What is Co-funded Partnerships?
What are Co-funded Partnerships?
Co-funded Partnerships represent a specific European partnership model primarily utilized within the EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe. The main objective of this instrument is to bring together the efforts of the European Commission and national or regional funding bodies (such as ministries or technology agencies) to support strategic research and innovation priorities.
How the funding mechanism works
The core principle of co-funded partnerships is the sharing of costs, risks, and administrative capacities between the EU level and member states. This process functions at two primary levels:
- Institutional level: The European Commission provides a financial contribution (co-funding, usually covering 30% to 50% of the costs) to a consortium of national funding bodies. Participating countries cover the remaining budget using their national or regional resources.
- Project level: Participating national agencies (in the Czech Republic, for example, TA CR or MEYS) then launch Joint Transnational Calls. International project consortia submit their proposals under these calls.
Significance for grant applicants
For end beneficiaries—most frequently research organizations, universities, and innovative companies—Co-funded Partnerships provide an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge international research. A key advantage is that although the project is international, partners in the consortium are typically funded and administered by their own national agency.
However, applicants must be cautious when preparing their applications. They must comply not only with the common international criteria set out in the call, but also with the specific national conditions of their respective funding body (such as rules regarding eligible costs or maximum funding intensity). Project evaluations take place in a highly competitive international environment, meaning grant approval can never be guaranteed in advance.
