Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action to support projects that address gender-based violence and politically motivated violence targeting women and LGBTIQ people engaged in public and political life across multiple countries.
The programme focuses on enhancing understanding of the drivers of violence against politically active women and LGBTIQ people, strengthening prevention and early intervention measures, promoting evidence-based policy recommendations, encouraging responsible and gender-sensitive media reporting, and fostering inclusive environments that support equal political participation. It also prioritises research on online and offline violence, harmful narratives, hate speech, disinformation campaigns, cyber harassment, deepfakes, and the impact of crises on gender-based and LGBTIQ-phobic violence. The topic further encourages intersectional analysis considering factors such as disability, racial or ethnic background, age, religion or belief, and other forms of discrimination.
The call highlights the growing intersection between gender-based violence and politically motivated violence, particularly as women and LGBTIQ individuals become more visible in public life. According to the European Commission, these forms of violence reinforce harmful gender norms, deepen inequalities, and threaten democratic participation. The programme encourages research into both online and offline violence, including harassment, hate speech, physical threats, sexual violence, disinformation campaigns, and manipulative digital content.
The initiative also recognises the harmful role that sensationalist and biased media coverage can play in shaping public attitudes toward violence against women and LGBTIQ people in politics. Projects are encouraged to analyse the influence of media, cinema, literature, and social platforms on public perceptions and to develop recommendations that support ethical, safe, and intersectional reporting practices.
Applicants are expected to adopt a multi-country and interdisciplinary research approach using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Proposals should involve civil society organisations, affected individuals, and stakeholders throughout the research process. The inclusion of men and boys in violence prevention and efforts to challenge discriminatory norms is considered an important component of the research activities.
The programme also encourages the use of data and services available through European Research Infrastructures connected to the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Applicants are expected to ensure that research data produced under the project follows FAIR principles, making it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.
The total budget available for this topic is €12 million under the Horizon Europe framework. The call follows a single-stage application process, with applications opening on 12 May 2026 and the submission deadline set for 23 September 2026. Individual projects are expected to receive funding between €3.5 million and €4 million.
The opportunity is open to any legal entity regardless of its country of establishment, including organisations from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided they meet the conditions established under Horizon Europe regulations. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before signing the grant agreement.
For more information, visit European Commission.
