HORIZON EUROPE 2021-2027
The EU's funding program for research and innovation
On June 15, 2021, the official starting signal was given for the new EU research framework programme Horizon Europe, which, as the successor to Horizon 2020, will cover the entire chain from basic research to innovation to the market with a volume of almost 100 billion euros in the period 2021 to 2027. Horizon Europe aims to make Europe greener and more digital, as well as more innovative, resilient and participatory.
The programme includes:
- (Open-topic) individual funding (Pillar 1) for researchers at all levels of experience, e.g. ERC-Starting Grants and Marie-Curie-Skłodowska-Research Fellowships for early-career researchers
- (Topic-bound) collaborative research (Pillars 2 & 3) for experienced researchers.
The Research Service provides advice and support on questions related to application and project implementation.
♦ New Zealand joins Horizon Europe:
The signing of the association agreement is planned for 2023.
This will enable researchers and organizations from New Zealand to participate in Pillar II of Horizon Europe on equal terms with institutions from EU Member States.
- More information on the association of New Zealand can be found here.
- For the latest information on the status of association of Canada and other third countries, please visit 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:
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
♦ Online information event of the European Commission on the Infoday on Cluster 1 for the Calls 2024 in Horizon Europe:
On 1 June 2023, the European Commission will hold an Infoday on Cluster 1 for the 2024 Calls. On the following day, an online brokerage event will take place on these calls, organised by the Network of National Contact Points for Health (HNN3.0) together with the European Commission, the Enterprise Europe Network and the Network of National Contact Points for the Widening Programme (WideraNet). Further information on the programme and registration (possible until 29 May) for the Infoday on 01 June 2023 will be available here soon.
♦ Online format "Horizon Europe? Ask the NCP! - Open exchange at noon" of the National Contact Point (NCP) Society on the topic "News on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe"::
On 1 June 2023, the NCP Society will host the next edition of the online format "Horizon Europe? Ask the NCP! - Open exchange at noon" on the topic "News on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe". Various activities are currently underway to prepare for the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The results of this evaluation are not only relevant for the remaining time of Horizon Europe, but also for the design of the successor programme. At this event, the process of the interim evaluation will be presented, current opportunities, feedback on Horizon Europe and Cluster 2 "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" will be presented, and your experience of the programme so far will be discussed. You can find more information here.
♦ Online seminar of the National Contact Point Marie Skłodowska-Curie Measures (NCP MSC) on how to apply for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) in Horizon Europe:
On 5 June 2023, the NCP MSC will hold an online seminar in English on how to apply for the Postdoctoral Fellowships. This seminar is aimed specifically at researchers who have recently started working in Germany as well as at researchers still working abroad who are planning to submit a proposal for the Postdoctoral Fellowships together with a German institution by 13 September 2023. Further information can be found here.
♦ European Commission online information event on Horizon Europe Coordinators` Day - Grant Agreement Preparation in Horizon Europe:
On 8 June 2023, the European Commission will host an online information event on Grant Agreement Preparation. During the full-day event, the process around the preparation of the Grant Agreement will be explained and information on legal and financial aspects will be provided. Further information and the YouTube livestream can be found here.
♦ Information Day of the European Research Executive Agency (REA) on the MSCA Doctoral Networks funding line in Horizon Europe:
On 14 June 2023, the REA will inform about changes to the MSCA Doctoral Networks funding line in the 2023/24 work programme. Applicants can address their questions directly to the REA representatives. For more information on how to register, please click here.
♦ Online seminar of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie National Contact Point (NCP MSC) on how to apply for the MSCA Doctoral Networks (DN) in Horizon Europe:
On 20 June 2023, the NCP MSC will conduct an online seminar in German on the specifics of applying in the Doctoral Networks (DN). It is aimed at institutions planning to submit a proposal. There is no participation fee, but registration is required. Further information and the link to the registration can be found here.
♦ Online event of the National Contact Point (NCP) Bioeconomy & Environment on funding opportunities in the field of bioeconomy and environment in Cluster 6 in Horizon Europe:
On 27 June 2023, the NCP Bioeconomy & Environment will present the funding opportunities in the area of "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment" in Cluster 6 and take a look at the calls for proposals for 2024. Further information and the link to register can be found here.
- Introduction: Horizon Europe at a glance (English presentation) (here)
- Rules of Participation in Horizon Europe (KOWI) (here)
- Programme Guide (European Commission) (here)
- Annotated application form for the calls for Cluster 6 "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment" in Horizon Europe (here)
- "Science4Policy": EU tool for self-reflection on own strengths in the field of science-for-policy (to the questionnaire)
- European Commission: Webinar - How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (Part 1, Part 2)
- European Commission: Horizon Europe Info Days (here)
- European Commission: Horizon Europe Mission-Videos (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)
- Horizon Europe @HorizonEU
- Horizon Europe NCP Portal @HE_NCP_Portal
- EU Science & Innovation @EUScienceInnov
To all other channels go here