IMPETUS Accelerator Programme
Everything you need to apply for The IMPETUS Accelerator Programme
Two grant types are available:
- Kickstarting grants: If you are starting or have recently established a new project, you can apply for a kickstarting grant. Successful applicants will receive €20,000, mentoring and training support to help establish your initiative for seven months.
- Sustaining grants: If your project is ongoing, you can apply for a sustaining grant; successful applicants will receive €10,000, mentoring, and training support for seven months.
The IMPETUS Accelerator is a great opportunity if you are:
- thinking of starting a new citizen science project;
- an ongoing citizen science project looking for support, financial and otherwise, to grow and become sustainable;
- a researcher or a research team seeking to establish a new citizen science project;
- a community interested in co-designing research on the topics related to our challenges: Citizen Science to support Circular Communities and Citizen Science for a Fair and Just Society;
- An organisation in public, private, and third sectors that is exploring the use of citizen science in their work.
For our third and final IMPETUS Accelerator, we are looking to support new and ongoing projects which focus on either of the following challenges:
Challenge 1 - Citizen Science to Support Circular Communities
Specifically, we are interested in projects that address one or more of the following topics, which are related to SDGs #7, #11, #12, and #3:
- Resource Management: Advocate for sustainable lifestyles by encouraging resource efficiency, waste reduction, and adopting practices that prioritise reuse and pollution prevention.
- Infrastructure & Housing: Support developing and enhancing sustainable and resilient housing, energy systems, and public transport networks to meet current and future needs while minimising environmental impact.
- Disaster Resilience: Promote community-driven initiatives that focus on preparedness, risk prevention, and adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters and ensure long-term resilience. Working with the communities affected the most by climate change and other disasters.
Challenge 2- Citizen Science for a Fair and Just Society
Specifically, we are interested in projects that address one or more of the following topics, which are related to SDGs #4, #5, #10, and #16:
- Democracy and Peace: Citizen science can rebuild trust in democracy, promote social cohesion, and support peace by bridging divides in European communities.
- Inclusion: Citizen science empowers disadvantaged communities, such as rural, elderly, and low-income groups, by amplifying their voices and providing them with avenues to drive meanful change.
- Public Trust, Education and Empowerment: Citizen science fosters trust and understanding by involving communities in research and creating accessible, engaging content through collaborations, countering misinformation and declining trust in institutions.
Who can apply? Individuals, legal entities, and consortia from countries eligible for Horizon Europe grants may apply. This includes EU Member States or third countries in Europe that are associated or negotiating an association agreement with Horizon Europe.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
To be eligible to apply for IMPETUS, applicants must fulfil several criteria, related to:
- Individuals, legal entities or consortia can apply but they must all be eligible, need to pick a lead organisation and can only participate in one application
- They need to be from an eligible country
- They must be submitted by the deadline – 13th of March at 12:00 (noon) CET
- They need a signed declaration of honour
- Kickstarting projects can only be a maximum of six months into the process
- Sustaining projects must have an established community and/or processes and need evidence of impact
Funding can cover salaries, equipment, consumables, travel, and subcontracting, adhering to Horizon Europe guidelines.
Get in touch if you have any questions: opencall@impetus4cs.eu
You can find translated descriptions of the call here.
Useful Information:
OUR GOAL IS TO
- Enable more diverse citizen science initiatives to access funding.
- Bring citizen science closer to society and policymakers.
- Acknowledge the role of citizen science in tackling the challenges of our times.
- Contribute to Green Deal and UN SDG commitments.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED?
- IMPETUS will fund a seven-month project running from June 2025 to January 2026 as part of its acceleration program.
- Projects must address one of our challenges and impact at least one of these areas: Science, Society, Policy, Economy, or Environment.
ALL APPLICATION FORMS
- Application form
- Challenge 1: Circular Communities
- Challenge 2: Fair and Just Society
- Declaration of honour
- Guide for applicants
- FAQs
- Guide for Applicants
Click here for all the forms you need!
If you would like to learn more about these calls, Register for our Open Call Explained Webinar.
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