Transnational research and innovation projects in the field of urban development are eligible for funding through this year’s call for proposals under the European partnership Driving Urban Transitions (DUT). Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency are launching a call for proposals in autumn 2026 to enable organisations based in Sweden to participate in international projects that help cities in their transition to more sustainable economies and societies.
The aim of the new call for proposals within DUT is to provide support for transnational research and innovation projects working on cities’ transition to more sustainable economies and societies. This is the fourth call for proposals under DUT and is co-funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe framework programme.
Challenges Based on the Partnership’s Pillars
The partnership is divided into areas, known as pillars (transition pathways), each of which identifies a number of topics as challenges.
- Circular Urban Economies (CUE)
- Positive Energy Districts (PED)
- 15-Minute City (15mC)
A new feature of the 2026 call for proposals is the inclusion of a topic with a clear focus on innovation that is common to all three pillars.
Formas co-funds projects in circular urban economies, and the Swedish Energy Agency co-funds projects in positive energy districts. When the call for proposals opens, it will also be clear whether Swedish applicants will be able to apply for national funding for the 15-minute city, butin any case,there will be an opportunity to participate in such projects with their own co-funding.
Circular Urban Economies (CUE)
This pillar aims to promote urban places, communities and neighbourhoods that are sustained by circular resource flows and improve the well-being of their residents and ecosystems. It encourages urban planning and design characterised by regenerative urbanism and promotes the combination of circular principles, urban greenery and equal access to urban spaces and resources.
Below is a summary of the topics identified as challenges related to this pillar.
- Topic 1 (Cross-cutting): Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
- Topic 2: Innovative maintenance of urban green and blue spaces
- Topic 3: Rethinking urban production for circular and resilient cities
Transnational research and innovation projects
Researchers, cities, local authorities, businesses, civil society, actors from the cultural and creative sectors, and other stakeholders who can contribute to urban transition are welcome to apply for funding under this call. Applicants are encouraged to explicitly engage with stakeholders such as businesses, public organisations and civil society organisations in their projects.
A broad range of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches are important, and projects need to integrate diversity perspectives – the call encourages a spectrum of activities, from research to innovation and application. One of the clear objectives of the call is to take users’ needs into account when identifying the project’s objectives.
Applications may be submitted for a project duration of up to 36 months. There is no financial limit per project. Please note national restrictions and the regulations of the respective funding organisations regarding what can be applied for.
A consortium must comprise at least three applicant organisations from at least three participating countries, and these must be eligible for funding from their respective national or regional funding bodies. The added value of transnational collaboration should be clearly stated.
Matchmaking takes place via the B2Match tool.
Important Dates
- The call for proposals opens on September 1, 2026
- National information session: September 4, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m. CEST (online via Zoom) External link.
- International information session: September 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CEST (online) External link.
- Application deadline for Phase 1: November 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CET.
- Applicants are invited to submit a complete application in February 2027
- Application deadline for Stage 2: April 15, 2027, at 1:00 p.m. CET
- Decisions and notification of results to applicants: July 2027
- Project start: September 2027 – January 2028
- Kickoff meeting: 2028
More information
For more information on circular urban economies, please contact Formas—see contact information below.
For more information on positive energy districts, contact the Swedish Energy Agency.
For complete information on topics such as challenges, participating countries and their budgets, the application process, and transnational requirements, please refer to the Driving Urban Transitions partnership website and the international call for proposals.
Contact
