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 and are expected to be concluded by the end of 2025.

• 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

♦ Workshop series “Fit für die Antragstellung in Cluster 6” by the NKS B&U :

• The National Contact Point for Bioeconomy and Environment (NKS B&U) is offering a series of workshops in January 2026 on applying in Cluster 6 and in the EU missions. Four sessions will feature introductions and practical exercises on the following topics:
  
  8 January 2026, 1 to approx. 3 pm: SMART objectives
  12 January 2026, 9:30 am to approx. 12 pm: Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)
  26 January 2026, 1 to approx. 3 pm: Pathway to Impact
  29 January 2026, 9:30 am to approx. 12 pm: Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication
  
  Further information on the individual dates and registration can be found here. Participation in individual or all events is free of charge, but places are limited.

♦ Live stream of the European Commission’s EU Mission Info Days:

• At the EU Commission’s Info Days on January 20 and 21, 2026, potential applicants will be informed about the new calls for proposals under the five European Missions – Cancer, Climate Adaptation, Water, Cities, and Soil. The event will be broadcast online and registration is not required. You can find the programme and further information here.

♦ Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Info Days in Brussels and online:

• The European Research Executive Agency (REA) is organizing the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Information Days on January 22 and 23, 2026. The event presents research and innovation opportunities in the fields of food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and the environment. The occasion is the upcoming publication of the 2026 work programme. Participation is possible either on site or online via a livestream. Further information and the opportunity to register can be found here.

• 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.