Destination 5: Digital and industrial technologies driving human-centric innovation

This destination supports Europe’s leadership in trustworthy and interoperable virtual worlds by advancing immersive technologies, advanced hardware and seamless integration across the telecom, cloud and edge continuum. Through the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds and a Web 4.0 framework based on open-source solutions and shared standards, it aims to strengthen interoperability, decentralisation and trust, while reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness, technological sovereignty and alignment with EU values.

Proposals are invited against the following topic(s):

Call: DIGITAL

• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-HUMAN-01: Developing and demonstrating core technologies for Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 (IA) (Virtual worlds Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-HUMAN-02: Web 4.0 architectural framework and Open Internet Stack applications for virtual worlds (RIA)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-01: Advanced and Innovative hardware components for Virtual Worlds (RIA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02: Create a thriving and competitive Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 ecosystem (CSA) (Virtual Worlds Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-07: Facilitate the engagement of European stakeholders in international digital standardisation (CSA)

Total Budget

2026: 46,8 MEUR

2027: 49 MEUR

Deadline

15.04.2026 / 18.03.2027