Coordination and Support Actions: Strategic Networking in Horizon Europe

Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) represent a specialized funding instrument within Horizon Europe that provides 100% funding for activities that coordinate research efforts, support networking, and enhance the impact of EU research investments. A CSA is a funding mechanism that facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange rather than conducting primary research, making it essential for building European research ecosystems and maximizing programme effectiveness across the EUR 95.5 billion Horizon Europe budget for 2021-2027.

Unlike Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) or Innovation Actions (IAs), CSAs focus exclusively on coordination activities such as organizing conferences, developing roadmaps, facilitating stakeholder dialogue, and providing specialized services to research communities. The European Innovation Council's recent CSA call for ecosystem services, for example, allocates up to EUR 60,000 per recipient to co-fund access to specialized training, mentoring, and business coaching services from EIC Ecosystem Partners.

Understanding CSAs becomes crucial when you're seeking to enhance collaboration, disseminate results, or provide specialized services to the EU research ecosystem. Many coordinators find CSAs particularly valuable because they eliminate co-financing requirements while enabling organizations to build influential positions within European research networks.

How do CSAs differ fundamentally from research-focused actions?

CSAs operate under completely different principles compared to RIAs and IAs. While RIAs advance knowledge through research activities and IAs emphasize technology development, CSAs concentrate exclusively on coordination, networking, and support functions that amplify the effectiveness of existing research investments.

The funding structure represents the most significant distinction: CSAs receive 100% EU funding rates across all participant categories, while RIAs typically provide 100% funding only for research organizations and IAs offer 70% funding for most participants. This funding approach reflects the public service nature of coordination activities compared to research that may generate commercial benefits.

Project activities in CSAs emphasize networking events, stakeholder consultations, roadmap development, and knowledge dissemination rather than laboratory research or technology validation. The European Innovation Ecosystems work programme demonstrates this approach through CSAs focused on strengthening Technology Transfer Offices and enhancing startup-scaleup connections across Europe.

Duration and consortium requirements also differ significantly. CSAs typically involve shorter project durations and smaller consortia focused on coordination capacity rather than research excellence. Single entity applications are often permissible for CSAs, recognizing that specialized organizations with established networks can effectively deliver coordination services independently.

What specific activities can you fund through CSAs?

CSAs support a comprehensive range of coordination and support activities designed to maximize the impact of Horizon Europe investments. These activities fall into distinct categories, each serving specific coordination objectives within the European research and innovation ecosystem.

Networking and stakeholder engagement form the core of CSA funding. You can organize international conferences, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, establish expert groups, and create platforms for knowledge exchange. The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking exemplifies this approach through projects like SNS ICE, which creates collaborative environments for European and global stakeholders involved in 6G smart networks preparation.

Training and capacity building represent another significant funding area. CSAs support specialized training programs, innovation boot camps, summer schools, and mentoring services that enhance research community capabilities. According to the EIC's ecosystem partnership CSA, supported services include specialized training in IP protection, technology due diligence, and business coaching.

Information services and dissemination activities receive substantial CSA support. This encompasses developing databases, creating roadmaps, publishing best practice guides, and establishing communication channels that share knowledge across research communities. Many CSAs manage websites, newsletters, and social media presence for specific research domains.

Financial support to third parties represents a specialized CSA category where you distribute lump sum grants to other entities. The EIC's CSA for ecosystem services requires at least 80% of the total budget to be allocated to third-party support, with maximum cumulative support of EUR 60,000 per recipient, demonstrating how CSAs function as funding distribution mechanisms within Horizon Europe.

Who can apply for CSA funding and what are the requirements?

CSA eligibility follows Horizon Europe's standard participation rules while accommodating the coordination-specific nature of these activities. Any legal entity established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country can participate, with requirements varying based on individual call topics and coordination objectives.

Single entity applications are permissible for many CSAs, unlike RIAs and IAs which typically require multi-partner consortia. This flexibility recognizes that coordination activities may be effectively delivered by specialized organizations with established networks and domain expertise. The EIC's recent CSA calls explicitly allow both single entities and consortia to apply as project beneficiaries.

Organizational capacity requirements focus on coordination and networking capabilities rather than research excellence. You must demonstrate experience in stakeholder engagement, event organization, and project management relevant to the specific CSA objectives. Previous experience managing EU-funded coordination projects or working with relevant stakeholder communities significantly strengthens your application.

Financial capacity requirements apply standard Horizon Europe rules, but the 100% funding rate reduces financial risk for participants. Organizations must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to manage proposed activities and any financial support to third parties, particularly for CSAs involving lump sum grant distribution.

Specific sector or domain expertise may be required depending on the CSA topic. The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking's CSAs for supporting industry transition, for instance, require deep understanding of bio-based product markets and industrial transformation processes, while technology-focused CSAs need relevant technical knowledge to coordinate stakeholder activities effectively.

How should you approach the CSA application process?

CSA applications follow the standard Horizon Europe proposal submission process through the Funding and Tenders Portal, but with adaptations reflecting coordination activities rather than research objectives. The application process emphasizes demonstrating coordination capacity, stakeholder networks, and impact amplification strategies.

Your proposal preparation should begin with comprehensive stakeholder mapping and needs analysis. Successful CSAs demonstrate clear understanding of coordination gaps or support needs within target communities. You must identify specific stakeholders, describe engagement strategies, and explain how proposed activities will enhance coordination effectiveness within the broader research ecosystem.

Work package design in CSAs focuses on coordination activities rather than research tasks. Typical work packages include stakeholder analysis and engagement, event organization and management, communication and dissemination, and project management. For CSAs involving financial support to third parties, you need additional work packages covering grant management, evaluation procedures, and monitoring systems.

Budget planning must account for the 100% funding rate while ensuring cost-effectiveness. Personnel costs typically dominate CSA budgets, reflecting the human-intensive nature of coordination activities. Travel and subsistence costs for stakeholder meetings and events represent another significant budget category, while equipment costs remain minimal compared to research projects.

Impact and dissemination planning takes special importance since CSAs aim to amplify the impact of other research investments. Your application must describe specific mechanisms for knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement metrics, and sustainability strategies that ensure coordination benefits persist beyond project duration.

What are the key success factors for managing CSA projects?

Successful CSA projects require distinct management approaches compared to research projects, emphasizing stakeholder relationship management, adaptive planning, and impact measurement rather than scientific discovery. The coordination focus demands different skills and strategies from project coordinators.

Stakeholder engagement represents the foundation of CSA success. Effective projects maintain active relationships with diverse stakeholder communities, including researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and civil society organizations. Many coordinators find that establishing regular communication rhythms and providing tangible value to stakeholders through exclusive insights or networking opportunities maintains engagement throughout project lifecycles.

Adaptive project management becomes crucial given the dynamic nature of coordination activities. Unlike research projects with predetermined methodologies, CSAs must respond to evolving stakeholder needs, emerging coordination opportunities, and changing policy priorities. In practice, successful coordinators maintain flexibility while ensuring progress toward stated objectives through regular stakeholder feedback and needs assessment.

Communication and visibility strategies directly impact CSA effectiveness since these projects aim to enhance awareness and coordination across research communities. Professional communication capabilities, including website management, social media engagement, and publication development, prove essential for maximizing project impact and stakeholder participation.

Partnership development and maintenance require ongoing attention throughout CSA lifecycles. You must nurture relationships with existing partners while continuously expanding networks to include new stakeholders and emerging initiatives. This dynamic partnership approach ensures CSAs remain relevant and comprehensive in their coordination scope.

What does the future hold for Coordination and Support Actions?

The role of CSAs continues expanding within Horizon Europe as the European Commission increasingly recognizes coordination and networking importance for maximizing research investment impact. The programme's emphasis on missions, partnerships, and cross-cutting themes creates growing demand for coordination mechanisms that integrate diverse research efforts and stakeholder communities.

Digital transformation is reshaping CSA implementation approaches, with increased emphasis on virtual networking platforms, online knowledge sharing systems, and digital tools for stakeholder engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption of digital coordination methods that remain prominent features of current CSA projects, enabling broader international participation while reducing coordination costs.

International cooperation aspects of CSAs are gaining importance as European research increasingly engages with global partners and initiatives. Many coordinators report that international stakeholder engagement and standard development activities reflect the trend toward globally-oriented coordination activities within European research frameworks.

Sustainability and climate objectives increasingly influence CSA topics and coordination priorities. The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking's CSAs supporting industry transition demonstrate how coordination activities align with European Green Deal objectives and sustainability transitions across different sectors, suggesting continued growth in environment-focused coordination activities.

The success of current CSAs in facilitating stakeholder coordination and enhancing research impact suggests continued growth in CSA funding allocations within future EU framework programmes. Organizations developing coordination expertise and stakeholder networks through current CSAs position themselves advantageously for expanded coordination opportunities in subsequent programme periods, making CSA participation a strategic investment in long-term European research engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between CSAs and RIAs in Horizon Europe?

CSAs focus on coordination, networking, and support activities rather than conducting primary research like RIAs. CSAs receive 100% EU funding and aim to enhance the impact of existing research investments through stakeholder engagement and knowledge dissemination, while RIAs advance knowledge through original research activities.

Can a single organization apply for CSA funding without partners?

Yes, single entity applications are permitted for many CSAs, unlike RIAs and IAs which typically require multi-partner consortia. This flexibility recognizes that specialized organizations with established networks and domain expertise can effectively deliver coordination services independently.

How much financial support can CSAs provide to third parties?

CSAs involving financial support to third parties can provide lump sum grants, with recent examples including up to EUR 60,000 cumulative support per recipient in EIC ecosystem services CSAs. At least 80% of the total CSA budget must typically be allocated to third-party support in these cases.

What types of activities are typically funded through CSA projects?

CSAs fund networking events, stakeholder dialogues, training programs, dissemination activities, roadmap development, and specialized support services. They can also manage financial support schemes that distribute grants to third parties within specific research communities, such as innovation boot camps and mentoring services.

How are CSA projects evaluated and what metrics are used?

CSA evaluation focuses on coordination effectiveness, stakeholder engagement metrics, and network impact rather than scientific deliverables. Projects must demonstrate successful stakeholder participation, knowledge transfer effectiveness, and sustainable coordination mechanisms that continue beyond the funding period.