Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%

05 May 2026 | News

We crunched the numbers for Horizon’s Cluster 4 digital calls in 2026

Photo credits: Ken Teegardin / Flickr

Only around 1 in 20 Horizon Europe project proposals for AI, digital and data-related research and innovation will get funded in 2026, as the EU sees a jump in interest in its research funding schemes. 

Horizon Europe has seen a surge in applications in the past few years, with success rates for some calls dipping as low as 1% and its established schemes for fundamental research projects reporting more than 30% increase in proposals in just one year for some calls. 

But the EU’s funding for digital calls has always been very popular, with success rates for some of the calls hovering much below Horizon Europe average, which currently stands at 15%, according to the European Commission’s