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
♦ ERC Starting Grant 2025 interview training by the NCP ERC:
- The National Contact Point ERC is offering training to prepare candidates for the ERC Starting Grant interviews of the 2025 call. The training sessions will be conducted online between the end of April and the end of May 2025. In addition to a general preparation session (Part I), twelve small group training sessions (Part II) will take place. Further information such as the overview of dates, details of the registration process and contact persons can be found on the website. The registration links are available since 31 March 2025.
♦ Live stream of the Horizon Europe Info Days – EU Missions:
The missions’ part of the main work programme 2025 under Horizon Europe contains new calls for proposals and topics. They aim to help achieve the EU missions’ goals in the areas of health, climate and the environment. The Horizon Europe Info Days on 22 and 23 May 2025 from 9:30 am will be dedicated to these innovations. Potential applicants will be informed about funding opportunities for projects that are anchored in the main work programme 2025 for the following missions:
100 Climate-Neutral and Smart cities by 2030 Mission
Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 Mission
A Soil Deal for Europe Mission
Cancer Mission
Adaptation to Climate Change MissionThe event will be streamed live on its platform on which the schedule is already available.
♦ Online event “Ask the NCP!” on ethics in Cluster 2 proposals:
- On 28 May 2025, the National Contact Point Society will host the event “Ethik in Anträgen für Cluster 2 in Horizont Europa” (“Ethics in proposals for Cluster 2 in Horizon Europe”) from 1 to 2 pm, together with the Ethics Contact Point. The event will address questions relating to the topic of research ethics such as: What do applicants, particularly those from the social sciences and humanities, need to be aware of? What guidance and support are available? How does the ethics review process work? The event is part of the series “Horizon Europe? Ask the NCP! – Open exchange at noon” (“Horizont Europa? Frag die NKS! – Offener Austausch am Mittag”) and registration is open until 27 May 2025.
♦ Online seminars by the NCP MSC on the Postdoctoral Fellowships and the Doctoral Networks 2025:
The National Contact Point Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSC) offers a series of webinars in English and German to prepare early career researchers for applying for the Postdoctoral Fellowships or the Doctoral Networks 2025. The dates are:
27 Mai 2025, 9–11 am, Postdoctoral Fellowships (English),
5 Juni 2025, 15–17 pm, Postdoctoral Fellowships (English),
25 Juni 2025 (new date), 10 am–12 noon Uhr, Doctoral Networks (German)Further information and the registration links can be found 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