HORIZON EUROPE 2021–2027
The EU's funding program for research and innovation
On June 15, 2021, the official starting signal was given for the new EU research framework programme Horizon Europe, which, as the successor to Horizon 2020, will cover the entire chain from basic research to innovation to the market with a volume of almost 100 billion euros in the period 2021 to 2027. Horizon Europe aims to make Europe greener and more digital, as well as more innovative, resilient and participatory.
The programme includes:
- (Open-topic) individual funding (Pillar 1) for researchers at all levels of experience, e.g. ERC-Starting Grants and Marie-Curie-Skłodowska-Research Fellowships for early-career researchers
- (Topic-bound) collaborative research (Pillars 2 & 3) for experienced researchers.
The Research Service provides advice and support on questions related to application and project implementation.
♦ Second strategic plan for Horizon Europe published:
The European Commission presented the second strategic plan for the last three years of the Horizon Europe programme (2025-2027). It sets out the following three key strategic orientations:
- Green transition
- Digital transition
- A more resilient, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe
These key strategic orientations are the guiding principles for Horizon Europe’s upcoming work programmes and proposal calls until 2027. Further information can be found here.
♦ Amendment to the 2023-2024 work programme:
An updated version of the current main work programme for Horizon Europe was also published by the EU Commission in April 2024: It contains adapted information for the 2024 calls for proposals and already includes some new information for 2025. The document’s name has been changed accordingly to "Work Programme 2023-2025". New features include updated work programme sections on the EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus. The current version also includes updated submission deadlines for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in Pillar 1 for 2024 and 2025. For more information click here.
♦ Canada and Republic of Korea join Horizon Europe:
After the association agreement on New Zealand's accession to Horizon Europe was signed in summer 2023, the association of the second country that is not in geographical proximity to Europe has become effective in July 2024: Researchers and organisations from Canada can now participate under Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe on equal terms with institutions from EU member states. At the end of March 2024, the European Commission furthermore announced that the association agreement with the Republic of Korea will be signed in the second half of this year.
- Further information on the association of Canada can be found here.
- The press release on South Korea's association can be found here.
- Current information on the association status of other third countries can be found on the EU Commission's website.
♦ Hungary: Eligibility of some universities and institutions for Horizon Europe restricted:
As of December 15, 2022, due to Hungary's violations of the fundamental principle of the rule of law, it is no longer possible to conclude Horizon Europe grant agreements with institutions covered by the Academia Act adopted in 2019 or administered through the foundation model established above it. This includes 21 higher education institutions that are now ineligible for Horizon Europe grants. For more information, click here.
♦ The following pages provide detailed information on individual and collaborative research in the EU funding programme Horizon Europe:
- European Commission (here)
- Online guide to the Funding and Tender Portal, from proposal preparation and submission to reporting on your ongoing project (here)
- "Funding and Tender Portal" for calls for proposals (here)
- European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) (here)
- Portal of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (here) (German only)
- National Contact Points (NKS) (here) (German only)
♦ National and regional measures for proposal support can be found on the following sites:
On the websites of the EU Office (BMBF) (German only) and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KOWI) you will find a comprehensive calendar of events with information and training opportunities.
Selected events
♦ Online event series of the NCP CEM on Cluster 5 in Horizon Europe:
In the introductory event of the series “What next? – Ihre Fördermöglichkeiten in Cluster 5” (“Your funding opportunities in Cluster 5”), the National Contact Point Climate, Energy, Mobility (NCP CEM) will present the special features of Cluster 5: “Climate, Energy and Mobility”. The five further events will each focus on the new topics for the 2025 call for proposals:
21 January 2025, 10 am: Introductory event – Cluster 5 in Horizon Europe
21 January 2025, 1:30 pm: Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all modes of transport
23 January 2025, 10 am: Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy
23 January 2025, 1:30 pm: Destination 6 – Safe, resilient transport means and smart mobility services for passengers and goods
28 January 2025, 10 am: Destination 2 – Cross-sectoral solutions for climate change
29 January 2025, 10 am: Destination 1 – Climate science and actionFurther information and the registration form can be found here.
♦ Online event “Europäische Kooperationsprojekte beantragen” (“Applying for European Cooperation Projects”):
- On 23 January 2025 from 10 am to 12 noon, the event on Zoom will provide insights into the new application round in the funding area of European cooperation projects (deadline expected to be mid-May 2025). The event will cover the latest developments in the current call for proposals and discuss questions regarding the application process, the project description and the budget form. It is organised in cooperation of the Creative Europe Desks KULTUR from Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria and Germany. Registration is open until 22 January 2025, 12 noon.
♦ Cluster 2: “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” at “Frag die NKS!” (Ask the NCP!):
- In the next event of the online series “Horizont Europa? Frag die NKS! – Offener Austausch am Mittag” (Horizon Europe? Ask the NCP! – Open exchange at noon) on 30 January 2025 from 1 to 2:30 pm, the National Contact Point Society will provide an introduction to Horizon Europe. The focus lies on the questions: what are the most important features of the framework programme, how is it structured and who can participate? In addition, Cluster 2: “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” will be examined, which is primarily aimed at the social sciences and humanities. Registration is open until 28 January 2025.
- "Smart4Policy": EU tool for self-reflection on own strengths in the field of science-for-policy (to the questionnaire)
- European Commission: Horizon Europe Mission-Videos (here)
- European Commission: Webinar – How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (Part 1, Part 2)
- European Commission: Webinar – How to evaluate Social Sciences and Humanities in Horizon Europe proposals (here)
- Intro-Video: Looking to finance a project or do business with the EU? (here)
- ERC Executive Agency: Video-Serie – ERC Classes (here)
- ERC Executive Agency: Video-Serie – ERC Research Funding Playlist (here)
- European REA: Common mistakes to avoid when applying for Horizon Europe funding (here)
X / Twitter
- Horizon Europe @HorizonEU
- Horizon Europe NCP Portal @HE_NCP_Portal
- EU Science & Innovation @EUScienceInnov
To all other channels go here