Unlocking European ECS Opportunities 

The EUREKA XECS Cluster new call for projects

The Eureka Xecs cluster has become a central instrument for advancing innovation across the electronic components and systems (ECS) domain in Europe. Designed to stimulate collaboration, strengthen ecosystems and accelerate the development of groundbreaking technologies, the annual Xecs Calls are a unique opportunity for organisations to access funding and bring ambitious research, development and innovation (RD&I) projects to life.

At the heart of Xecs is the ambition to align projects with the ECS Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which outlines Europe’s key priorities in areas such as digital transformation, sustainability and the future of electronic systems. This ensures that funded projects are not only technologically relevant, but also contribute directly to broader European strategies.

A Structured and Supportive Process

For the upcoming call, organisations are invited to submit project ideas through a two-stage process:
1. The first step is the submission of a Project Outline, which allows applicants to present their concept and receive initial feedback from technical experts and national funding authorities.
2. Successful outlines are then invited to the second stage, the Full Project Proposal, where applicants provide a more detailed plan for evaluation.

This staged approach creates an important advantage: It gives consortia the chance to test the waters before investing heavily in full proposals. It also provides valuable early feedback, helping applicants refine their projects and improve their chances of success.

Upcoming Call 5: Key Deadlines

The next Xecs Call (Call 5) is already on the horizon. Interested organisations should note the key dates:

* The Project Outline deadline is set for 22 January 2026
* Full Proposals must be submitted by 16 April 2026. 

With only a few months between the two stages, careful planning is essential. This short window is a critical period for strengthening your consortium, refining your technical vision and ensuring that each partner aligns with national priorities and eligibility rules.

The Importance of National Priorities

Although the calls are open to all areas covered by the ECS SRIA, the specific funding priorities can vary significantly between participating countries. This means that success depends not only on developing an excellent project idea, but also on understanding the funding landscape in each partner country. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to engage with their national authorities early in the process. Doing so will help identify potential gaps, avoid misalignments and increase the likelihood of securing funding.

From Idea to Project Execution

The journey through a Xecs Call can be seen as four interconnected phases: Developing the project idea, building a strong consortium, submitting the proposal and, if successful, managing the project after approval. Each phase requires its own focus. Early ideation is best supported by networking and partner-finding platforms. Building the consortium means finding the right balance between research organisations, SMEs and industrial partners from across Europe. Submission involves translating a good idea into a compelling and competitive proposal. Finally, once funding is secured, strong project management ensures compliance, impact and dissemination.

Why Xecs Stands Out

What makes Xecs particularly attractive is its combination of predictability, support and impact. The regular annual calls provide stability, while the two-stage process lowers the barriers to entry. The ecosystem of events and support services strengthens the quality of proposals, and the clear link to European strategies ensures that funded projects are positioned to make a real difference. Even for applicants who are not successful in the first attempt, the constructive feedback provided can become a valuable tool for preparing stronger proposals in the future.

Especially, the opportunity for large companies to work together with SMEs is appealing. Funding rates for each participant depend on national funding rules of the funding bodies involved, and also on the type of organisation of the applicant, and generally involve funding rates around 50 – 60%.

The list of countries that have confirmed participation (although all EUREKA member states can provide funding): Austria, Belgium (Brussels), Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Canada, Chile, Czechia, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal.

See more info here

Final Thoughts

For organisations operating in the ECS domain, the Xecs Calls represent a powerful opportunity to collaborate internationally, secure funding and shape Europe’s technological future. Success requires foresight, preparation and early engagement with both partners and national authorities. But with the right approach, these calls can be the gateway to impactful projects that not only push forward technological boundaries but also contribute to Europe’s strategic ambitions in sustainability and digital transformation.

How We Can Help

At Nordic Innovators, we have extensive experience guiding our clients through the complexities of European funding programmes, including XECS. Whether it is identifying the right funding instruments to build a financing strategy for their projects, aligning project ideas with national and European priorities, or supporting them in writing a competitive and compliant proposal, we are here to help.

We also provide hands-on assistance with consortium building, budgeting and project management, ensuring that the participation in Xecs not only secures funding but also delivers long-term impact. 

By partnering with us, you gain a trusted advisor who can transform your innovation potential into funded reality.

Contact us