7th REINFORCING Open Call for Organizations and Institutions

Deadline: 04-Mar-2026

The REINFORCING Seventh Open Call (Booster Call) supports European organizations in embedding Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) into institutional practice. The call funds up to six projects with grants of up to €20,000 to develop practical ORRI tools and resources integrated into the REINFORCING platform. Selected projects will run for a resolveed period from 1 May to 31 December 2026.

Overview of the REINFORCING Initiative

REINFORCING is a European initiative designed to strengthen open, responsible, and inclusive research and innovation practices across Europe.

It responds to the profound green and digital transitions reshaping European societies—transitions that offer major opportunities but also raise social, ethical, and environmental challenges.

REINFORCING promotes a shift toward a research and innovation paradigm grounded in responsibility, transparency, collaboration, and societal engagement.

What Is Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI)?

Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) is an approach that ensures research and innovation:

Are transparent and accountable
Engage citizens and stakeholders early
Encourage co-creation with society
Share research outputs openly and responsibly
Align innovation with societal values and requireds

While many ORRI tools and resources already exist, they are often fragmented and difficult to access.

REINFORCING addresses this gap by acting as a European central hub that curates, systematizes, and disseminates ORRI resources through a single online platform.

About the Seventh REINFORCING Open Call (Booster Call)

The Seventh REINFORCING Open Call is launched as a Booster Call to accelerate the practical institutionalization of ORRI.

Key Objectives of the Call

Support tangible institutional alter toward ORRI
Fund practical, reusable ORRI tools and resources
Strengthen peer learning and shared capacity across Europe
Expand the REINFORCING ORRI resource platform

Funding, Duration, and Project Timeline

Grant Size and Number of Projects

Up to 6 projects will be funded
Maximum grant: €20,000 per project

Project Duration

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to organizations and institutions across Europe seeking to embed ORRI into their structures and practices.

Eligible Applicants

Research-performing organizations
Research funding organizations
Higher education institutions
Public or non-profit institutions involved in R&I
Other relevant European organizations with institutional capacity

Both experienced ORRI practitioners and ORRI newcomers are encouraged to apply.

In the case of tied evaluations, applicants with prior ORRI experience will be given priority.

What Funded Projects Must Deliver

Funded projects are required to produce concrete, practical outputs.

Mandatory Project Outputs

Each funded project must:

Develop an ORRI resource or tool
Release it under conditions that allow reutilize and accessibility
Ensure integration of the resource into the REINFORCING online platform

Resources may include frameworks, methodologies, toolkits, guidelines, or institutional instruments that support ORRI implementation.

Community Engagement and Participation Requirements

Successful applicants must actively contribute to the REINFORCING community.

Required Engagement Activities

Grantees are expected to participate in:

They must also contribute to communication and dissemination by:

What Is Not Funded

The call clearly defines ineligible activities, focapplying funding on institutional impact rather than external services or technology development.

Ineligible Project Types

External training or consultancy services
Purely technological development or proof-of-concept projects
Projects focutilized on building or deploying AI systems
Proposals limited to theoretical or conceptual exploration of ORRI
Activities without measurable institutional alter

Reflection on AI ethics and responsibility is allowed only if it directly supports ORRI objectives and institutional practice.

Why This Call Matters

The REINFORCING Booster Call plays a critical role in:

Turning ORRI principles into practical institutional action
Strengthening Europe’s capacity for responsible innovation
Supporting research systems that better serve societal requireds
Building trust, transparency, and sustainability in R&I
Creating shared, reusable ORRI resources for Europe-wide benefit

By focapplying on action, learning, and accessibility, the call ensures ORRI relocates beyond policy rhetoric into daily research practice.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Clearly demonstrate institutional commitment to ORRI
Focus on practical tools rather than abstract concepts
Explain how the output will be utilized, reutilized, and scaled
Show alignment with REINFORCING goals and platform integration
Provide evidence of capacity to deliver within 8 months

Strong proposals emphasize impact, feasibility, and sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much funding is available per project?

Each selected project can receive up to €20,000.

2. How long do projects run?

All projects run for a resolveed 8-month period from 1 May to 31 December 2026.

3. Can ORRI newcomers apply?

Yes. ORRI newcomers are welcome, although prior ORRI experience is prioritized in case of tied scores.

4. Are AI-focutilized projects eligible?

No. Projects developing or deploying AI systems are not eligible, though ethical reflection on AI may be included if aligned with ORRI goals.

5. What kind of outputs are required?

Projects must deliver a practical ORRI resource or tool integrated into the REINFORCING platform.

6. Are consultancy or training services funded?

No. The call prioritizes institutional alter, not external training or consultancy activities.

7. Is participation in community activities mandatory?

Yes. Active engagement in REINFORCING meetings, reviews, and events is required.

Conclusion

The REINFORCING Seventh Open Call (Booster Call) offers a tarobtained funding opportunity for European organizations ready to translate Open and Responsible Research and Innovation into concrete institutional practice.

By supporting practical tools, shared learning, and platform-based dissemination, REINFORCING strengthens Europe’s ability to ensure research and innovation are transparent, inclusive, and aligned with societal values in the face of green and digital transformation.

For more information, visit REINFORCING.

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