Horizon Europe
UK association to Horizon Europe on 1st January 2024
On 7 September 2023, the UK government and the EU approved an agreement in principle about UK’s association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes from 1st January 2024.
This decision was confirmed by the Council of the European Union on 15 November 2023.
This includes full participation in the programme (except for the EIC Accelerator Investment Fund)
UK entities can participate in/coordinate projects and receive funding from Horizon Europe for calls from the 2024 Work Programme and onwards. This includes any 2024 calls opening in this year (2023).
For calls open under the 2023 Work Programme, UK institutions need to apply as beneficiaries and if the grant is awarded in 2024, the UK team will be funded by the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee.
For additional information, we suggest to read the 2023 UK-EU agreement explainer.
Support for Essex staff and collaborators
Essex staff can apply for Horizon Europe funding, we encourage you to do so.
Essex colleagues who wish to apply for calls under Horizon Europe and external collaborators with queries or seeking advice regarding the UK’s participation in the programme can contact Dr Giovanna Bono, Research Development Manager for EU and International, (g.bono@essex.ac.uk).
If you want to find out about forthcoming opportunities, there are two avenues:
- Search the EU Funding and Tender opportunities portal
- Subscribe to our Horizon Europe mailing list to obtain updated information about calls, news, trainings and events.
There is an additional method that will become available later in 2024 and to find out more, please contact Dr G. Bono. (g.bono@essex.ac.uk).
Structure of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is organised according to three main pillars – reflecting the current research and innovation priorities of the Union – and an additional transversal element, focused on widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area.
Diagram Source: European Commission 2021 'How Horizon Europe was developed'
Structure details
Pillar I: Excellent Science
Pillar I aims to promote scientific excellence and attract highly-skilled researchers and innovators to Europe. It focuses on enabling and supporting the next generation of science, technology, research and innovation. Pillar I is primarily bottom-up, with applicants able to define their own projects without pre-determined topic areas.
Pillar I aims to reinforce scientific leadership through the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Sklodowsa-Curie Action (MSCA) and Research Infrastructure programmes.
| Pillar I: Excellent Science | Support for academic research | €24.9 billion |
| European Research Council | Funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers | €6.4 billion |
| Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions | Funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers | €6.4 billion |
| Research Infrastructures | Material resources for the academic community | €2.4 billion |
See all Draft 2023-2024 Work Programme
Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial competitiveness
Activities under Pillar II are ‘top-down’, driven by the EU strategic priorities. Calls are for collaborative projects involving at least three beneficiaries from three Member States/Associated Countries. Pillar II is organised in six clusters, which individually and together promote interdisciplinarity, cross-sectoral, cross-policy, cross-border and international co-operation.
The clusters are: Health Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Societies Digital, Industry and Space Civil Security and Society Climate, Energy and Mobility Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. Each of the six clusters has several defined intervention areas, which determine the focus on collaborative calls for proposals.
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Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial competitiveness |
Targeted research and innovation funding to address EU policy goals |
€53.8 billion |
|
Cluster One: Health |
Funding for health-related topics |
€8 billion |
|
Cluster Two: Culture, creativity and inclusive society |
Funding for cultural heritage, creative industries and social inclusion |
€2.3 billion |
|
Cluster Three: Civil security for society |
Funding for key technologies, manufacturing, space and other related topics |
€1.9 billion |
|
Cluster Four: Digital, industry and space |
Funding for key technologies, manufacturing, space and other related topics |
€15.5 billion |
|
Cluster Five: Climate, energy and mobility |
Funding for topics related to climate change, clean energy and clean and autonomous mobility. |
€15.2 billion |
|
Cluster Six: Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment |
Funding for better management of the natural world (not including climate change) |
€9 billion |
|
Funding for the Commission’s in-house research centre, which employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide independent scientific advice and support EU policy |
€2 billion |
See all Draft 2023-2024 Work Programme
Pillar III: Innovative Europe
This pillar focuses on scaling up breakthrough and market-creating innovation through a new European Innovation Council (EIC) as well as activities aimed at enhancing and developing the overall European innovation landscape. It also includes support to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). It channels funding through three main instruments:
- EIC Pathfinder (build on the success of the FET Open scheme under Horizon 2020)
- EIC Transition
- EIC Accelerator
|
Pillar III: Innovative Europe |
Promotes cooperation between academia and industry through partnerships and training programmes |
€13.4 billion |
|
Award grants, loans and equity to start-ups and university spin-offs. (UK does not participate in the equity element) |
€9.7 billion |
|
|
Supports dialogue between stakeholders |
€0.5 billion |
|
|
Supports the development of dynamic, long-term European partnerships amongst leading companies, research labs and higher education (EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities |
€3.2 billion |
See all Draft 2023-2024 Work Programme
Cross-Pillar Funding Calls
|
Cross-Pillar Funding Calls |
|
€3.3 billion |
|
Provides actions for countries which are less developed in terms of their R&I profile. |
€3.3 billion |
|
|
Reforming and enhancing the European Research and Innovation system |
Supports efforts to reform and enhance the EU R&I system.Addresses themes such as “Responsible Research and Innovation” (RRI), Gender Equality and Open Science. |
€0.3 billion |
See all Draft 2023-2024 Work Programme
Missions in Horizon Europe
One of the novelties of Horizon Europe is the concept of ‘Missions’ or mission-oriented funding. They aim to deliver solutions to global challenges, are expected to be bold and inspirational and have the mandate to solve challenges within a defined timeframe. They will be funded using a ‘portfolio approach’ with projects expected to stretch across different disciplines and parts of Horizon Europe. This will mean that they go beyond individual projects or partnerships and will create strong synergies.
Missions will have to relate to society and citizens’ needs, be highly visible and have a strong impact. They are also to be co-designed with the Member States and stakeholders but must also focus on keeping citizens involved in this process.
Five missions were launched by the European Commission in September 2021:
- Conquering Cancer:
- Accelerating the Transition to Climate Prepared and Resilient Europe
- Regenerating our Oceans and Waters
- 100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030 – by and for the citizens
See the 2021-2022 work programme for Missions
European partnerships in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe supports European partnerships with EU countries, the private sector, foundations and other stakeholders. The aim is to deliver on global challenges and industrial modernisation through concerted research and innovation efforts.
Full information on European Partnerships including candidates and contact details