Accessing Global Science Assets: Winning Strategies for the 2026 Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures Call

Opportunity Snapshot (Direct from the Call)

The Horizon Europe: International Dimension of Research Infrastructures 2026 call, funded by the European Commission with a deadline of 16 June 2026, is a strategic capstone opportunity designed to integrate European Research Infrastructures (RIs) into the global scientific landscape. The program provides SMEs with a funded gateway to access world-class facilities—such as synchrotrons (ESRF), neutron sources (ILL), and molecular biology labs (EMBL)—for high-precision prototyping, materials testing, and data validation. It operates primarily through two funding streams: Transnational Access (TNA), which reimburses 100% of an SME's travel, accommodation, and consumable costs for using a facility; and Service Provision, where SMEs acting as technology providers sell specialized components or software to the infrastructures themselves. The 2026 call prioritizes international cooperation with facilities in the US, Japan, Australia, and other global regions to address challenges in health, climate, and advanced materials. For an SME, this means accessing multi-million euro instruments (e.g., electron microscopes or cleanrooms) without the capital expenditure, paying only for staff time. Proposals are typically shorter and more agile than standard Horizon Europe grants, often requiring only a 2-5 page "User Proposal" submitted directly to the facility. Success in this call positions SMEs at the center of global scientific collaboration, accelerating innovation cycles and providing objective, high-accuracy validation data that compounds value across earlier 2026 funding calls like M-ERA.NET or PRIMA.

Executive Summary: Why Research Infrastructures are a Strategic Opportunity

Research Infrastructures are the backbone of Europe’s scientific capacity, yet they are often misunderstood as places reserved for academics in white coats. For SMEs, this is a massive missed opportunity. The Horizon Europe "International Dimension" call enables small businesses to build global partnerships and access unique facilities worldwide to address major industrial challenges with zero beamtime costs.

The 2026 Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures Landscape

Horizon Europe continues to invest heavily in RIs as critical enablers of excellent industry innovation. The 2026 call identifies key focuses:

• Strategic Partnerships: Reciprocal access arrangements between EU and international facilities.
• Interoperability: Data sharing and service standards across borders.
• Global Challenges: Climate, biodiversity, health, and materials.
• Industry Opening: Mandating that ERICs (European Research Infrastructure Consortia) open their doors to Industry and SMEs.

Strategic Intent: How to Win Infrastructure Access

You must approach this call as a "Global Innovation Scaling Strategy" rather than just a research opportunity.

1. Identify the Right Facility: Visit the INFRAFRONTIER or MERIL portals. Search by technique (e.g., "X-ray diffraction," "neutron scattering") rather than just sector. Contact the "Industry Liaison Office" of the facility immediately.
2. Choose the Fastest Route (TNA): Transnational Access is the fastest route for most SMEs. You join an existing access programme and submit a short 2-5 page proposal. The facility then claims the reimbursement for your costs.
3. Build Cross-Domain Synergies: Explicitly link your access to other grant cycles. Data generated at a research infrastructure can support your patent application (EUIPO Fund) or validate a food safety sensor proposed to THRIVE.

Implementation Roadmap (Deadline: 16 June 2026)

• Preparation (Now – Early June): Identify partner RIs and secure Letters of Intent. Engage SMEs as technology or innovation partners.
• Intensive Drafting (Early–Mid June): Build a detailed technical work plan. Integrate SME roles and valorisation strategies.
• Submission (Final Week): Perform compliance checks and submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Common Pitfalls and Risk Management

SMEs often think they need a huge proposal—for TNA, you do not. A 2-page proposal is usually sufficient. Another major error is ignoring remote access; many facilities now offer virtual access where you send your sample and they send back the data, eliminating travel constraints. Finally, plan for the "Data Deluge"—synchrotrons produce terabytes of data; ensure you have a data management plan or partner with a university for analysis capacity.

Forward Outlook

Success in the International Research Infrastructures call positions participants at the center of global scientific collaboration. SMEs that engage deeply with international RIs will accelerate their innovation cycles and gain competitive advantages that compound across the entire 2026 landscape.