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.
♦ 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.
♦ Switzerland and the Republic of Korea join Horizon Europe:
Following the association of New Zealand and Canada to Horizon Europe in 2023 and 2024, a transitional arrangement for the association of the third country not geographically close to Europe has now entered into force: Researchers and organisations from the Republic of Korea can participate in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe under the same conditions as institutions from EU member states as of 1 January 2025. A transitional arrangement for Switzerland's participation in all three pillars of Horizon Europe also came into force on the same date. The signing of the two association agreements is expected in 2025.
- The press release on Switzerland's association can be found here.
- Further information on the association of South Korea 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:
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 info event on the ERC Synergy Grant Call:
- The National Contact Point ERC (NCP ERC) is offering online information events for the upcoming ERC call year. A webinar on the Synergy Grant Call will take place on 15 July 2025 from 1 to 3 pm. The ERC Executive Agency (ERCEA) will present key aspects of the call and provide tips on the application and review process. In addition, ERC grantees will share their experiences with potential ERC applicants.
The registration link and further information can be found here.
♦ Online info event on the ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant Calls:
- On 16 July 2025, the NCP ERC is holding an online event on the upcoming calls for Starting and Consolidator Grants under the ERC Work Programme 2026. Speakers from the ERCEA will give an overview of both funding lines from 9:30 am to 12 noon and in particular present the announced changes to the application form. Moreover, two ERC grantees from previous calls will report on their experiences.
The event will be held in English and registration is now open.
♦ Webinar series “Horizon Europe decoded” by the NCP Bioeconomy and Environment:
- In summer 2025, the National Contact Point Bioeconomy and Environment offers a webinar series with practical information and helpful tips for applying to Horizon Europe calls. The events are aimed at anyone who wants to apply for the calls for proposals of the mission work programmes or the Cluster 6 work programme for the year 2025. The programmes were published at the beginning of May and the next submission deadlines are in September 2025.
Wed, 23 July 2025, 10–11:30 am: Societal (social science and humanities) aspects
Thu, 24 July 2025, 10–11:30 am: Living Labs – how open innovation spaces become a success
Mon, 28 July 2025, 10–11:30 am: Integrating gender dimension into research & innovation
Wed, 30 July 2025, 10–11:30 am: AI and robotics
Thursday, 31 July 2025, 10–11:30 am: Ethical aspects in the application
Wed, 20 August 2025, 10 am–12 noon: Concise writing of application sections
Tue, 2 September 2025, 10 am–12 noon: Review process and reviewer critiques – evaluation summary reports
Further information on the individual events and the registration links are available on this page.
- "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