Horizon Europe is the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the 2021-2027 period. With a budget of €95.5 billion for this seven-year period, it is designed with an investment mentality, rather than as purely a funding instrument.
Horizon Europe has a structure based on three pillars:
- Pillar 1, Excellent Science, which, through the European Research Council (ERC), funds research projects at the frontier of knowledge designed and led by researchers. It also supports the professional development and training of research personnel through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie programme (MSCA), and invests in improving and optimising transnational access to global research infrastructure.
- Pillar 2, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, funds research in social challenges, strengthens industrial technological capacities and establishes missions with ambitious targets focused on major global challenges. It also supports the creation of European Associations with Member States and industry to work jointly on R&I. It includes the Joint Research Centre (JRC), which assists the EU and national governments in their decision-making.
- Pillar 3, Innovative Europe, aims to make Europe a pioneer in market creation innovation and the growth of innovative SMEs through the European Innovation Council (EIC).
These three pillars are based on a horizontal programme, expanding participation and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA), dedicated to helping EU Member States in their efforts to develop their national research and innovation potential, particularly States with lower R&I performance to improve their participation in Horizon Europe.
The Participation Guide provides general information on the programme, as well as the entire participation process, from identifying an opportunity to participate to preparing and submitting a proposal; including the implementation, development, monitoring and completion of projects, the evaluation of proposals and the preparation and signing of the project grant agreement with the European Commission.
Any legal entity, be it a company, university, research centre, association, public administration or any other type of organisation that wants to develop an R&D&I project the content of which is adapted to the conditions, lines and priorities established in the work programme or the calls for proposals, may participate in the actions of the Horizon Europe programme.