New European Excellence Initiative selects projects to empower higher education institutions and widen cooperation
The European Commission is investing €80 million in 16 new projects funded by the European Excellence Initiative, advancing R&I collaboration and excellence in universities from across Europe. Two of the winning projects will benefit Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The initiative supports universities in developing scientific excellence, improving knowledge valorisation, and building stronger links with partners across Europe. Through strategic cooperation, talent development and institutional reform, it aims to create a more competitive, resilient and internationally connected higher education system.
Selected from 284 applications, these 16 projects will start their activities between September 2026 and January 2027.
The projects’ research focus goes from circular economy to agriculture, brain health, robotics and much more.
For example, WARIE is coordinated by the Institute for Informatics and Automation of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. It will support universities in Armenia, Georgia and Moldova to advance AI excellence through research hubs, skills development, upgraded digital infrastructure and a closer European Research Area integration, enhancing innovation and regional competitiveness.
HydraLink is coordinated by the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. With an EU contribution of around €5 million, the project aims to modernise higher education institutions in Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Greece by strengthening institutional excellence, research capacity and innovation in ‘Controlled Environment Agriculture’. This is a technology-based approach to farming that grows crops inside enclosed structures by precisely managing environmental factors like temperature, light, humidity and nutrients.
The European Excellence Initiative (EEI) is part of the Horizon Europe – Widening participation and spreading excellence programme. Its objectives are to empower higher education institutions in Widening Countries and strengthen their research and innovation capacity.
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