Horizon Europe is the European Union’s most ambitious research and innovation programme to date. With a budget of €95.5 billion, it aims to drive scientific excellence, foster innovation, and address global challenges. This guide will provide an overview of the programme’s structure, key components, and how it supports research and innovation across Europe, helping you get to know Horizon Europe.
The Structure of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is organised into three main pillars: Excellent Science, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovative Europe. Each pillar focuses on different aspects of research and innovation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to advancing knowledge and technology.
– Pillar I: Excellent Science
The first pillar, Excellent Science, is dedicated to reinforcing and extending the EU’s scientific foundation. It includes the European Research Council (ERC), which funds frontier research projects, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which support researcher mobility and training. This pillar also invests in research infrastructures to provide state-of-the-art facilities for scientists.
– Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
The second pillar addresses societal challenges and supports industrial leadership in key technologies. It is divided into clusters that focus on health, culture, civil security, digital technologies, climate, energy, and mobility. This pillar encourages collaborative projects that bring together researchers, industry, and public authorities to solve pressing global issues.
– Pillar III: Innovative Europe
The third pillar aims to foster innovation across the continent by supporting the development and scaling-up of breakthrough technologies. The European Innovation Council (EIC) plays a central role in this pillar, providing funding and support to high-risk, high-reward projects. This pillar also enhances innovation ecosystems and helps bridge the gap between research and market applications.
Cross-Cutting Priorities
Horizon Europe integrates several cross-cutting priorities to ensure the programme’s impact is broad and inclusive. These priorities include gender equality, widening participation and spreading excellence, and supporting Open Science practices. By embedding these principles, Horizon Europe promotes diversity and transparency in research and innovation.
Applying for Horizon Europe Funding
Securing funding through Horizon Europe involves a competitive application process. Researchers and innovators must submit detailed proposals that are evaluated by independent experts. Proposals are assessed based on excellence, impact, and implementation. Successful applicants receive grants to carry out their projects, contributing to the EU’s research and innovation goals.
Benefits of Participating in Horizon Europe
Participation in Horizon Europe offers numerous benefits. It provides access to substantial funding, world-class research infrastructures, and opportunities for international collaboration. Researchers and innovators can enhance their skills, expand their networks, and contribute to cutting-edge projects that address global challenges. Furthermore, Horizon Europe promotes the dissemination and exploitation of results, ensuring that research outcomes have a tangible impact on society.
Supporting International Collaboration
Horizon Europe emphasises the importance of international collaboration. It encourages participation from countries beyond the EU, fostering global partnerships. This international dimension strengthens the programme’s capacity to address worldwide challenges and enhances Europe’s role as a global leader in research and innovation.
Fostering Innovation and Market Uptake
One of the key objectives of Horizon Europe is to bridge the gap between research and market applications. By supporting projects that have the potential to generate marketable products and services, the programme drives innovation and economic growth. The EIC, in particular, plays a crucial role in helping start-ups and SMEs scale their innovations, creating new market opportunities.
Promoting Open Science and Responsible Research
Horizon Europe is committed to promoting Open Science practices and responsible research. Open Science involves making research outputs, including publications, data, and software, accessible to all. This approach enhances transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration. Additionally, Horizon Europe encourages researchers to consider the ethical, legal, and social implications of their work, ensuring that research is conducted responsibly.
Addressing Societal Challenges
Horizon Europe is designed to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges, such as climate change, health crises, and digital transformation. By funding interdisciplinary projects that address these issues, the programme contributes to sustainable development and improves the quality of life for European citizens. The emphasis on impact ensures that research outcomes lead to meaningful and measurable benefits.
Embracing the Opportunities of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe represents a significant opportunity for researchers, innovators, and organisations across Europe and beyond. By providing extensive funding, fostering collaboration, and promoting excellence, it drives scientific and technological advancements. This Horizon Europe guide highlights the programme’s structure, priorities, and benefits, offering a comprehensive overview of how it supports research and innovation. Embracing the opportunities offered by Horizon Europe can lead to ground-breaking discoveries, innovative solutions, and a brighter future for all.
By understanding the framework and priorities of Horizon Europe, participants can better navigate the programme and maximise their chances of success. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a budding innovator, Horizon Europe offers a platform to contribute to Europe’s scientific excellence and address global challenges.
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