Revised Horizon Europe 2026–2027 Standard Application Forms – what has changed and why it matters
14th January 2026 at 11:54 am
Recently, the European Commission (EC) has introduced revised Standard Application Forms for Horizon Europe proposals under the 2026–2027 Work Programmes (with date 15 December 2025). While the overall evaluation structure remains unchanged, the updated template tightens page limits, reduces prescriptive guidance and streamlines cost-related tables. Below, we outline the changes that affect Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) call topics under the 2026 and 2027 Work Programmes.
1. Tighter page limits and removal of mandatory tags
Page limits have been reduced across action types, reinforcing the need for concise, well-structured proposals. The revised application templates introduce lower maximum page limits as follows:
- For Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), proposals are now limited to 40 pages, or 45 pages for topics using lump sum funding (instead of formerly 45 and 50 pages).
- For Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), the limit is set at 25 pages, increasing to 28 pages where lump sum funding applies (instead of formerly 30 and 33 pages).
This reduction reinforces the EC’s expectation that proposals should be concise and evaluator-friendly. Long descriptive sections, generic background text and repeated explanations are more likely than ever to work against applicants. Additionally, the formerly mandatory tags are no longer needed.
2. A leaner approach to impact pathways in Section 2.1
One of the most notable changes concerns Section 2.1, “Project’s pathways towards impact”. Several detailed guidelines have been removed, including the explicit requirement to describe the scale and significance of expected impacts.
The EC has justified this change by acknowledging that, while the requirement was initially introduced to support applicants, it often proved difficult to quantify in a meaningful and comparable way. In practice, this led to complex narratives that did not necessarily improve evaluators’ understanding of the project’s real contribution.
| Section 2 (Impact) aspects | 2025 | 2026 (version 10.0, 15 December 2025) |
| 2.1 Project’s pathways towards impact | Specific guidance on pathways to impact Scale and significance mandatory | Simplified guidance (no mentioning of scientific/economic/societal impact) Removal of Scale and significance |
| 2.3 Summary | Mandatory | Optional |
| Suggested page limits | Section 2.1 (pathways): 4 pages Section 2.2 (measures to maximise impact): 5 pages including section 2.3 | Section 2.1 (pathways): 3 pages Section 2.2 (measures to maximise impact): 3 pages excluding section 2.3 |
3. Streamlined work plan and resource reporting in Section 3.1
Section 3.1, “Work plan and resources”, has also been simplified. The revised template removes tables on other cost categories and in-kind contributions and simplifies the table on purchase costs, which must only be justified if the equipment depreciation costs exceed 15% of personnel costs. According to the EC, evaluators primarily need a clear overview of major equipment purchases to assess the credibility of the implementation. More granular financial details can be requested later for proposals retained for funding, if needed.
| Section 3.1 (Work plan and resources) aspects | 2025 | 2026 (version 10.0, 15 December 2025) |
| Table 3.1h | An explanation is now required if the total purchase costs exceed 15% of personnel costs. | An explanation is now required only if equipment costs exceed 15% of personnel costs. |
| Tables 3.1i and 3.1j (‘other cost categories’ and ‘in kind-contributions’) | Mandatory | Removed |
| Suggested page limits | 3.1 Work plan and resources: 14 pages (19 pages for topics using lump sum funding) – including tables | 3.1 Work plan and resources: 12 pages (17 pages for topics using lump sum funding) – including tables |
A final reminder on template selection
Despite these general changes, applicants should always use the proposal template(s) linked to a specific call topic available in the Funding and Tenders submission system on the EU Portal. So, it’s important to register the proposal and check the template(s) within the EU Portal. This remains the only authoritative reference. Using an outdated or incorrect template can lead to formal issues at the submission stage.
Ready to start your proposal writing in 2026? We are here to help!
If you are preparing a proposal for a 2026 or 2027 call and want to ensure your application is fully aligned with the new requirements, we are ready to support you from strategy to submission. At accelopment, we work closely with consortia across all major Horizon Europe clusters to translate Work Programme texts into competitive, evaluator-ready proposals. Our team of experts supports researchers, companies and institutions throughout the entire funding process – from strategic grant planning, to proposal writing, project management and communication and dissemination. With deep knowledge of Pillar II funding opportunities, we help our partners increase their chances of success in securing European research grants across the different clusters. Having collaborated with over 1,000 institutions in Europe and beyond, we are currently involved in over 30 projects. Our portfolio includes CL1 Health projects (such as EDiHTA, EU PAL-COPD, EXPOSIM and the Cancer Mission project GLIOMATCH), the CL3 Security project CapCell, several CL5 Energy and Mobility projects (such as PEPPERONI, ROADVIEW and SOLARX) and CL6 Food and Bioeconomy Projects, including DECIDE and PHOTONFOOD. With 2026 just around the corner, we look forward to supporting researchers in upcoming calls. Ready to embark on this adventure? Get in touch with our team to discuss how to position your project idea and write a competitive proposal.
Dr. Eva Avilla Royo
Research & Innovation Project Manager
Dr. Johannes Ripperger
Research & Innovation Manager
Jacqueline Strehler
Research & Innovation Project Manager
Andreia Cruz
Research & Innovation Project Manager