CORE

PROGRAMME SUMMARY

CORE is the central programme of the FNR. A multi-annual thematic research programme, the prime objective of CORE is to strengthen the scientific quality of Luxembourg’s public research in the country’s research priorities. CORE projects should be innovative and of high scientific quality. All projects are peer reviewed by international reviewers.

New for 2026

1. Major changes to the previous call apply:  

1. Please note that the National Research Priorities will be complemented and updated by the Ministry of Research and Higher Education.

The revised document is expected for publication by the end of January 2026, superseding the current version from December 2019. The FNR will provide an official communication regarding its release in due course. All CORE projects are required to comply with the National Research Priorities. Topics currently falling in the remit of the NRP will remain eligible. 

1. 2. Application Pause:

Introduction of a one-year application pause for a PI after receiving a grant as PI within the CORE 2025 call; this counts for PIs only, not for Co-PIs. (i.e. a CORE 2025 granted PI cannot submit a project as PI within CORE 2026).  

1. 3. Limitation to one proposal per principal investigator (PI):

PI Rule: 

• A Principal Investigator (PI) can lead only one project per CORE call. 

• • • Applies to CORE and CORE international. 
    • New Limitation: If you received a CORE grant in 2025, you cannot apply as PI in 2026.

Exception to the above: 

• In case of Co-PI ship a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) can participate in up to two projects per call. 

• However: Co-PIs from Luxembourg cannot be part of CORE international or CORE junior proposals. 

Overall Participation: 

• Any applicant (as PI or Co-PI) can be involved in maximum two projects per call, while respecting the PI restriction above. 

CORE Junior Track (unchanged): 

• Only one application allowed per applicant in CORE junior. 

• CORE junior is not open to CORE international. 

• A CORE junior PI cannot be a Co-PI on another project. 

• No Co-PIs are allowed on CORE junior projects. 

4. Funding Range:  

The FNR requires that the requested CORE financial contribution falls within the funding range of €240,000 to €780,000 for a three-year project. Applicants must adhere to this funding range and, where applicable, apply a pro rata adjustment for projects with durations of less than 36 months. 

5. International collaborations (CORE International):  

• As of summer 2025, the FNR runs a Weave pilot call with Dutch Research Council (NWO) Domain Science (ENW), where both entities can act as lead-agency. Bilateral proposals can be either submitted to the NWO-ENW M1 call or to the FNR CORE call 2026.  

• The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ, Canada) will NOT join the CORE 2026 call. 

6. New collaboration with Fondation André et Henriette Losch: 

Beginning with the CORE 2026 call, the FNR and Fondation André et Henriette Losch will jointly fund research projects aligned with established priorities: Projects must specifically address rare childhood diseases, and must demonstrate clear translational potential for improving treatment or care of these conditions. 

DURATION

CORE projects have a lifespan of 2 – 3 years and funding is allocated on a competitive basis.

FUNDING SPECIFICS

• The FNR allocates a maximum financial contribution of 28 MEUR for the CORE 2026 Call. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Deadline for submissions is  21 April 2026, 14:00 CET.  
• Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants by end-October 2026. 
• First time CORE applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the FNR for additional guidance prior to submitting a research proposal. While the project description form is already available, please note that applications can only be created in the FNR online submission system from the end of January 2026 onwards. 

SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Find out more about International Cooperation opportunities

See also..