EU Programme · 2021–2027

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Invests in infrastructure, innovation, and economic development at regional level. Managed nationally but funded by the EU. Targets less-developed regions.

Budget: €226 billion (combined Cohesion)Period: 2021–2027
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Part of our complete EU funding guide.

Who European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is for

Typical eligible applicant profiles. Each guide links through to open calls and eligibility notes.

How to apply

The standard EU funding process. Each European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) call publishes its own detailed requirements.

  1. 1

    Find open calls that match your profile

    Search by country, sector, applicant type, and deadline. EU funding is published across dozens of portals, so consolidation saves significant time.

  2. 2

    Check eligibility before investing effort

    Review applicant mode (single vs consortium), entity type requirements, geographic restrictions, and co-financing obligations. Disqualify early to protect team bandwidth.

  3. 3

    Build your consortium if required

    Many Horizon Europe calls require partners from multiple EU countries. Identify complementary organisations early — consortium formation often takes longer than proposal writing.

  4. 4

    Write and submit your proposal

    Follow the call documentation precisely. Most EU proposals require a work plan, budget breakdown, impact statement, and consortium description. Submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

  5. 5

    Evaluation and grant agreement

    Proposals are evaluated by independent experts against published criteria. Successful applicants negotiate a grant agreement that defines deliverables, reporting, and payment schedule.

Common questions

How much EU funding is available?

The EU allocates hundreds of billions of euros across its 2021–2027 budget cycle. Horizon Europe alone provides €95.5 billion for research and innovation. National agencies distribute additional co-funding, and structural funds like ERDF support regional development.

Can startups apply for EU funding without a consortium?

Yes. Several programmes accept single-applicant submissions, including the EIC Accelerator, many national agency calls, and some Digital Europe deployment actions. Consortium requirements vary by call, so check each opportunity individually.

Do I need to be based in the EU to apply?

Most EU funding requires at least one partner established in an EU or EEA member state. Some programmes also allow participation from associated countries (like the UK and Switzerland under specific agreements). National co-funding typically requires a local entity.

What is the typical success rate for EU grants?

Success rates vary significantly by programme. Horizon Europe collaborative projects typically see 10–15% success rates. EIC Accelerator is more competitive at around 5–8%. National programmes often have higher acceptance rates but smaller budgets.

How long does the EU funding process take?

From call publication to grant agreement, expect 6–12 months. Proposal preparation takes 4–8 weeks for most calls. Evaluation takes 3–5 months. Grant agreement negotiation adds another 1–3 months before funding arrives.

What is co-financing and how does it work?

Most EU grants do not cover 100% of project costs. Co-financing means your organisation contributes a percentage (typically 25–50%) through own funds, in-kind contributions, or other revenue. The exact rate depends on the programme and your entity type.

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