Horizon Europe Framework Programme

The budget includes €5.4 billion (current prices) from NextGenerationEU to boost the European recovery and make the EU more resilient for the future, as well as an additional reinforcement of €4.5 billion (current prices). It represents a 30% increase vis-à-vis Horizon 2020 (for EU27 and in constant prices) and makes it the most ambitious research and innovation programme in the world.

It is expected to be ‘the main tool to strengthen our scientific and technological base, develop solutions for healthier living, drive digital transformation and fight climate change, for our collective resilience’ as highlighted by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel.

 The key goals

• to strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological bases
• to boost Europe’s innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs
• to deliver on citizens’ priorities and sustain our socio-economic model and values

A novelty, the EU missions, an integral part of Horizon Europe 

These missions are commitments to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our world like fighting cancer, adapting to climate change, protecting our oceans, living in greener cities and ensuring soil health and food. They will contribute to the goals of the European Green Deal, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

They are an integral part of the Horizon Europe framework programme beginning in 2021. Each mission will operate as a portfolio of actions – such as research projects, policy measures or even legislative initiatives – to achieve a measurable goal that could not be achieved through individual actions.

Association of third countries to Horizon Europe

The Commission started engaging in association discussions with third countries interested in being associated to Horizon Europe as follows:

• The re–association of Norway and Iceland was confirmed
• Negotiations were concluded with all six Western
  Balkan partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro,
  Serbia) and with Turkey, as well as with four Eastern Partners: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and
  Armenia.
• Final exchanges are ongoing with Israel, Tunisia and official negotiations with Morocco
  will start in October.

More on the association of third countries here as of 23 September 2021.

Calls timeline

• The first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan (2021-2024) has been adopted by the MEPs on 27 April 2021. More here.
• The Commission has adopted on 16 June 2021 the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. More here.
• The first calls for proposals have opened on the Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal on 22 June.