GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people. Τhe ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas.

80%

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) for both topics must:

•  be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
  • non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the ESF+ or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature (list of participating countries)

Lead applicants, co-applicants and affiliated entities must fall in one of the following categories:

• Public authorities;
•  International organisations (with registred headquartes both inside and outside of eligible countries of the Call);
• Non-profit organisations (private or public);
• Research centres/institutes;
• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs);
• Civil Society Organisations (CSOs),
• Social partner organisations at European, national or regional level (in application of Article 197 2. (c) of the Financial Regulation), social partner organisations without legal personality are also eligible provided that the conditions of the Financial Regulation related thereto are met)

Consortium composition

Only consortia are eligible. Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least applicants (lead applicant and co-applicants; not affiliated entities) established and registered in at least three different EU Member States, according to art. 27 of the ESF+ Regulation. Lead applicants and co-applicants must be established in EU Member States and EEA countries, according to ESF+ Regulation. Co-applicants can also be established in associated CandidateCountries and Potential Candidates, in accordance with ESF+ Regulation. Applicants may participate with affiliated entities (i.e. entities linked to a beneficiary which participate in the action with similar rights and obligations as the beneficiaries, but do not sign the grant and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves). They will get a part of the grant money and must therefore comply with all the call conditions and be validated (just like beneficiaries); but they do not count towards the minimum eligibility criteria for consortium composition (if any). Affiliated entities must satisfy the eligibility criteria as all applicants.Other entities may participate in other consortium roles, such as associated partners, subcontractors, third parties giving in-kind contributions. Associated partners must be established in one of the eligible countries indicated in the call.