European innovation and funding consultancy since 1986

Zabala Innovation

European innovation
funding consultancy for ambitious organisations

Zabala Innovation helps companies, research organisations and public authorities identify, secure and manage European funding for innovation, sustainability and industrial transformation.

Explore EU funding programmes Talk to a European funding expert

670+

professionals

15

offices

10,000+

organisations supported

40

years

From funding opportunities to European impact

European funding requires more than preparing a proposal. Organisations need to identify the right opportunities, define a funding strategy, develop competitive projects and manage them successfully once funded.

Zabala Innovation provides specialised services across the entire funding lifecycle. They can be delivered individually or combined through a comprehensive support model adapted to each organisation’s funding pipeline and internal capabilities.

STRATEGY

HOME_funding-strategy

Funding strategy and opportunity monitoring

We assess your organisation's innovation priorities, projects and investment plans to identify and prioritise the most suitable European, national and regional funding opportunities. Our teams combine funding diagnosis, opportunity monitoring and strategic roadmaps to build a structured funding pipeline.

Innovation Consulting and Policy Support

Innovation consulting and policy support

We provide advisory services related to industrial competitiveness, sustainability, innovation strategy and public policy. Our experts contribute to studies, diagnostics, ecosystem analysis and strategic roadmaps supporting public and private organisations across European innovation ecosystems.

FUNDING & PROJECTS

proposal writing service

Proposal writing and consortium building

We develop competitive European proposals from strategy and narrative to consortium design and partner coordination. Our experts structure work packages, budgets and impact strategies, coordinating technical content and submission according to the requirements of each programme.

Project management and implementation

European project management and implementation

We provide full or modular support for EU-funded projects, covering project set-up, administrative, financial and technical coordination, consortium management, reporting and risk monitoring. Our teams can also support communication, dissemination, exploitation, impact and stakeholder engagement throughout implementation.

Services_NATIONAL-REGIONAL

National and regional funding expertise

In Spain, France and Portugal, we also support organisations with national and regional public funding and innovation tax incentives for R&D, investment, competitiveness and internationalisation projects.

ECOSYSTEM & GROWTH

Strategic positioning in European ecosystems

Strategic positioning in European ecosystems

We help organisations strengthen their positioning within European innovation ecosystems, strategic value chains and collaborative initiatives. Our approach combines stakeholder mapping and engagement, EU platform participation, partnership development and long-term positioning around relevant European priorities.

Secretariat management for European initiatives

Secretariat management for European initiatives

We provide strategic and operational secretariat support for European partnerships, platforms, associations and innovation ecosystems. Our teams coordinate governance bodies, stakeholders and working groups, while supporting meetings, events, communications and the day-to-day operation of European initiatives.

kaila service

AI-powered funding and innovation intelligence

Through Kaila, our AI-powered platform built on European funding and innovation data, organisations can monitor funding opportunities, identify potential partners and analyse innovation ecosystems and technology trends across Europe.

Looking for continuous funding support?

Our comprehensive service combines funding strategy, opportunity monitoring, proposal preparation and project support within a continuous model adapted to your organisation's innovation pipeline.

Talk to our funding experts

Proven European funding expertise

For nearly four decades, Zabala Innovation has supported organisations across Europe in securing public funding, managing collaborative projects and participating in strategic innovation initiatives.

Our experience combines proposal preparation, project implementation, ecosystem coordination and long-term European collaboration.



EU PROPOSALS SUBMITTED ANNUALLY
+20 European Programmes analysed
HORIZON EUROPE
HEU & other R&I programmes
+250
EU proposals
per year
To a wide variety of
EU programmes
40%
Success
rate
EU average: 13%
+600
Proposals
submitted
+1B€
Funding
obtained



INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES
Innovation Fund, CEF, EDF, etc.
INVOLVEMENT IN EU PROJECTS
+150
Proposals
submitted
+2.8B€
Funding
obtained
+131
EU projects as partner
or coordinator
+500
EU-funded projects
supported through Project Management
services 2021-2024

👉 Figures are based on Zabala Innovation’s internal reporting, including proposal submissions, approved funding results and European project portfolio data. Success rates refer to evaluated proposals in selected EU funding programmes and may vary by programme, topic and call.

Last updated: September 2026.

Find the right EU funding programme for your strategic objectives

EU programmes are designed around policy priorities, technology maturity and expected impact. We help you identify the right pathway and turn it into a competitive project.

Funding instruments supporting collaborative research, technology development and innovation deployment across European strategic priorities. These programmes typically support medium-to-high TRL projects involving international consortia, strong innovation capacity and measurable European impact.

Relevant for
Research centres · Universities · SMEs · Corporations

Typical project types
Collaborative R&D · Pilot projects · Technology validation · Demonstration activities

Funding maturity:

TRL 1-7

Key programmes

These instruments typically support projects involving international consortia, advanced research activities and medium-to-high TRL innovation initiatives.

EU funding supports collaborative defence R&D, the development of strategic technologies and stronger European defence capabilities.

These instruments help organisations develop next-generation defence technologies, strengthen cross-border industrial cooperation and contribute to Europe’s security, resilience and strategic autonomy.

Relevant for
Defence companies · SMEs · Research organisations · Technology providers · Industrial consortia

Typical project types
Defence R&D · Dual-use technologies · Cybersecurity · Advanced materials · Autonomous systems · Space and communications · Disruptive defence technologies

Funding maturity:

Research & development · Technology demonstration · Prototyping and testing · Pre-market development

Key programmes

EU funding supports industrial transformation, advanced manufacturing and the development and deployment of strategic technologies across European value chains.

These instruments help companies modernise production, scale innovative technologies and strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and technological capacity of European industry.

Relevant for
Industrial corporations · Manufacturing companies · SMEs · Technology providers · Research organisations · Industrial clusters

Typical project types
Advanced manufacturing · Industrial digitalisation · Robotics and automation · Semiconductors · Advanced materials · Process innovation · Clean manufacturing technologies

Funding maturity:

TRL 4–9 · Pilot and demonstration · Industrial scale-up · First-of-a-kind deployment

Key programmes

These programmes support high-impact industrial projects contributing to resilience, security and strategic European value chains

Funding instruments supporting industrial decarbonisation, clean technologies, energy transition and climate neutrality objectives. These programmes support industrial decarbonisation, clean energy deployment, environmental protection and the transition towards a climate-neutral and resource-efficient European economy.

Relevant for
Corporations · Industrial groups · Energy companies · Public authorities

Typical project types
Hydrogen · Batteries · CCUS · Renewable fuels · Energy infrastructure · Circular economy

Funding maturity:

TRL 6-9

Key programmes

These programmes support industrial decarbonisation, clean energy deployment, circular economy, climate resilience and the transition towards climate-neutral value chains.

Funding instruments supporting sustainable mobility, resilient transport systems, smart infrastructure and cross-border connectivity. zabala.eu

These programmes contribute to the development of efficient, low-carbon and interoperable European transport networks.

Relevant for
Transport operators · Infrastructure managers · Public authorities · Engineering companies · Mobility ecosystems

Typical project types
Rail innovation · Sustainable mobility · Alternative fuels infrastructure · Smart logistics · Hydrogen mobility · Transport digitalisation

Funding maturity:

TRL 6-9

Key programmes

These programmes contribute to sustainable transport systems, mobility innovation and cross-border infrastructure development.

Funding instruments accelerating Europe’s digital transition, technological capacity and secure connectivity. These programmes support digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence deployment, cybersecurity and advanced digital ecosystems.

Relevant for
Technology companies · SMEs · Corporations · Public authorities · Digital ecosystems

Typical project types
Artificial intelligence · Cybersecurity · Data spaces · Cloud infrastructure · Digital platforms · Semiconductors · Advanced connectivity

Funding maturity:

TRL 5-9

Key programmes

These instruments support cybersecurity, AI deployment, digital infrastructure and advanced technological capacities.

Funding instruments supporting healthcare innovation, biotechnology, medical research and public health resilience. These programmes foster collaborative health ecosystems and accelerate the development of innovative healthcare solutions.

Relevant for
Healthcare organisations · Biotech companies · Research centres · Universities · Public authorities

Typical project types
Medical technologies · Biotechnology · Personalised medicine · Health data · Diagnostics · Pharmaceutical innovation · Public health systems

Funding maturity:

TRL 1-9

Key programmes

These programmes support innovation in health technologies, preparedness and medical research.

Funding instruments supporting sustainable food systems, circular bioeconomy and agricultural innovation. These programmes promote resource efficiency, biotechnology applications and resilient agrifood value chains.

Relevant for
Agrifood companies · Cooperatives · Research organisations · Public authorities · Bioeconomy ecosystems

Typical project types
Sustainable agriculture · Circular bioeconomy · Food innovation · Biomaterials · Bioprocesses · Waste valorisation

Funding maturity:

TRL 3-8

Key programmes

Funding instruments supporting urban sustainability, climate-neutral cities and integrated territorial innovation. These programmes promote innovative urban solutions combining mobility, energy, digitalisation and citizen engagement.

Relevant for
Cities · Public authorities · Urban ecosystems · Mobility operators · Technology providers

Typical project types
Smart cities · Urban mobility · Climate-neutral cities · Urban digitalisation · Energy efficiency · Citizen participation

Funding maturity:

TRL 6-9

Key programmes

Funding instruments fostering skills development, education, mobility, cultural cooperation and knowledge exchange across Europe. These programmes strengthen European collaboration in education, creativity and talent development.

Relevant for
Universities · Educational institutions · Cultural organisations · Research centres · NGOs

Typical project types
Academic mobility · Skills development · Creative industries · Educational innovation · Cultural cooperation · Research careers

Key programmes

These instruments strengthen European cooperation in education, skills and creative sectors.

Funding instruments supporting territorial cohesion, regional innovation ecosystems and cross-border collaboration.

These programmes strengthen regional competitiveness and promote balanced economic development across Europe.

Relevant for
Regions · Public authorities · Development agencies · Clusters · Innovation ecosystems

Typical project types
Regional innovation strategies · Cross-border cooperation · Territorial development · Smart specialisation · Innovation ecosystems

Key programmes

  • Interreg Europe
  • European Urban Initiative (EUI)
  • Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)

These programmes support regional innovation ecosystems, territorial cooperation and economic development.

Supporting organisations across European innovation ecosystems

From opportunity identification to long-term innovation impact

Opportunity identification

Opportunity identification

We identify the most relevant EU, national and regional funding opportunities.

Strategic prioritisation

Strategic prioritisation

We assess fit, timing, eligibility, effort and expected impact.

Proposal design and consortium building

Proposal design and consortium building

We define the project structure, consortium, budget and impact strategy.

Submission and negotiation

Submission and negotiation

We coordinate the submission process and support grant agreement preparation.

Project implementation and management

Project implementation and management

Once funded, we support project set-up, consortium coordination, reporting, risk monitoring, reviews and other management needs throughout implementation.

Continuous optimisation and ecosystem growth

Continuous optimisation and ecosystem growth

We help organisations build long-term positioning and future funding pipelines.

Why organisations choose Zabala Innovation

  • Why organisations choose Zabala Innovation

    We connect funding strategy, proposal development, project management, innovation consulting and European positioning within a single approach.

  • Four decades of European experience

    Since 1986, we have supported organisations in navigating European innovation programmes, projects and ecosystems.

  • Multidisciplinary capabilities

    Our teams combine technical, financial, legal, administrative and strategic expertise for complex innovation and investment projects.

  • Expertise across programmes and sectors

    We combine programme knowledge with sector expertise across energy, defence, industry, mobility, digital technologies, health and other European priorities.

  • Flexible end-to-end support

    Organisations can work with Zabala throughout the funding lifecycle or access specialised support for specific needs and project phases.

  • Embedded in European ecosystems

    Our participation in European platforms, partnerships and strategic initiatives gives our teams first-hand knowledge of emerging priorities, stakeholders and innovation ecosystems.

Active across European innovation ecosystems

Beyond funding projects, Zabala Innovation coordinates and supports European technology platforms, partnerships and strategic initiatives across energy, industry, construction, bioeconomy and advanced manufacturing.

SET-IndEU · SET Plan · ISGAN · ETIP Hydropower · Batteries Europe · ETIP SNET · CBE JU · IAM-I

Explore EU platforms and initiatives
European innovation ecosystems

European innovation insights and funding intelligence

Our teams publish regular insights on European funding programmes, industrial policy, sustainability, innovation ecosystems and strategic European initiatives.

Publications and Guides

Download guides and documents to gain in-depth insight into news, legislation, programmes, and R&D&I trends.

Expert opinions

Gain deeper insight into current R&D&I developments through the views of our experts, who offer a different perspective.

Funding & Innovation Intelligence

Kaila combines AI-powered technology with Zabala Innovation’s expertise in European funding and innovation ecosystems.
Organisations can monitor funding opportunities, analyse innovation ecosystems, identify strategic partners, map technology trends and explore collaborative networks across Europe.

DISCOVER KAILA

Our team

A multidisciplinary team supporting every stage of innovation

Zabala Innovation brings together more than 670 professionals with expertise in European funding, innovation strategy, sustainability, industrial competitiveness and collaborative projects.
Our multidisciplinary teams combine programme knowledge with technical, financial, legal and administrative capabilities to support organisations throughout the funding and project lifecycle.

670+ professionals · 70+ PhDs and researchers · 40+ years in EU programmes · 15 offices across Europe · Multidisciplinary technical and strategic teams

 

Meet our team