 141 above threshold, 24 funded.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters 2025: 195 proposals, 148 above threshold, 37 funded (cut-off 87). 2026: 199 proposals, 165 above threshold, 37 funded (cut-off 86).
- European Universities 2026: 37 proposals, 24 above threshold, 20 funded; 2 reserve, 4 Seals of Excellence; budget EUR 145.6 million.
Sources: Erasmus+ Annual Report 2024 - Statistical Annex ('Projects contracted under Call 2024'; 'Erasmus+ Success Rates under calls 2024', p. 77) (European Commission, DG EAC (copy hosted by Erasmus+ NA Netherlands), 2025); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, version 1 (award criteria; Part C indicative timeline and payments) (European Commission, 2025-11-12); Topic ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2 - call updates (submissions per strand; Strand 2 evaluation results) (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2025-07-15); 173 new projects proposed for funding to support international cooperation in higher education (European Commission, Erasmus+, 2025-07-24); Toename Nederlandse instellingen binnen Capacity Building Higher Education (Erasmus+ National Agency Netherlands (secondary), 2025); Latest selection of projects announced to support international cooperation in higher education (European Commission, Erasmus+, 2026-07-24); Topic ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE-REGION-2 (Neighbourhood East) - flash evaluation results (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-07); Topic ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PEX-EMJM-MOB - evaluation results (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2025-07-18); Topic ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PEX-EMJM-MOB - evaluation results (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-07); Topic ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EUR-UNIV - call update: flash evaluation results (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-07); 20 European Universities alliances selected for Erasmus+ funding (European Commission, European Education Area, 2026-07-09)
Creative Europe Culture: European cooperation projects
Partly confirmed Creative Europe cooperation projects are among the most competitive EU calls: in 2025 fewer than one in ten applications was funded, although about 57% passed the quality threshold.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| Creative Europe cooperation 2025, all scales | 1,663 | 122 | 7.3 % |
| Creative Europe cooperation 2025, small scale | 1,029 | 88 | 8.6 % |
| Creative Europe cooperation 2025, medium scale | 554 | 24 | 4.3 % |
| Creative Europe cooperation 2025, large scale | 80 | 10 | 12.5 % |
| Creative Europe cooperation 2024, small scale | 609 | 117 | 19.2 % |
| Creative Europe cooperation 2024, medium scale | 354 | 42 | 11.9 % |
Details and sources
- 2025 call (CREA-CULT-2025-COOP): small scale 1,029 submitted, 578 above threshold, 88 funded, cut-off 86.
- Medium scale: 554 submitted, 316 above threshold, 24 funded, cut-off 91.
- Large scale: 80 submitted, 46 above threshold, 10 funded, cut-off 85.
- 2024 call for comparison: small 609 submitted, 117 proposed; medium 354 submitted, 42 proposed (cut-offs 83 and 90).
Sources: Topic CREA-CULT-2025-COOP-1 - evaluation results for COOP-1, COOP-2, COOP-3 (EACEA, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2025-10); Questions unanswered: follow-up on the 2025 Creative Europe Cooperation Call (Culture Action Europe (network, secondary), 2025-12-10); 159 Creative Europe cooperation projects proposed for EU funding (2024 call) (Creative Europe Desk Slovenia (secondary), 2024-07-26)
COST Actions
COST networking grants had a record number of proposals in 2025 and a 7% success rate.
| Call | Proposals | Funded | Success rate |
|---|
| COST Open Call OC-2025-1 | 1,090 | 80 | 7 % |
Details and sources
- Open Call OC-2025-1: 1,090 proposals submitted (record, +29% vs OC-2024-1); 80 new Actions approved on 19 May 2026; official success rate 7%.
- Previous round: 70 new Actions approved in May 2025 (from OC-2024-1).
Sources: COST Annual Report 2025 (OC-2025-1: 1,090 proposals submitted; 70 Actions approved May 2025 from OC-2024-1) (COST Association, 2026-03); 80 new COST Actions approved (COST Association, 2026-05-21); COST Open Call attracts record submissions (oc-2025-1 initial analysis) (COST Association, 2025-10-30)