LEAP-SE 2026 Call for Proposals – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs in Sustainable Energy

LEAP-SE 2026 Call for Proposals funding opportunity is a major international research and innovation grant under the Long-Term Joint EU–AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy programme.

It invites organisations from Africa and Europe to form transcontinental consortia that will advance sustainable energy research, technology development and implementation with practical, real-world impact.

This programme is co-funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe alongside national research and innovation agencies in participating African and European countries.

The call launches on 19 November 2025, and the mandatory pre-proposal deadline is 5 February 2026 (16:00 CET). Projects selected at the pre-proposal stage will be invited to submit full proposals by 24 June 2026.

This article explains the LEAP-SE 2026 funding opportunity, who may participate, what activities are supported, and how African NGOs and partners can engage.

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Overview of LEAP-SE 2026 Funding

The LEAP-SE 2026 Call for Proposals forms part of a six-year EU–Africa partnership designed to strengthen collaborative research and innovation on sustainable energy.

It builds on previous programmes such as LEAP-RE and operates within the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE) framework of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation.

The purpose of the funding opportunity is to support transnational R&I projects that address energy challenges in both continents. These projects must not only advance scientific knowledge, but also demonstrate clear paths to implementation, capacity building, and societal benefit.

The LEAP-SE programme places particular emphasis on multi-stakeholder collaboration and balanced consortia comprising research institutions, non-profits, SMEs, and private sector partners from both continents.

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Key Grant Details

Element	Details
Grant Name	LEAP-SE 2026 Call for Proposals
Programme	Long-Term Joint EU–AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy
Funders	European Commission (Horizon Europe) & participating national agencies
Indicative Call Budget	Approx. €13M (+ €3.5M EC contribution)
Project Funding Ceiling	Up to €1.5 million per consortium
Project Duration	12–36 months
Regions	African Union Member States & EU Member States / Horizon Europe associated countries
Application Type	Two-stage competitive call
Call Publication Date	19 November 2025
Pre-proposal Deadline (Stage 1)	5 February 2026 (16:00 CET)
Full Proposal Deadline (Stage 2)	24 June 2026 (16:00 CEST)
Final Funding Decisions	Mid-November 2026
Project Start Window	By 1 April 2027

 

Each participating funding agency applies its own rules regarding eligible costs, maximum funding per partner, and application requirements. This means that budget ceilings like the €1.5M per consortium may be adapted at country level.

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Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible Organisation Types

The LEAP-SE 2026 funding opportunity welcomes a broad range of legal entities, including:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• Universities and higher education institutions
• Public research centres and institutes
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Large private sector companies
• Other legally independent entities engaged in research and innovation or implementation activities

African NGOs should be legally registered in their home country and capable of participating in transnational research consortia.

Mandatory Consortium Composition

To be eligible for funding, each consortium must include:

• At least four independent legal entities
• At least two partners from different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries
• At least two partners from different African Union Member States
• At least one partner from the institutional research sector (such as a university or public research centre)
• At least one partner from the private sector (commercial company)

These rules ensure multinational and multi-sector collaboration across research and innovation ecosystems.

Organisations from countries not directly participating in the call may still take part, but their access to funding may be limited and subject to national rules.

What the LEAP-SE 2026 Call Supports

The funding opportunity addresses sustainable energy innovation across seven multi-annual roadmaps (MARs) that represent priority thematic areas for EU–AU collaboration:

1. Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources and integration into sustainable energy systems
2. End-of-life and second-life management of renewable energy components
3. Smart stand-alone systems for rural and remote electrification
4. Smart grids for off-grid and grid-integrated systems
5. Processes and appliances for productive uses (including agriculture, mobility, industry)
6. Innovative solutions for domestic uses (such as clean cooking and cold-chain technologies)
7. Production and utilisation of green hydrogen technologies

Types of Activities Supported

The call funds projects that may include:

• Basic, applied and experimental research
• Technology development and innovation pilots
• System design and optimisation studies
• Field demonstrations and validation
• Policy, economic and sustainability assessments
• Cross-regional capacity building and knowledge exchange

Projects should align with one or more selected MARs and demonstrate clear, evidence-based pathways to implementation and impact.

Applicants should be aware that each participating national funding agency may impose additional thematic or technical priorities.

How to Apply

Application Stages

1. Stage 1 – Pre-Proposal (Mandatory):
   • Submit a concise pre-proposal via the official EPSS
   • Pre-proposals are evaluated jointly by experts according to excellence, impact and implementation criteria
   • Only successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals
2. Stage 2 – Full Proposal (Invitation Only):
   • Invited applicants submit a detailed full proposal with work plan, budget and implementation strategy

Authoritative Application Link

Applicants must consult the official call text and submission portal:

Official LEAP-SE 2026 Call on LEAP-RE website:
https://www.leap-re.eu/leap-se-call-2026/

All call templates, detailed rules, and country annexes are available for download from the official site.

Important Notes for Applicants

• The LEAP-SE 2026 funding opportunity is highly competitive and interdisciplinary.
• Deadline compliance is strict; submissions after the stated times will not be accepted.
• Costs eligible for funding and ceilings may vary by national funding agency.
• Project partners must satisfy both international consortium rules and their own national eligibility criteria.
• Calls under Horizon Europe like this one emphasise scientific excellence, impact, implementation quality and cross-continental partnership.

This page summarises verified information but does not guarantee funding success or replace the official documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is LEAP-SE 2026 open to African NGOs?
Yes. African NGOs may participate as consortium partners if they are legally registered and part of a consortium that meets the call’s eligibility and composition rules.

Can an NGO act as the lead applicant?
Potentially, yes — if the NGO meets eligibility requirements in its own country and all consortium composition rules. Local/national funding rules may still influence lead partner roles.

Does LEAP-SE fund individual NGO projects?
No. Projects must be submitted by multinational consortia and meet the co-funding and partnership requirements.

What are the deadlines for LEAP-SE 2026 submissions?

• Pre-proposal: 5 February 2026 (16:00 CET)
• Full proposal (by invitation): 24 June 2026 (16:00 CEST)

Conclusion

The LEAP-SE 2026 Call for Proposals funding opportunity offers African NGOs a strategic pathway to participate in high-impact, collaborative research and innovation efforts that address sustainable energy challenges. With deadlines approaching and complex consortium requirements, interested organisations should begin discussions early and consult all official call materials.

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