Horizon Europe Cluster Projects Grant Support for UK Companies
Access collaborative, challenge-led EU funding with expert guidance from FI Group.
What Are Horizon Europe Cluster Projects Grants?
Horizon Europe Clusters are multi-disciplinary, mission-driven funding programmes designed to address the European Union’s most pressing societal and industrial challenges. Cluster projects are a key part of Pillar II: Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness, offering high-value funding for international consortia to tackle thematic priorities.
These projects bring together companies, universities, and research institutions across Europe to co-develop solutions in fields such as health, climate, digital transformation, and more.
UK businesses can participate fully in Horizon Europe Clusters following the UK’s association with the programme. This means UK applicants are eligible for EU funding as either project coordinators or partners.
Are UK Companies Eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects?
Horizon Europe is structured around six Clusters. Each has its own themes, priorities, and funding calls. Projects are expected to drive impact, industrial competitiveness, and EU resilience.
Are UK Companies Eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects?
Horizon Europe is structured around six Clusters. Each has its own themes, priorities, and funding calls. Projects are expected to drive impact, industrial competitiveness, and EU resilience.
Are UK Companies Eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects?
Yes. UK organisations can access Horizon Europe Cluster funding on the same terms as EU members. This includes:
Full participation rights in consortia as either a lead or partner
Eligibility for funding directly from the EU Commission and access to all six Clusters, provided project alignment
To be eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects, applicants must be a UK legal entity such as a company, research centre, or university. They must form a consortium with at least three eligible organisations from different European countries, and their proposal must directly align with a live funding call listed on the official EU Participant Portal.
Are UK Companies Eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects?
Yes. UK organisations can access Horizon Europe Cluster funding on the same terms as EU members. This includes:
Full participation rights in consortia as either a lead or partner
Eligibility for funding directly from the EU Commission and access to all six Clusters, provided project alignment
To be eligible for Horizon Europe Cluster Projects, applicants must be a UK legal entity such as a company, research centre, or university. They must form a consortium with at least three eligible organisations from different European countries, and their proposal must directly align with a live funding call listed on the official EU Participant Portal.
Choosing the Right Horizon Europe Grant Based on TRL, Funding, and Collaboration
Horizon Europe Clusters Projects: TRLs and Fit
Understanding Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) helps identify which grant matches your innovation stage:
TRL
Stage
Best Fit Cluster Programme
2–4
Early R&D, Proof of Concept
Cluster Projects, Pathfinder
5–7
Validation, Demonstration
Cluster Projects, EIC Transition
8–9
Market Scaling
EIC Accelerator, Eurostars
Projects applying under Clusters are typically at TRL 4–7, though this can vary by topic.
When planning your EU funding strategy, it’s vital to choose the programme that aligns with your innovation stage, budget needs, and delivery capacity. The chart below compares Clusters with other major Horizon Europe opportunities.
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This chart highlights where each programme sits in terms of funding size and innovation maturity. Cluster Projects typically support mid-stage technologies with strong collaborative impact.
Choosing the Right Horizon Europe Grant Based on TRL, Funding, and Collaboration
Horizon Europe Clusters Projects: TRLs and Fit
Understanding Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) helps identify which grant matches your innovation stage:
TRL
Stage
Best Fit Cluster Programme
2–4
Early R&D, Proof of Concept
Cluster Projects, Pathfinder
5–7
Validation, Demonstration
Cluster Projects, EIC Transition
8–9
Market Scaling
EIC Accelerator, Eurostars
Projects applying under Clusters are typically at TRL 4–7, though this can vary by topic.
When planning your EU funding strategy, it’s vital to choose the programme that aligns with your innovation stage, budget needs, and delivery capacity. The chart below compares Clusters with other major Horizon Europe opportunities.
–
This chart highlights where each programme sits in terms of funding size and innovation maturity. Cluster Projects typically support mid-stage technologies with strong collaborative impact.
Applying for a Horizon Europe Cluster Projects grant involves a detailed, multi-stage process. These projects demand high-scoring proposals that not only show technical innovation but also demonstrate impact across EU policy priorities. FI Group supports UK applicants across the entire lifecycle, from identifying the right call to managing post-award delivery.
How FI Group Supports Cluster Projects Success
Leading UK innovators and international consortia trust us to deliver success across Horizon Europe Cluster Projects:
Strategic Grant Positioning: We align your proposal with Horizon Europe Cluster objectives, clearly mapping proof of concept to TRL 6
Technical & Commercial Expertise: Our PhD-level consultants combine scientific insight with business modelling, IP strategy, and EU evaluator expectations
Pan-European Consortium Building: With +40 offices across Europe we help UK teams build compliant, credible EU partnerships
End-to-End Delivery: From eligibility checks and bid writing to post-award setup, financial claims, and audit support, we manage success from start to finish
“Horizon Europe Clusters fund big ideas, but they also demand structure, scalability, and clarity. Our clients do more than apply. They compete with confidence, backed by the right partners, messaging, and technical execution.” – Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director
Leading UK innovators and international consortia trust us to deliver success across Horizon Europe Cluster Projects:
Strategic Grant Positioning: We align your proposal with Horizon Europe Cluster objectives, clearly mapping proof of concept to TRL 6
Technical & Commercial Expertise: Our PhD-level consultants combine scientific insight with business modelling, IP strategy, and EU evaluator expectations
Pan-European Consortium Building: With +40 offices across Europe we help UK teams build compliant, credible EU partnerships
End-to-End Delivery: From eligibility checks and bid writing to post-award setup, financial claims, and audit support, we manage success from start to finish
“Horizon Europe Clusters fund big ideas, but they also demand structure, scalability, and clarity. Our clients do more than apply. They compete with confidence, backed by the right partners, messaging, and technical execution.” – Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director
Understanding the structure, rules, and expectations of Cluster Projects is essential before applying. Below, we answer the most common questions UK applicants ask.
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
Leading innovators across the UK, from deep-tech start-ups to large research-driven corporates, trust FI Group to guide their most strategic grant bids. Our tailored support has helped secure multi-million euro awards through Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, and Innovate UK. Clients return to us year after year for our end-to-end delivery, strategic insight, and deep evaluator understanding.
Jenny Young, Head of Business Operations, Mocean
We've had an excellent experience collaborating with FI Group. Their team of consultants demonstrated proficiency in evaluating and comprehending our innovative wave energy technology, leading to a comprehensive technical report that played a significant role in securing our R&D tax credit repayment.
Robin Lumely-Savile, Director, BeMore
The smoothest way to work on R&D Tax Credit – not only are they experts of the subject but also sectors specialists; FI Group could get all the technical elements of our business by themselves leading to a successful and remarkable result.
Praveen Sagar - Director and co-founder at OxDevice Ltd.
Giuseppe Amoroso from FI group did our R&D tax claim and successfully submitted on our behalf of OxDevice. Excellent team work in Submitting the claim.
Speak to a Cluster Funding Expert
FI Group helps UK organisations navigate the complexity of EU funding and build powerful, eligible consortia that win. From call scoping to reporting, we provide end-to-end strategic support.
FI Group helps UK organisations navigate the complexity of EU funding and build powerful, eligible consortia that win. From call scoping to reporting, we provide end-to-end strategic support.
