Call for proposals "Validation of Social Innovations by Startups (VALID)"

Publication date

8.5.2026. 16:00

Application start

8.6.2026. 09:00

Application deadline

4.9.2026. 12:00

Status

Open

About call for proposal

FAQ

Call reference number: DIGIT.2.1.01 
Funding source: DIGIT Project
Type of call: Temporary open – one stage submission
Status: Open
Publication date: May 8, 2026, 16:00
Start date for project application submission: June 8, 2026, 9:00
Deadline for project application submission: September 4, 2026, 12:00
Responsible authority: Ministry of Science, Education and Youth

Subject of this call:

The subject of this Call is to fund research and development (R&D) activities at the pre-commercial stage that support the development and practical demonstration of social innovation solutions. The Call targets R&D sub-projects that address clearly identified societal challenges and advance innovative solutions toward validation and demonstration in relevant or operational environments. Projects are expected to integrate digital and/or green components where relevant, using them as instruments to generate measurable social outcomes and improved well-being of individuals and communities. By supporting socially driven innovation processes and reducing the risks associated with testing and validating new solutions in practice, the Call aims to strengthen the capacity of enterprises and research organizations to deliver sustainable and scalable social impact.

Total grant funding available: €5,000,000.00
Minimum grant amount: €80,000.00
Maximum grant amount: €300,000.00

Eligible applicants for this call: start-ups (micro and small enterprises up to 5 years following its registration)

Documentation of this call:

  1. Guidelines for Applicants
  2. Annex I. Conditions for the Preparation and Implementation of Projects
  3. Annex II. Declaration by the Applicant
  4. Annex III. Declaration by the Partner
  5. Annex IV. Application Form
  6. Annex V. Indicative Content of the Baseline Survey
  7. Annex VI. Curriculum Vitae
  8. Annex VII. Environmental and Social Screening Questionnaire
  9. Annex VIII. Group Statement
  10. Annex IX. Minimum Content Requirements for the Partnership Agreement
  11. Annex X. Declaration by the Collaborator
  12. Annex XI. Declaration on the Received Aid
  13. Annex XII. Project Budget

Notice to Potential Applicants – Security Instrument – June 17th, 2026

Potential applicants are hereby informed that, prior to the signing of the Grant Agreement, successful applicants will be required to submit a certified (solemnized) blank promissory note as a security instrument.

The amount of the blank promissory note must be at least equal to the approved grant amount. Where the approved grant amount does not correspond to a standard promissory note amount, the first available promissory note amount exceeding the approved grant amount shall be used.

The blank promissory note will serve as a security instrument for the recovery of funds in cases of non-compliance with contractual obligations, including, but not limited to, the identification of ineligible costs, the recovery of unspent advance payments, or termination of the Grant Agreement.

Submission of a valid blank promissory note is also a prerequisite for the disbursement of advance payment funds.