Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe. It is the European Union's key funding programme for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of €95.5 billion. As the successor to Horizon 2020, it aims to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases, boost industrial competitiveness, and implement the Sustainable Development Goals. The programme is centrally managed by the European Commission and involves thousands of participants from across Europe and associated countries.

Overview

The programme was formally established under Regulation (EU) 2021/695 and is a central component of the EU's policy to create a European Research Area. Its strategic direction is closely aligned with the political priorities of the European Commission, such as the European Green Deal and a Europe fit for the Digital Age. Key objectives include tackling climate change, supporting the United Nations' sustainability agenda, and fostering recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme seeks to drive scientific excellence through instruments like the European Research Council and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Structure and Pillars

The programme is built around three main pillars. Pillar I, **Excellent Science**, funds frontier research through the European Research Council and supports the training of researchers via Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. It also invests in world-class research infrastructures such as CERN and the European Spallation Source. Pillar II, **Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness**, is the largest and funds collaborative research in thematic clusters like Health, Digital, Industry and Space, Climate, Energy and Mobility, and Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. This pillar also includes the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's science and knowledge service. Pillar III, **Innovative Europe**, aims to make the EU a leader in market-creating innovation through the newly established European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Budget and Funding

With a financial envelope of €95.5 billion for the 2021-2027 period, the programme represents a significant increase over its predecessor, Horizon 2020. This budget is part of the broader Multiannual Financial Framework and is supplemented by NextGenerationEU, the EU's recovery instrument. Funding is allocated through a combination of grants, prizes, and procurement, with the majority directed towards Pillar II. Specific missions, such as those on Cancer or Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, receive targeted funding. Association agreements allow countries like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Israel to participate and access funds.

Participation and Management

Participation is open to legal entities from European Union member states and associated countries. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation oversees the programme's implementation, with daily management often delegated to executive agencies like the European Research Executive Agency. Proposals are evaluated through rigorous peer review processes. Major stakeholders include universities like ETH Zurich, research organisations such as the Max Planck Society, industrial partners like Siemens and ASML, and small and medium-sized enterprises across the continent. The programme also fosters international cooperation with partners like the United States and Japan.

Impact and Criticisms

The programme is designed to have a major impact on the EU's scientific landscape, economic growth, and societal challenges. It is expected to generate breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology. However, it has faced criticisms, including over its complex bureaucracy and administrative burden, often compared unfavorably to simpler national schemes like those of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Concerns have also been raised about the delays in finalizing association agreements with key partners like the United Kingdom post-Brexit, and about the balance of funding between member states, with older states like France and Germany historically receiving a larger share than newer ones in Central and Eastern Europe.

Category:European Union programmes Category:Research and development in the European Union