Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the successor of Horizon 2020 and the largest research, development, and innovation programme ever implemented. For the period 2021-2027, the total budget of Horizon Europe is EUR 100 billion. The general aim of the programme is to strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological bases and the European Research Arena, to boost Europe’s innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs, and to deliver on citizen’s priorities and sustain the socio-economic model and values. With its emphasis on excellent science, industrial competitiveness, and tackling societal challenges, it enables discoveries and breakthroughs. By stimulating collaborations between private and public entities, Horizon Europe aims for faster and more efficient innovation.  

Funding opportunities (through calls for proposals) under Horizon Europe are built around three pillars:

  1. Excellent Science (EUR 25.8 billion)
  2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (EUR 52.7 billion)
  3. Innovative Europe (EUR 13.5 billion)

Pillar 2 consists of six clusters, namely:

  • Health
  • Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society
  • Civil security for Society
  • Digital, Industry & Space
  • Climate, Energy & Mobility
  • Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment

Especially within the latter three clusters, calls for projects will be announced that focus on circular cities. Work programmes are drafted for the different pillars. This subsequently provides the basis for the dedicated call for proposals for projects.

Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) focus on the early stages of the innovation curve; activities aiming to establish new knowledge and/or to explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, Innovation Actions (IAs) focus on the demonstration phases; activities directly aiming at producing plans and arrangements or designs for new, altered or improved products, processes or services. Finally, Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) are supported, that focus on standardisation, dissemination, awareness-raising and communication, networking, coordination, support services, policy dialogues, mutual learning exercises or studies. All calls for projects relate to either RIA, IA, or CSA and aim at one of the three pillars (i.e. tackling a specific societal challenge, industrial leadership, or excellence science). The funding rates for RIAs and CSAs are 100% of the eligible costs. Funding rate for IA is 70% of the eligible costs (except non-profit organisations, which are still funded 100%).

How to apply?

Calls for Horizon Europe are expected after March 2021. You can find the latest developments regarding Horizon Europe here external link icon.

 

Funding types

Debt icon Debt
Equity icon Equity
Guarantees icon Guarantees
Grants icon Grants
Alternatives icon Alternatives
Advisory services icon Advisory services

Get inspired

Circular city initiative
location icon The Hague, the Netherlands

The Hague: catalysing the local and European circular transition

Circular city initiative
location icon Valladolid, Spain

City of Valladolid: economic prosperity through circularity

Circular city initiative
location icon Prato, Italy

Prato: building on existing local circular practices

See more case studies