Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is a new framework program for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027 and is a successor to the previous framework programme Horizon 2020. It is designed to provide assistance to researchers and top innovators to develop and implement their ideas. In addition, the program provides support and development of excellence in science by bringing together the best talents and providing quality infrastructure.

With a budget of €95.5 billion, the programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies, creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimizes investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

The Horizon Europe Framework Program is based on three pillars:

• Excellence in science
• Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness
• Innovative Europe

The Excellent Science pillar supports frontier research projects designed and driven by researchers through the European Research Council (ERC). It also funds fellowships and mobility of researchers through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and invests in world-class Research Infrastructures.

The Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness pillar supports research into societal challenges, reinforces technological and industrial capacities, and sets EU-wide missions with ambitious goals to tackle some of our biggest problems. It will also support partnerships with Member States, industry and other stakeholders to work jointly on research and innovation. It includes activities of the Joint Research Centre, which supports EU and national policymakers with independent scientific evidence and technical support.

The Innovative Europe pillar aims to make Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation and SME growth through the European Innovation Council. The pillar also supports the overall development of the European innovation landscape. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) fosters the integration of business, research, higher education and entrepreneurship.

Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA) provides support to EU Member States and Widening Countries in their efforts to maximize their national research and innovation potential and promote a European Research Area where researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely.