Horizon Europe: The biggest Research and Innovation programme you've never heard of

Brussels (ots) - 'Horizon Europe must be more than a science
programme; it needs to be the cornerstone for a new 'social contract'
between citizens, governments and science.' [1]

Horizon Europe, the European Union's next Research and Innovation
(R&I) Programme, will run for seven years, from 2021 to 2027. With a
proposed budget of EUR94.6 billion, it is the EU's biggest ever R&I
programme and one of the largest scientific funding initiatives in
the world. These are the most important things you need to know about
the programme:

WHAT'S NEW IN THE PROGRAMME?

Tackling the great missions of our time

For the first time ever, funding under a Framework Programme is
arranged around concrete missions to solve Europe's and the world's
most difficult problems. Mission areas under discussion include
curing childhood cancer and ridding our oceans of the millions of
tonnes of plastic waste that kill seabirds and marine animals every
day. Achieving these missions requires the world's best minds and
talents to come together, which is why international research
cooperation is built into the missions' DNA. The mission-oriented
approach is inspired by the process by which some of history's
greatest innovations, like the internet and the Galileo satellite
navigation system came about - as after-effects of major
problem-solving efforts. Each mission will be backed by significant
funding and is expected to incite major business investment in novel,
market-shaping advancements.

New opportunities for international participation

Horizon Europe will be even more open to international
participation than its predecessor programme Horizon 2020, which
lauded the 'Open to the World' principle as one of its main tenets.
The European Commission's proposal for Horizon Europe states it will
intensify and expand international cooperation and extend association
agreements - a legal status that allows countries to participate in
EU research under the same preferential conditions as Member States -
to include third countries with excellent science, technology,
business and innovation capacities. The programme's aim is to be
flexible in its entry terms for third countries. Under Horizon
Europe, the international share of total participations is set to
increase considerably.

New opportunities for international participation

Horizon Europe will be even more open to international
participation than its predecessor programme Horizon 2020, which
lauded the 'Open to the World' principle as one of its main tenets.
The European Commission's proposal for Horizon Europe states it will
intensify and expand international cooperation and extend association
agreements - a legal status that allows countries to participate in
EU research under the same preferential conditions as Member States -
to include third countries with excellent science, technology,
business and innovation capacities. The programme's aim is to be
flexible in its entry terms for third countries. Under Horizon 2020,
the vast amount of funding has gone to researchers in the EU and its
neighbouring countries. Under Horizon Europe, the international share
of total participations is set to increase considerably.

3-PILLAR STRUCTURE

Open Science

Aim: To extend the excellence of the European Union's science base
through such established initiatives as the European Research
Council, which funds frontier research at all stages in researchers'
careers, and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, which equip researchers
with new knowledge and skills through mobility.

Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness

Aim: To boost key technologies and solutions which underpin EU
policies and the Sustainable Development Goals. Funding under this
pillar is organised into different thematic clusters, representing
major policy challenges of the future.

Open Innovation

Aim: To stimulate breakthroughs and business ecosystems conducive
to innovation. Under this pillar, the new European Innovation Council
will be established. The Council is set to spur breakthrough
technologies by supporting disruptive, high-potential innovations
that are too risky for private investors.

Horizon Europe will be finally adopted within the next 18 months,
once the legislation itself, the long-term EU budget the programme
depends on, and the strategic planning of the programme's key details
have been agreed upon. On March 20, an important first step in this
direction was taken, as negotiators for the European Parliament and
the Council of the European Union reached an agreement on most
aspects of the legislation that will establish Horizon Europe.

Follow updates on Horizon Europe and EU-international research
cooperation on Twitter: @EUScienceInnov | #HorizonEU

Coming up next month: How Horizon 2020's openness to the world is
promoting breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence

[1]: Moedas, Carlos (@Moedas) Horizon Europe must be more than a
science programme; it needs to be the cornerstone for a new 'social
contract' between citizens, governments and science. #HorizonEU
#EUatDavos #WEF19. 23.01.2019.
https://twitter.com/Moedas/status/1088138847857324034

Contact:
Hendrik Steinort (Scholz & Friends)
Email: hendrik.steinort@s-f.com
Phone: +49 30 700 186 742

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