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Tag: Education

EU Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region – Fifth Edition

Written on . Posted in Upcoming Opportunities.

Category: Training / Professional development / EU enlargement
EU Programme: European Commission DG ENEST / College of Europe
Deadline: 15.11.2026

Eligible Western Balkan Partners: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia

Main Topics: EU affairs; enlargement; diplomacy; public administration; regional cooperation

Short description: 
A five-month, full-time residential programme at the College of Europe in Bruges for early-career diplomats and public officials from the enlargement region. The programme combines EU affairs and accession training with workshops, simulations, study visits, networking, a Natolin module and job shadowing in Brussels.

Why relevant for Western Balkans?
All six Western Balkan partners are eligible. The programme is directly relevant to diplomats and public officials working on EU affairs and accession, while strengthening regional cooperation and professional links with EU peers.

Horizon Europe – Excellence Hubs 2026

Written on . Posted in Upcoming Opportunities.

Category: Research & innovation ecosystem grant
EU Programme: Horizon Europe – Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence
Deadline: 04.03.2027

Eligible Western Balkan Partners: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia

Main Topics: Innovation ecosystems; research; regional development; academia-business-government-civil society cooperation

Short description: 
The Horizon Europe Excellence Hubs call supports regional innovation ecosystems in Widening partners by building stronger links between academia, businesses, governments and civil society. The 2026 call has an indicative budget of EUR 100 million and remains open until 4 March 2027.

Why relevant for Western Balkans?
A particularly useful long-deadline opportunity for Western Balkan research and innovation ecosystems. It gives institutions substantial preparation time and supports cross-sector partnerships rather than a narrow research topic.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks 2026

Written on . Posted in Upcoming Opportunities.

Category: Research & Innovation / Doctoral Training
EU Programme: European Commission / Horizon Europe – MSCA
Deadline: 24.11.2026

Eligible Western Balkan Partners: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia

Main Topics: Research; doctoral education; international cooperation; skills; innovation

Short description: Research; doctoral education; international cooperation; skills; innovation

Why relevant for Western Balkans?
The 2026 MSCA Doctoral Networks call supports international partnerships that develop innovative doctoral programmes and train doctoral candidates across all scientific fields. Consortia can bring together universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs, public-sector organisations and other socio-economic actors.

COST Open Call 2026 – Propose a New COST Action

Written on . Posted in Upcoming Opportunities.

Category: Research networking / Open Call
EU Programme: COST Association / Horizon Europe
Deadline: 28.10.2026

Eligible Western Balkan Partners: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia

Main Topic: Research; innovation; scientific networking; interdisciplinary cooperation

Short description: The 2026 COST Open Call invites researchers and innovators to propose new interdisciplinary COST Actions. COST Actions fund pan-European research networking rather than research itself, supporting meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions and other collaboration activities. Up to 80 new Actions are expected to be funded.

Why relevant for Western Balkans?
Particularly relevant for the region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are COST Full Members, while Kosovo participates as a Near Neighbour Country; COST specifically highlights all six Western Balkan research communities as beneficiaries.