Business grants for the creative industries
Programmes aimed specifically at this sector, followed by those open to every sector.
For this sector
- Open
New Ventures in Creative Tech (Spark)
EIT Culture & Creativity offers up to €30,000 per team plus a nine-month venture-creation programme for early-stage founders. The first cohort focuses on tech-centric ventures in Materials & Built Environment (fashion, architecture, advanced and circular materials). It includes an in-person bootcamp in a European city, plus online coaching, mentoring and workshops.
Grant, All of Greece
Up to €30,000
Closes 16 November 2026
- Open
Partnerships of Ionian Islands Region Businesses with Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organisations
The action funds collaborative research projects (industrial research and experimental development) between businesses with a seat or branch in the Ionian Islands and research organisations, in priority fields such as tourism-culture, agri-food and environment-circular economy. The grant-funded budget per project ranges from €50,000 to €400,000 and applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE. The 2nd amendment extends the submission deadline to 20/11/2026, 15:00.
Grant, Ionian Islands
Up to €400,000
25–80% funded
Closes 20 November 2026
- Open
Support for new innovative businesses in the Region of Crete - Innovating in Crete
The action funds the creation and support of new innovative very small and small businesses in Crete, including startups and spin-offs. The grant covers 75% of a subsidised budget of €30,000 to €150,000. Applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE from 29/9/2026 to 30/11/2026 at 15:00.
Grant, Crete
Up to €150,000
75% funded
Closes 30 November 2026
- Open
European slate development
The call supports independent European production companies in developing a slate of 3 to 5 audiovisual works (fiction, animation, creative documentary). A short film by an emerging talent may optionally be added. The aim is for the works to circulate across Europe and beyond.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 1 December 2026
- Open
Support for cooperation between businesses and research bodies in the priority sectors of the South Aegean Region
The action funds research, development and innovation projects by small, very small and medium-sized enterprises in South Aegean, alone or in cooperation with research bodies. Projects must link to the region's priority sectors: experiential tourism, agrifood, fisheries and aquaculture, and renewable energy. The budget is €2,000,000, aid intensity 35%–80%, and applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE from 9/10/2026 to 11/12/2026.
Grant, South Aegean
35–80% funded
Closes 11 December 2026
- Open
Innovative tools and business models
This European Commission action supports the development and spread of innovative tools and business models for the European audiovisual industry (including videogames). It aims to improve the visibility, availability and competitiveness of European works, help the industry adapt to AI, and advance its greening. It does not cover hardware development (e.g. cameras, virtual headsets).
Grant,
80% funded
Closes 14 January 2027
- Open
European video games and immersive content
The programme supports the development of video games and interactive immersive experiences (XR) with original content and the potential to reach global audiences. It targets European video game producers, XR studios and audiovisual production companies. Applications are open until 2 February 2027; funding amounts are not stated on the page.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 2 February 2027
- Open
TV and online content – Animation projects
This European Commission (MEDIA) action supports audiovisual producers developing and producing animation (as well as drama and documentary) for linear and non-linear broadcasting, e.g. TV and streaming platforms. It emphasises cooperation and co-production between operators from different MEDIA countries and projects with high creative value and international distribution potential. There are two deadlines: 10 Feb 2027 and 15 Sep 2027. Amounts, aid intensity and detailed eligibility are not given on the page.
Grant,
Closes 10 February 2027
- Open
TV and online content – Documentary projects
The Creative Europe MEDIA call supports works (drama, animation and documentary) for linear and non-linear broadcasting, including digital platforms. It aims to strengthen independent producers and co-productions between operators from different MEDIA countries. There are two deadlines: 10 February 2027 and 15 September 2027. Funding amounts and detailed eligibility are not given in the page text.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 10 February 2027
- Open
Audience Development and Film Education
A Creative Europe MEDIA call for pan-European cooperation projects that bring audiences, especially young people, closer to European films and audiovisual works. It covers audience-oriented events and innovative or cross-border film education initiatives. The deadline is 2 March 2027; budget and funding rate are not stated in the available page text.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 2 March 2027
- Open
European co-development
The action supports cooperation among European production companies co-developing a single audiovisual project (animation, creative documentary or fiction) with strong international audience potential. The project must be co-developed by at least two European independent production companies with a signed co-development agreement. The deadline is 2 March 2027; funding amounts are not stated on the page text.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 2 March 2027
- Open
Films on the Move
The programme supports wider distribution of recent non-national European films. It funds pan-European theatrical and/or online distribution campaigns coordinated by the film's sales agent. Amounts, aid rates and detailed eligibility are not given on the page and must be checked in the official call.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 16 July 2027
- Open
TV and online content – Fiction projects (Creative Europe – MEDIA)
The programme supports European audiovisual producers of drama, animation and documentary works for linear and non-linear broadcasting, including digital platforms. It stresses cooperation between operators from different MEDIA countries and international co-productions. Funding amounts and detailed eligibility are not given in the page text that was read.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 16 September 2027
- Upcoming
European Film Distribution
A European Commission CREA-MEDIA programme supporting the transnational distribution of recent non-national European films. Each company generates a potential fund based on its performance on the European market and must reinvest it in co-production, acquisition of distribution rights and promotion of eligible films. The deadline is 8 April 2027; budget, amounts and eligibility conditions are not given on the page.
Grant, All of Greece
Opens 3 December 2026
- Upcoming
European Film Sales Agent
A European Commission call supporting the transnational distribution of recent non-national European films. A potential fund is first generated based on the company's market performance, then reinvested in minimum guarantees or advances for international sales rights and in promotion, marketing and advertising of eligible films. The call is forthcoming, with a deadline of 17 June 2027.
Grant,
Opens 29 April 2027
Recently closed
- Closed
Support for entrepreneurship in the priority sectors of the South Aegean Region
A grant for existing micro, small and medium enterprises in the South Aegean active in the regional smart specialisation (RIS3) sectors: experience tourism, agrifood, fisheries and aquaculture, and renewable energy. It funds modernisation of production infrastructure and processes and export orientation. Public funding covers 60% of the subsidised budget, which ranges from €30,000 to €400,000. The submission period has closed (30/10/2026).
Grant, South Aegean
60% funded
Closed 30 October 2026
- Closed
Epicheiro Sterea – Grants for existing SMEs in Sterea Ellada
The programme subsidises investment plans of existing very small, small and medium enterprises in Sterea Ellada (Central Greece). Plans must be linked to one sector of the National Smart Specialisation Strategy. The subsidised budget is €30,000–400,000 under de minimis or €200,000–800,000 under the GBER. Public aid is 70–75% under de minimis and 40–60% under the GBER, depending on the expense and firm size. The submission deadline was extended to 30/10/2026 and the call is shown as expired.
Grant, Central Greece
40–75% funded
Closed 30 October 2026
Open to every sector
- Open
Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) – Strand 2a
A European Commission (ERDF) instrument supporting consortia of innovation actors from different EU regions to bring mature innovations (TRL 6 to TRL 9) to market. It focuses on integrating less developed and transition regions into European value chains. Support may be financial and/or non-financial (coaching, mentoring, matchmaking), under the thematic priorities of digital transition, green transition and smart manufacturing.
Grant,
Closes 12 November 2026
- Open
2027 European Prize for Women Innovators
A European prize contest run by the EIT and the EIC for women who build innovative businesses. There are three categories (Women Innovators, Rising Innovators, EIT Women Leadership) with cash prizes from €20,000 to €100,000. Applications go through the Funding & Tenders portal from 2 September to 1 December 2026.
Grant, All of Greece
Up to €100,000
Closes 1 December 2026
- Open
European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot
The call funds two networks of around 10–18 startup and scaleup hubs across Europe, built on leading universities and research organisations. The hubs collaborate across borders to give deep tech startups access to infrastructure, talent, investors and wider markets. Applications are submitted by consortia, with an indicative project duration of two years.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 5 January 2027
- Open
Catalyse NEB 2027 Open Call
Catalyse NEB is the EIT Community New European Bauhaus accelerator for startups integrating sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion into their businesses, products and services. It will support 20 startups addressing community needs in climate, food or urban mobility. Each selected startup receives a €22,000 grant and tailored business support.
Grant, All of Greece
Up to €22,000
Closes 15 January 2027
- Open
European network for upscaling venture builders' roles in research performing organisations (CSA)
A Horizon Europe call supporting universities, research and technology organisations and research infrastructures to upscale or create venture builder roles that turn research into start-ups. It aims to increase commercialisation of research results (lab to market), with a gender-sensitive approach addressing barriers faced by women innovators and entrepreneurs. The deadline is 2 February 2027; budget and funding rates are not given in the available text.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 2 February 2027
- Open
Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs (CSA)
The action will develop and test pilot multi-site access schemes to Technology Infrastructures (e.g. advanced materials, clean energy, health and biotech) for startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs, with simplified, standardised access conditions across the EU. It is a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action submitted by consortia, not a direct grant to an individual business.
Grant, All of Greece
Closes 3 February 2027
- Open until funds run out
National co-financing of approved projects of the European HORIZON actions: JU-CHIPS-2024 and HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2024 calls
The action provides grants covering the Greek share of research and development projects already approved by the European Chips JU and EuroHPC joint undertakings under Horizon Europe. It is aimed at Greek businesses and research organisations that are partners in these projects. The budget is €8.7 million; submission opens on 16 September 2026 and the call stays open until the budget is exhausted.
Grant, All of Greece
100% funded
No fixed deadline
- Open until funds run out
Participation in the European Co-funded Research and Innovation Partnerships of Horizon Europe
The action grants funding to Greek businesses and research organisations that have been selected for transnational research projects of Horizon Europe co-funded European partnerships. National funding covers industrial research and experimental development, with maximum aid intensity of up to 70% for businesses and up to 100% for research organisations. Applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE from 1 July 2026 and the call stays open until the €18,000,000 budget is exhausted.
Grant, All of Greece
100% funded
No fixed deadline
- Upcoming
Support for businesses in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace for research and innovation (Action RSO1.1.a) – 2nd Call
The action grants funding to existing very small, small and medium enterprises in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace for industrial research and experimental development projects in RIS3 priorities (transport, environment, tourism-culture, health-pharma). Each project's subsidised budget is €100,000–€300,000 and aid intensity ranges from 35% to 80% depending on research type and firm size. Applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE from 16-12-2026 to 02-03-2027 and are evaluated comparatively.
Grant, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Up to €300,000
35–80% funded
Opens 16 December 2026
- Upcoming
European Partnership on Innovative SMEs – Eurostars-3 joint transnational call (CALL 12)
Eurostars funds international collaborative R&D and innovation projects led by an innovative SME. The consortium needs at least two independent entities from two Eurostars countries and a duration of up to 36 months. Funding amounts and rules are set by each country's national funding body.
Grant, All of Greece
Opens 17 December 2026
- Upcoming
Accelerating uptake through open proposals for advanced SME innovation
A Horizon Europe call for collaborative projects that bring mature civil security technology solutions closer to the market. It targets innovative SMEs working with research organisations, large industrial players and security end-users. Projects last up to 2 years and aim for TRL 6-8.
Grant, All of Greece
Opens 5 May 2027
- Upcoming
EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening
The call funds early-stage deep-tech startups in Widening countries through grants to mature their technology (from TRL 4 to TRL 5/6) and become ready for investment or the EIC Accelerator. The grant is a lump sum of EUR 500,000–1,000,000 for up to 2 years, covering up to 70% of eligible costs. Successful applicants get free access to EIC Business Acceleration Services (coaching, events).
Grant,
Up to €1,000,000
70% funded
Opens 5 May 2027
- Upcoming
Enhancing the involvement of philanthropic organisations in innovation ecosystems
The call funds consortia that bring universities or research organisations together with philanthropic foundations to help research reach the market. Activities may include test environments (living labs), accelerators and spin-offs that secure venture funding. Projects are expected to last one to three years. The call is currently forthcoming and the page does not state the budget or funding amounts.
Grant, All of Greece
Opens 1 June 2027
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