The Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for 2021-2022, which sets out the objectives and specific thematic areas that will receive funding totalling €14.7 billion. euro. These investments will accelerate the green and digital transition and contribute to a sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to the EU’s resilience against future crises. They will also support European researchers through scholarships, training and exchanges, build more connected and efficient European innovation ecosystems and create world-class research infrastructures. They will also encourage the participation of researchers from all over Europe and the world, while strengthening the European Research Area.

Achieving progress on climate neutrality and digital leadership thanks to the Horizon Europe programme

More than four out of ten euros – about 5.8 billion. EUR in total – will be invested in research and innovation in order to support European Green Deal and the Union’s commitment to make the EU the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The funds will support projects that promote scientific research on climate change and develop solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. For example, activities under the programme will accelerate the transition to clean energy and mobility in a sustainable and equitable way, contribute to the adaptation of food systems and support the circular economy and bio-economy, maintain and enhance natural carbon sinks in ecosystems and promote adaptation to climate change.

To make this decade the Europe’s digital decade and to further develop the foundations for new digital businesses in the future are also key objectives of the programme, the realisation of which will ensure a significant increase in investment in this area. For example, the programme will help maximise the full potential of digital tools and data-driven research and innovation in the fields of healthcare, media, cultural heritage and the creative economy, energy, mobility and food production, supporting the modernisation of industrial models and strengthening European industrial excellence. The development of key digital technologies will be supported with around 4 billion. euro for the period 2021-2022.

Finally, the work programme will direct investments totalling approximately 1.9 billion. euro to repair the immediate economic and social damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In agreement with the medium NextGenerationEU , the funding will contribute to rebuilding Europe in the post-COVID-19 era, helping it to become not only greener and more digital, but also more resilient and better prepared for current and future challenges. This includes modernising health systems and strengthening research capacities, in particular for vaccine development.

A strategic, open and reciprocal international cooperation for greater impact

International cooperation in research and innovation is essential to address global challenges and to enable Europe to access resources, know-how, scientific excellence, value chains and markets developing in other parts of the world. In May 2021, the Commission presented a global approach to research and innovation, the Union’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world. The EU aims to provide solutions and contribute to global responses to global challenges, based on multilateralism, openness and reciprocity.

The Horizon Europe work programme for 2021-2022 includes specific actions to support and strengthen cooperation through multilateral initiatives in areas such as biodiversity and climate protection, environmental observation, oceanographic research or global health. It also includes targeted actions with key partners outside the EU, including the first ambitious and comprehensive “ Africa initiative “.

Horizon Europe is by definition open to the world. The association of third countries to Horizon Europe will broaden the geographical scope of the overall programme and provide additional opportunities for the participation of researchers, scientists, companies, organisations or other interested institutions, under the same general conditions as those applicable to Member States. In a very small number of actions, the programme will limit participation in order to safeguard the strategic resources, interests, autonomy or security of the EU, in accordance with Article 22(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation. This limitation will be exceptional and duly justified, in agreement with the Member States and in full respect of the EU’s commitments under bilateral agreements.

Next steps

The first calls for proposals will open on the Commission’s funding and tendering portal on 22 June. The European Research and Innovation Days on 23 and 24 June will provide an opportunity for policy makers, researchers, innovators and citizens to discuss the Horizon Europe programme. Horizon Europe information days for potential applicants will take place between 28 June and 9 July.

Background

Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021-2027, worth €95.5 billion. which succeeded the Horizon 2020 programme. Today’s Horizon Europe work programme builds on the strategic plan of Horizon Europe, adopted at the end of March 2021, to set the EU’s research and innovation priorities for 2021-2024. Most of the funding is allocated on the basis of competitive calls for proposals, which are set out in the work programmes. New funding opportunities have already opened up from the beginning of 2021: in February the Commission launched the first calls for proposals of the European Research Council under the Horizon Europe programme and in March it launched the new European Innovation Council. In addition, in April, the European Commission launched the European Research Council in March, quickly mobilised 123 million euro for research and innovation on coronavirus variants.