Social Sciences and Humanities Opportunities in Horizon Europe Pillar 2: Understanding the 2026-27 Work Programme
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About the workshop
The British Academy hosted a one-day workshop for UK-based social sciences and humanities (SSH) researchers seeking to engage with Horizon Europe Pillar 2 opportunities in the 2026-27 Work Programme.
Pillar 2 with calls across six clusters offers substantial opportunities for researchers in the social sciences and humanities, both through SSH-led calls and as an integral component of interdisciplinary projects.
This workshop brings together representatives from the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and wider stakeholders to help researchers and research offices understand where and how SSH expertise fits within the 2026-27 Work Programme, what makes proposals competitive, and how to navigate Horizon Europe effectively.
The event was designed to focus on orientation and insight, rather than matchmaking or proposal drafting.
The workshop was open to:
- UK-based researchers in social sciences and humanities disciplines
- Research development managers, EU funding advisors, and professional services staff supporting Horizon Europe engagement
Programme
The workshop ran from 09:30 to 17:00. The day included presentations from DG RTD on SSH opportunities across the 2026 and 2027 Pillar 2 calls, as well as panel discussions with experienced UK researchers and research managers sharing lessons from successful Pillar 2 applications, consortia building, and integrating SSH expertise effectively.
Panel Recordings
Panel One:
Social Sciences and Humanities Opportunities in Horizon Europe’s 2026 Pillar 2 Calls
Chair: Philip Lewis, Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement, The British Academy
Presentation from Henriette van Eijl, Deputy to the Director, Directorate D – People: Health & Society; Head of Unit D.3 – Health and Societal Transitions, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
Panel Two:
Lessons from successful UK participation in Pillar 2 in integrating the Social Sciences and Humanities
Chair: Philip Lewis, Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement, The British Academy Panellists:
Panel Three:
Insights from successful UK application building in Pillar 2
Chair: Branwen Hide, Research Development Manager (EU), Imperial College London Panellists:
Panel Four:
Social Sciences and Humanities Opportunities in Horizon Europe’s 2027 Pillar 2 Calls
Chair: Philip Lewis, Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement, The British Academy Presentation from Eva Gerhards, Deputy Head of Unit D.3 – Health and Societal Transitions, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
Panel Five:
Insights from successful UK consortia building in Pillar 2
Chair: Marie Adams, Head of Research and Partnership Development, University of Leicester
- Jill Jameson (Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Leadership & Enterprise, University of Greenwich)
- Rosi Song (Professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University)