Strategic Grants

Strategic Grants support project addressing annual strategic priorities of the Visegrad Group. Strategic priorities are announced annually by the V4 country holding the rotating presidency over the group, which from July 2026 to June 2027 is Slovakia.

At-a-Glance Criteria

- Partnership: Active cooperation of organizations from all four V4 countries - Duration & focus: Project runs 12–36 months and must address one annual strategic priority of the V4 - Funding: Grants cover up to 100% of costs (incl. 15% overheads); typical size €35,000–€45,000

Timeline

- Sep 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM: Call opens - Oct 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM: Final application deadline - Dec 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM: Results announced

What is the Strategic Grant?

Strategic Grants support project addressing annual strategic priorities of the Visegrad Group. Strategic priorities are announced annually by the V4 country holding the rotating presidency over the group, which from July 2025 to June 2026 is Hungary.

Conditions

- Projects must develop meaningful cooperation and ensure active participation of organizations from all V4 countries - Maximum duration of projects is 36 months, minimum is 12 months - Grants cover up to 100% of project budget with 15% for overheads - The majority of grants awarded within the Strategic Grants scheme are between €35,000 and €45,000 - Projects must clearly address one of the annual strategic priorities of the Visegrad Group

Strategic priorities

V4@35: Generation Future

- Projects emphasizing the importance of strengthening links and developing cooperation between societies of the V4 countries in the context of the V4’s 35th anniversary with a special emphasis on young people born after our countries joined the EU and Schengen. Focusing on academic mobility, joint educational platforms, and discussions on what the V4 should look like in the next years.

Smart & Sustainable Cities in the V4 Region

- Strengthening cross-border partnerships among V4 countries and connecting local governments, civil society, startups, and academia to promote innovative solutions. Initiatives targeting efficient use of energy, transportation, water resources, emission reduction, and environmental protection.

Facilitating research and development cooperation in the region

- Promoting regional R&D collaborations focusing on innovation and knowledge sharing among Visegrad countries, Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries. Supporting technological development and intellectual property management in our region.

How to apply

You can submit your project proposals via My Visegrad any time during the submission period.

Consulting your project proposal is possible via e-mail, phone, or online and in-person meetings based on appointments. A max of two consultations can be provided per project idea based on draft project proposal.

Any consultation can take place no later than 14 days before the given application deadline.

For the step-by-step guidance on how to prepare your application, familiarize yourself with the latest Grant Guidelines and check Questions & Answers.