Horizon Europe 9th framework programme of the European Union (EU) and is its main funding tool for research and innovation with a budget of 95.5€ billion spanning from 2021 to 2027. Through financing research and innovation projects, Horizon Europe tackles climate change, helps to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

The budget is divided amongst three main pillars that will support all the areas of research and innovation: excellent science, global challenges and industrial competitiveness, innovative Europe and widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area.

Managed and implemented by the European Commission, 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 the creation and better diffusion of excellent knowledge and technologies.

It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate. More information about eligible countries here.

New elements in Horizon Europe:

• European Innovation Council: Support for innovations with potential breakthrough and disruptive nature with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors. This is 70% of the budget earmarked for SMEs.
• Missions: Sets of measures to achieve bold, inspirational and measurable goals within a set timeframe. There are 5 main mission areas as part of Horizon Europe.
• Open science policy: Mandatory open access to publications and open science principles are applied throughout the programme Factsheet: Open science in Horizon Europe
• New approach to partnerships: Objective-driven and more ambitious partnerships with industry in support of EU policy objectives

Source: European Commission website