Ecsite is looking for 23 members to run “Science comes to town” events in their town in 2026.

We’re participating in a proposal for a new Horizon Europe call to organise the first edition of “Science comes to town” in 2026, a year-long science engagement programme with activities in cities across Europe.

What’s in it for you?

• Join a European initiative with cities all over the European Union and organise your own “Science comes to town” event or series of events
• Get support to engage with your local research & innovation community
• Each participant gets a maximum of €60,000.00 for their activity

Who can apply?

• Full Members of Ecsite, based in a Member State of the European Union other than Austria, Cyprus, Lithuania or Portugal.

Express your interest as soon as possible to cboissenin@ecsite.eu

Apply by 9th September 18.00 CEST

Listen to the recording of the info sessions which took place in July HERE and in August HERE.

Read our full call below.

CALL

About the proposal

Ecsite is involved in a new Horizon Europe proposal that responds to the call Science comes to town.

The project is coordinated by Ciência Viva, the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture in Portugal. Ecsite is joining as project partner.

This project aims to strengthen the connection between cutting-edge science & technology and communities in European towns and cities. In this project, a series of attractive science engagement events will be organised by our EU-based members in their cities, with their communities.

This is a two-year project. If selected, the project is expected to start in July 2025.

Ecsite and the Coordinator of the proposal are looking for 23 organisations, one per EU Member State other than Austria, Cyprus, Lithuania or Portugal.

Your role in the project

Your main tasks will be:

• To organize a “Science comes to town” event or series of events in your town or city, with your communities & your local research & innovation ecosystem, during a specific period of 12 days in 2026.
  • This can include science festivals, interactive exhibits, public lectures by researchers, workshops for communities or students, citizen activities or any other format.
• To attend knowledge-sharing activities with the other organisations involved (online, and at least 1 meeting in person).
• To contribute to the evaluation of your own programme.
• To provide reports and insights on all activities as required by Ecsite.

You will join the project with the status of Affiliated Entity, meaning you are joining with Ecsite as one of our members.

Indicative budget

• 4 to 5 Person-Months of salary costs (equivalent to 4 to 5 months FTE)
• €7,000.00 in direct costs (e.g. consumables for events, catering & rental, marketing…)
• €1,000.00 in travel and subsistence for one staff member to attend 1 meeting abroad
• Overheads (indirect costs) of 25% of your budget to cover your internal costs
• The maximum amount cannot go beyond €60,000.00 as specified in the call.

Obligatory

1. Ecsite Full member status in 2024 & 2023.
2. English-speaking project manager.
3. The institution must be active in public engagement in science.
4. The institution must be located and carry out its activities in an EU Member State other than Austria, Cyprus, Lithuania & Portugal.
5. The institution must be able to provide a letter of support from their municipality or local authorities. A template is provided below this article. You are allowed to adapt it or delete paragraphs depending on the support your local authorities are willing to provide.
6. Ciência Viva has developed a concept that comprises a year-long science engagement programme in 2026, divided into 26 consecutive periods of 12 days each. Each period will feature a “Science comes to town” event in one Member State. Please express your top three preferences for a specific period (see calendar in the online application form). Each of the 26 periods is labelled with a corresponding letter of the Latin alphabet, serving as a starting point for programming (in English or in a local language).
7. The institution must propose a draft programme of science engagement activities in their town or city for a period of 12 days

• Important: you cannot use this funding to pay for an already established event. Your proposed programme must be either brand new or be an added value to an activity you are planning.

Desirable

• Suggested programme proposing a particularly innovative approach to science engagement in the context of your town or city, with an emphasis on linking with the local research and innovation ecosystem, their priorities, their challenges…
• Proven experience & existing partnerships with your local science, research & innovation ecosystem.
• Suggested programme with an emphasis on inclusive & participatory approaches.
• Assessment of the expected qualitative and quantitative impact of your programme (on local, national or European level)
• Additional sponsors for your programme.

How to apply

Please fill in the online form and upload your municipality’s letter of support & draft engagement programme by 9th September 2024 18:00 CEST. Successful applicants will be notified in due course and may be requested to submit additional information.

If you are planning to apply, express your interest by sending a message to Clara Boissenin (Ecsite) at cboissenin@ecsite.eu.

Listen to the recording of the info sessions which took place in July HERE and in August HERE.