HORIZON EUROPE 2021–2027

♦ Second strategic plan for Horizon Europe published:

The European Commission presented the second strategic plan for the last three years of the Horizon Europe programme (2025-2027). It sets out the following three key strategic orientations:

• Green transition
• Digital transition
• A more resilient, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe

These key strategic orientations are the guiding principles for Horizon Europe’s upcoming work programmes and proposal calls until 2027. Further information can be found here.

♦ Amendment to the 2023-2024 work programme:

An updated version of the current main work programme for Horizon Europe was also recently published by the EU Commission (on 17 April 2024): It contains adapted information for the 2024 calls for proposals and already includes some new information for 2025. The document’s name has been changed accordingly to "Work Programme 2023-2025". New features include updated work programme sections on the EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus. The current version also includes updated submission deadlines for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in Pillar 1 for 2024 and 2025. For more information click here.

♦ Canada and Republic of Korea to join Horizon Europe:

After the association agreement on New Zealand's accession to Horizon Europe was signed in summer 2023, the association of two other countries that are not in geographical proximity to Europe are now imminent: The conclusion of negotiations on Canada's association with Horizon Europe was announced in November 2023, with the signing of the agreement planned for mid-2024. At the end of March 2024, the European Commission furthermore announced that the association agreement with the Republic of Korea will be signed in the second half of this year. This will enable researchers and organisations from Canada and the Republic of Korea to participate in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe on equal terms with institutions from EU member states.

•  Further information on the association of Canada can be found here.
•  The press release on South Korea's association can be found here.
•  Current information on the association status of other third countries can be found on the EU Commission's website.

♦ Hungary: Eligibility of some universities and institutions for Horizon Europe restricted:

As of December 15, 2022, due to Hungary's violations of the fundamental principle of the rule of law, it is no longer possible to conclude Horizon Europe grant agreements with institutions covered by the Academia Act adopted in 2019 or administered through the foundation model established above it. This includes 21 higher education institutions that are now ineligible for Horizon Europe grants. For more information, click here.

♦ The following pages provide detailed information on individual and collaborative research in the EU funding programme Horizon Europe:

• European Commission (here)
• Online guide to the Funding and Tender Portal, from proposal preparation and submission to reporting on your ongoing project (here)
• "Funding and Tender Portal" for calls for proposals (here)
• European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) (here)
• Portal of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (here) (German only)
• National Contact Points (NKS) (here) (German only)
   

♦ National and regional measures for proposal support can be found on the following sites:

• Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) (here) (German only)
• BMBF (here) (German only)

On the websites of the EU Office (BMBF) (German only) and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KOWI) you will find a comprehensive calendar of events with information and training opportunities.

Selected events

♦ Two online event series on "Fit for your application: Proposal preparation in Cluster 6 and the missions of Horizon Europe" of the NKS B&U:

• From 8 April to 17 June 2024, the National Contact Point Bioeconomy and Environment (NKS B&U) is holding two event series on applying for Cluster 6 and the missions in Horizon Europe. In the webinar and workshop series titled "Fit für Ihren Antrag: Antragsvorbereitung in Cluster 6 und den Missionen von Horizont Europa," experts provide a comprehensive overview of all important areas of the application process. In addition to the content and writing of a proposal, the budget planning and review process, overarching topics such as gender dimensions or standardisation aspects, research impact and dissemination as well as artificial intelligence and ethics will be covered. The events are primarily aimed at those interested in preparing an application for the new calls of the 2024 work programme for EU missions. Registration is already open, and an overview of the individual events can be found here.

♦ Online seminars by the NCP MSC on the Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024:

• The National Contact Point MSC offers a series of webinars in German and English to prepare early career researchers for applying for the Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024. The dates are:

  14 May 2024, 10 am–12 noon (German)
  28 May 2024, 9–11 am (English)
  6 June 2024, 3–5 pm (English)

  Further information and the registration link can be found here.

♦ EU Commission webinar on Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe:

• On 16 May 2024, the European Commission is hosting a webinar on project funding with lump sums in Horizon Europe from 10 am to 12 noon. The event "Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal?" focuses on the principles of project funding through lump sums and on helpful tips for submitting proposals. The webinar will be transmitted via livestream in English and registration is not required.

♦ Webinar by the NCP B&U and the CP Ethics on ethical aspects in Horizon Europe proposals:

• The National Contact Point Bioeconomy and Environment and the Contact Point Ethics are organising the online event "Ethikaspekte im Horizont Europa-Antrag" on 23 May 2024 from 10 to 11 am as part of the webinar series "Fit für Ihren Antrag". Since the cross-cutting topic should be considered from the project planning to the project completion, the organisers will provide detailed information on ethical aspects in all project phases. Further information and the registration link can be found here.

♦ Information event of the National Contact Point ERC on the Advanced Grant Call 2024:

• As the ERC Advanced Grant Call 2024 will be opened on 29 May, the NCP ERC offers an online information event on 12 June 2024 from 10 am to 12 noon. The hosts will provide important information and tips on the application and review process and on new aspects of the call (e.g. regarding the lump sum funding). The target group are potential ERC applicants and multipliers at German research institutions. The event will be held in English and registration is already open.

• Introduction: Horizon Europe at a glance (English presentation) (here)
• Document library: Horizon Europe Info Days (here)
• Rules of Participation in Horizon Europe (KOWI) (here)
• Programme Guide (European Commission) (here)

• "Smart4Policy": EU tool for self-reflection on own strengths in the field of science-for-policy (to the questionnaire)
• European Commission: Horizon Europe Mission-Videos (here)
• European Commission: Webinar – How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (Part 1, Part 2)
• European Commission: Webinar – How to evaluate Social Sciences and Humanities in Horizon Europe proposals (here)
• Intro-Video: Looking to finance a project or do business with the EU? (here)
• ERC Executive Agency: Video-Serie – ERC Classes (here)
• ERC Executive Agency: Video-Serie – ERC Research Funding Playlist (here)
• European REA: Common mistakes to avoid when applying for Horizon Europe funding (here)

X / Twitter

• Horizon Europe @HorizonEU
• Horizon Europe NCP Portal @HE_NCP_Portal
• EU Science & Innovation @EUScienceInnov

To all other channels go here