This call comes as a key deliverable for the European Democracy Shield Communication of November 2025. In this Communication, the European Commission strongly affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the information environment.
Recent years have seen the rapid evolution of manipulative tactics in the online space, such as new and emerging methods of spreading and amplifying content artificially, the malicious use of AI to generate and disseminate manipulative content, opaque involvement of influencers, creation of deceptive and fake websites, the manipulation of chatbots for deceptive purposes, or exploiting vulnerabilities in algorithmic systems to amplify divisive narratives.
Against this background, understanding the impact of today’s information environment is an essential pre-requisite for society to make informed decisions on a wide array of issues, ranging from choices on legislation and regulatory proceedings, business decisions, ensuring election integrity, media literacy as well as individual consumption choices.
In recognition of the great importance of research on information integrity for democratic societies, the Common Research Framework will make a pivotal contribution to such research through:
- securing or setting up necessary technological infrastructure, comprising both hardware and software capacities, needed for advanced research on information integrity
- bridging gaps and silos in existing research efforts, to foster collaboration across communities, disciplines and borders
- expanding research capabilities, including through a targeted distribution of funds
- facilitating knowledge-sharing on how to use the regulatory tools that are at the disposal of researchers interested in studying online ecosystems.
The call targets stakeholders from research institutions, civil society, fact-checking, technology providers, and other interested stakeholders. It will fund one proposal with 6 million euros with a 100% funding rate over 24 to 30 months. At least 60% of the grant must be re-distributed via financial support to third parties. The deadline for applications is 1 of October 2026.
An online information session for interested parties will be held on 28 April.
Read more about the call for proposals and the Digital Europe Programme.