The EU provides funding for a range of projects and programmes. It applies strict rules to ensure tight control over how funds are used and that the money is spent in a transparent, accountable manner.

EU funding comes in many different forms:

• grants – partly funded by the EU and partly from other sources – that usually follow public announcements known as calls for proposals
• subsidies managed by national and regional authorities
• loans, guarantees and equity as forms of financial assistance to support EU policies and programmes
• prizes to winners of Horizon 2020 contests.

Direct

Funding managed by the EU usually in the form of grants for specific projects related to EU policies. You can apply for this type of funding by answering calls for proposals.

Application process for direct funding

See who’s received direct EU funding in your country

Shared management

A system of funding managed in partnership with national and regional authorities, accounting for around 80% of the EU budget. 5 main fundsare used for this, under the umbrella of the European structural & investment funds:

• European Regional Development Fund  – regional and urban development
• European Social Fund  – social inclusion and good governance
• Cohesion Fund  – economic convergence by less developed regions
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 
• European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 

Indirect

Funding managed by national and regional authorities, not the EU. Also known as subsidies, you can apply for this type of funding at national level.

See all open funding opportunities