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.
♦ The Republic of Korea and Switzerland join Horizon Europe:
Following New Zealand's association with Horizon Europe in 2023 and Canada's in 2024, the association of the first Asian country is now official: 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 17 July 2025. A transitional arrangement for Switzerland's participation in all three pillars of Horizon Europe is effective since the beginning of the year. The signing of the association agreement is also expected in 2025.
- The press release on the association of the Republic of Korea can be found here.
- The press release on Switzerland'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 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
♦ EU Commission’s European Research and Innovation Days 2025:
- On 16 and 17 September 2025, the European Research and Innovation (R&I) Days will take place for the sixth time in Brussels. The European Commission invites policymakers, researchers, stakeholders, and the public to discuss the R&I future in Europe and beyond under the conference’s motto “Together, towards a Research and Innovation Union”. Participation is possible in person or online. The programme and registration link are already available.
♦ EU-ReasoN online event series on funding opportunities in Horizon Europe:
- Leuphana is part of the Lower Saxony advisory network EU-ReasoN, which is organizing a series of online events on the last work programme of Horizon Europe in cooperation with the National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network. The first calls for proposals for the 2026/2027 programme are expected to be published in December 2025. To be fully prepared, you can participate in the following events:
October 9, 2025, 1:30–3 pm: Funding opportunities in the areas of climate, energy, and mobility
October 29, 2025, 1–2:30 pm: Funding opportunities in the field of health
October 30, 2025, 1:30–3 pm: Funding opportunities in the field of digital and industrial technologies
November 13, 2025, 1–2:30 pm: Funding opportunities in the fields of bioeconomy, agriculture, and the environment
November 20, 2025, 1–2:30 pm: Funding opportunities in the fields of culture, creativity, and inclusive society
You can register for the events and find further information on the EU ReasoN event page. If you have any questions, please contact the Leuphana Research Service.
♦ Ask your NCP – MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025: Last Minute Questions:
- On November 20, 2025, the National Contact Point Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (NCP MSCA) is offering an online event on the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 call for proposals, which closes on November 25. During the event from 10 to 11 am participants will have the opportunity to ask final questions about the call and the submission process. The event will be held in English, and registration is open until November 19, 2025.
- "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