Horizon Europe structure and the first calls
Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation framework programme running from 2021-2027.
The EU institutions reached a political agreement on Horizon Europe on 11 December 2020 and set the budget for Horizon Europe at €95.5 billion in current prices (including €5.4 billion from the Next Generation of the EU – Recovery Fund). On this basis, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU proceed towards the adoption of the legal acts.
The first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan (2021-2024) which sets out key strategic orientations for the support of research and innovation, was adopted on 15 March 2021.
The work programme for the European Research Council (ERC) was adopted on 22 February 2021. The work programme for the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the main work programme dedicated to COVID-19 variants will be adopted in March; the complete main work programme is expected to be adopted in April.
The first calls will open following the adoption of the work programme each time.
Presentation outlining Horizon Europe in 23 languages.
Structure of Horizon Europe
The development process
In 2018 the Commission proposed an ambitious €100 billion research and innovation programme - Horizon Europe - to succeed Horizon 2020: read about the proposals and what shaped them
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached in March and April 2019 a provisional agreement on Horizon Europe. The European Parliament endorsed the provisional agreement on 17 April 2019.
Strategic planning and the first strategic plan (2021-2024)
The strategic planning process focuses in particular on Pillar II of Horizon Europe, "Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness" and also covers relevant activities in other pillars and the Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area part.
The result of this strategic planning is set out in a multiannual strategic plan, for preparing the content of the work programmes covering a maximum period of four years.
The strategic plan contains
- key strategic orientations for research and innovation support and their targeted impact
- identification of European co-funded and co-programmed partnerships
- identification of EU missions
- areas of international cooperation
- orientations on specific issues like social sciences and humanities, gender, and the role of key enabling technologies
Following the political agreement of March-April 2019, the Commission began an ambitious and inclusive strategic planning towards the first strategic plan (2021-2024), for the first four years of Horizon Europe.
This plan helps to ensure that research and innovation actions contribute to EU priorities including a climate-neutral and green Europe, fit for the digital age, where the economy works for the people.
Get the overview of the strategic plan
Co-design initiatives
Since the summer of 2019, the Commission has engaged in extensive co-design activities, effectively inviting anyone with an interest in EU research and innovation priorities, anywhere in the world, to participate in consultation exercises on the Horizon Europe's first strategic plan.
The views and ideas of more than 8,000 respondents were collected through web-based surveys and close to 4,000 participants engaged in in-depth debates at the first European Research and Innovation Days, which took place in Brussels on 24 - 26 September 2019.
The results of the co-design process at that stage are summarised in the document Orientations towards the first Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe.
Missions in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe will incorporate research and innovation missions to increase the effectiveness of funding by pursuing clearly defined targets.
The Commission has engaged policy experts to develop studies, case studies and reports on how a mission-oriented policy approach will work.
Read more about the Commission's mission-oriented approach and download the studies that shaped it
Mission areas
5 mission areas have been identified, each with a dedicated mission board and assembly. The board and assembly help specify, design and implement the specific missions which will launch under Horizon Europe in 2021.
Adaptation to climate change including societal transformation
Climate-neutral and smart cities
Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters
European Partnerships in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe will support European Partnerships in which the EU, national authorities and/or the private sector jointly commit to support the development and implementation of a programme of research and innovation activities.
The goal of European Partnerships is to contribute to the achievement of EU priorities, address complex challenges outlined in Horizon Europe and strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
The partnerships will aim, for example, to upgrade the preparedness and response to infectious diseases, develop efficient low-carbon aircraft for clean aviation, or improve animal health.
The Horizon Europe proposal lays down the conditions and principles for establishing European Partnerships.
Full information on European Partnerships including candidates and contact details