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.

♦ The Republic of Korea, Egypt, and Switzerland join Horizon Europe:

Following New Zealand's association with Horizon Europe in 2023 and Canada's in 2024, further associations of countries outside the EU took place in 2025: Since July 17, 2025, researchers and organizations from the Republic of Korea have been eligible to participate in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe under the same conditions as institutions from EU member states. On October 22, 2025, the European Commission and Egypt also signed the Horizon Europe association agreement. Egypt is the second African country, alongside Tunisia, to be fully associated with the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Switzerland has been officially associated with Horizon Europe since November 10, 2025, under the same conditions as EU member states. Furthermore, negotiations between the European Union and Japan on the country's participation in Pillar 2 have been ongoing since 2024, the association is expected in 2026.

• The press release on the association of the Republic of Korea can be found here.
• The press release on the association of Egypt can be found here.
• The press release on the association of Switzerland can be found here.
• Information on the status of Japan'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 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:

• Horizon Europe portal of the European Commission (here)
• "Funding and Tenders Portal" for calls for proposals (here)
• Online manual to the “Funding and Tenders Portal”, from proposal preparation and submission to reporting on your ongoing project (here)
• European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) (here)
• Horizon Europe portal of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) (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)
• EU Bureau of the BMFTR (here)

On the websites of the EU Bureau (BMFTR) 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

♦ Information event on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges (MSCA SE):

• On 11 February 2026, the National Contact Point Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (NCP MSC) and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) are organising a joint online event on the MSCA SE call for proposals 2026. From 10 to 11:30 am, they will provide a concise overview of the funding line. In addition, speakers from the European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) will explain the application and evaluation process. A practical example will also be presented. The event will be held in English and registration is now open.

♦ NKS B&U webinar series on the Cluster 6 topics for 2027:

• The Horizon Europe funding calls for 2027 were published in December 2025. The National Contact Point Bioeconomy and Environment (NCP B&U) is now offering a series of webinars on the topics, i.e. the funding priorities of Cluster 6: “Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and the environment.” The individual events offer a compact overview of the thematic orientations and objectives of the planned calls for proposals:
  
  17 February 2026, 10–11:30 am: Destination 1
  19 February 2026, 10–approx. 11 am: Destination 2
  24 February 2026, 10–approx. 11:30 am: Destination 3
  26 February 2026, 10–11:30 am: Destinations 4, 5 and 6
  3 March 2026, 10–approx. 11 am: Destination 7
  
  The webinar series is aimed at anyone interested in finding out about relevant funding topics at an early stage. You can register for one or more events.

♦ Online event series by the NCP Society on the 2026 work programme of Cluster 2:

• In February and March, the National Contact Point Society (NCP Society) will hold online information events on the topics of the 2026 Cluster 2 calls for proposals. The events are aimed at potential applicants, primarily from the social sciences and humanities. The series will begin with a general introductory event providing an overview of Cluster 2: “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society.” The three subsequent events will present the thematic areas of “Democracy and Governance,” “Cultural Heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries” and “Social and Economic Transformations” and their topics in detail:
  
  26 February 2026, 10 am–12 noon: Introduction to Horizon Europe and “Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society;” Registration deadline: 25 February 2026
  3 March 2026, 10 am–12 noon: Topic area “Democracy and Governance;” Registration deadline: 2 March 2026
  4 March 2026, 10 am–12 noon: Topic area “Cultural Heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries;” Registration deadline: 3 March 2026
  5 March 2026, 10 am–12 noon: Topic area “Social and Economic Transformations;” Registration deadline: 4 March 2026

• Programme Guide by the European Commission (here)
• Document library of the European Commission (here)
• Horizon Europe Info Days (here)
• Overview (KoWi): Rules of Participation in Horizon Europe (here)
• Overview (KoWi): European Commission proposal for the tenth EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10)(here)

• EU Science & Innovation intro video: Looking to finance a project or do business with the EU? (here)
• European Commission: Horizon Europe Mission videos (here)
• European Commission Webinar: How to prepare a successful proposal in Horizon Europe (Part 1, Part 2)
• ERC Executive Agency video series: ERC Classes (here)
• European REA: Common mistakes to avoid when applying for Horizon Europe funding (here)
• "Smart4Policy": EU tool for self-reflection on own strengths in the field of science-for-policy (to the questionnaire)

For an overview of the various social media channels that provide ongoing information about EU research funding, please click here.