The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) is supporting the development of European AI chip demonstrators that can move advanced chip designs closer to integration into real European compute infrastructure.

The call is the first stream under the AI Chips and Systems for EU Compute Infrastructure initiative and focuses on bringing cutting-edge European AI chip designs to the demonstrator stage, with functional silicon hardware integrated with system partners and prepared for infrastructure-level evaluation.

Funding Available

The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) has opened a joint call for international collaboration between Europe and Japan on semiconductors, focusing on the development of a strong chiplet ecosystem for AI and advanced semiconductor process technologies for nodes beyond 2nm.

The call is designed to bring together European and Japanese organisations to advance semiconductor technologies, strengthen industrial cooperation and support the development of next-generation chip architectures.

Funding Available

The International Climate Finance Accelerator (ICFA) is a multi-year programme supporting emerging investment managers to launch and develop climate-focused impact investment funds and mobilise capital towards sustainable development.

The programme is designed for fund management or fund advisory companies raising their first or second institutional impact investment vehicle, with a strong focus on climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.

Financial & Technical Support

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Pre-Seed Fund 2026, implemented by Propella Business Incubator in the Eastern Cape, provides funding support for entrepreneurs and SMMEs developing early-stage technologies with potential for commercialisation and further growth.

The fund is intended to help innovators move their technologies beyond early development by supporting activities such as proof-of-concept development, prototype development, technology validation, technical feasibility studies and relevant market research.

Funding Available

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Open Call 2026 invites researchers and innovators to propose new COST Actions, collaborative science and technology networks designed to advance knowledge and strengthen international research collaboration.

COST Actions are bottom-up and open to all science and technology fields, meaning proposals can address a challenge or emerging opportunity identified by the research community. Multi- and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged.

Funding Available

The TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant Program supports nonprofit and charitable organisations developing sustainable, community-driven solutions through education, empowerment, innovation and service.

The programme seeks organisations that understand the needs of their communities and can demonstrate strong leadership, financial stewardship, measurable impact and a clear pathway towards lasting change.

TEEEM Foundation supports organisations working to improve lives and strengthen communities around the world.

The EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) Call for Proposals 2026 will support higher education institutions and their innovation ecosystem partners in strengthening the capacity to transform STEM talent, research and knowledge into deep-tech and manufacturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

The call focuses on strengthening HEIs as drivers of innovation by improving entrepreneurship and intellectual property capabilities, knowledge valorisation and technology transfer, and collaboration with industry and wider European innovation ecosystems.

The SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme is an 18-month business growth programme supporting South African entrepreneurs who have already established commercially viable businesses and are ready to strengthen their operations and pursue further growth.

The programme provides tailored business support, mentoring and practical development assistance focused on strengthening leadership, financial management, operational systems, market access and overall business capability.

MANTRA 2nd Open Call – Support for Manufacturing SMEs

Overview

The MANTRA (Sustainable and Innovative Manufacturing by Ensuring Digital, Green, and Social SME Transformation) 2nd Open Call supports European manufacturing SMEs undertaking practical green, digital and social transformation projects.