EU Horizon 2020

EU Horizon 2020 is the biggest European Union research and innovation program, launched by the European Commission in 2014, with the aim of securing Europe's global competitiveness and creating European Research Area. The program is a key component of the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative, and is closely linked to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and the European Research Council. The program's development was influenced by the Lisbon Strategy and the Barroso Commission, and it has been supported by European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Introduction to EU Horizon 2020

The program was established to address major European Union challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, and public health, and to support the development of key enabling technologies like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The program's structure and priorities were shaped by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the European Council, the European Parliament, and other European Union institutions, such as the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The program has been compared to other international research initiatives, such as the United States' National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and has been influenced by the work of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Council for Science.

Objectives and Priorities

The main objectives of the program are to strengthen the European Union's science base, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and address major societal challenges, such as health, demographic change, and well-being, as well as food security, sustainable agriculture, and bioeconomy. The program's priorities were set in consultation with the European University Institute, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations, and other stakeholders, including the European Trade Union Confederation and the European Employers' Association. The program has been aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and has been influenced by the work of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Funding and Budget

The program has a budget of nearly €80 billion, which is allocated to different areas, such as excellent science, industrial leadership, and societal challenges, and is managed by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, in collaboration with other European Union institutions, such as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The program's funding has been supplemented by contributions from European Union member states, such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as from international partners, such as the United States, China, and Japan. The program has been compared to other major research initiatives, such as the Human Brain Project and the Graphene Flagship, and has been influenced by the work of CERN and the European Space Agency.

Participation and Eligibility

The program is open to participation from European Union member states, as well as from countries associated with the program, such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, and from international partners, such as Canada, Australia, and South Korea. The program's eligibility criteria are set by the European Commission, in consultation with the European University Institute and other stakeholders, including the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations and the European Trade Union Confederation. The program has been influenced by the work of international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Council for Science, and has been compared to other international research initiatives, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Research and Innovation Areas

The program supports research and innovation in a wide range of areas, including information and communication technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and advanced materials, as well as energy, transport, and environment. The program's research and innovation areas are aligned with the European Union's key enabling technologies and societal challenges, and are influenced by the work of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. The program has been compared to other major research initiatives, such as the Human Brain Project and the Graphene Flagship, and has been influenced by the work of CERN and the European Space Agency, as well as by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and the European Research Council. The program's research and innovation areas are also closely linked to the European Union's Innovation Union and Europe 2020 strategies, and are supported by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and other European Union institutions, such as the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.