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Proposal for a Regulation establishing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027

In “A Europe Fit for the Digital Age”

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Horizon Europe will be implemented through three pillars:

(1) The Excellent Science pillar (€25.8 billion) supports frontier research projects defined and driven by researchers themselves through the European Research Council (ERC) (€16.6 billion), funds fellowships and exchanges for researchers through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (€6.8 billion), and invests in excellent research infrastructures.

(2) The Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar (€52.7 billion) directly supports research relating to societal challenges, reinforces technological and industrial capacities, and sets EU-wide missions with ambitious goals tackling some of our biggest problems. It also includes activities pursued by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) (€2.2 billion) which supports EU and national policymakers with independent scientific evidence and technical support.

(3) The Open Innovation pillar (€13.5 billion) aims to make Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation (€10 billion). It also aims, by further strengthening the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), to foster the integration of business, research, higher education and entrepreneurship (€3 billion).

Horizon Europe  introduce new schemes, such as:

  • European Innovation Council (EIC): That is a one-stop shop to support innovative start-ups and companies to scale up their ideas through, inter alia, direct financial support through two main funding instruments.
  • EU-wide R&I missions: Examples could range from the fight against cancer, to clean transport or plastic-free oceans.
  • New European Partnerships: Horizon Europe intends to streamline the number of partnerships.

On 13 June 2018, the European Parliament's lead committee, the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) committee, appointed Dan Nica (S&D, Romania) as rapporteur. The ITRE committee adopted the report on 21 November 2018. On 12 December 2018, the plenary adopted the report and provided the mandate to enter into negotiation (trilogue) with the Council.

In the 19 March trilogue, Parliament and Council reached a partial agreement. Parliament has prioritised increasing the budget dedicated to spreading excellence and strengthening the European research area (ERA). There will also be broader support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups, with at least 70 % of the EIC budget to be dedicated to SMEs. The deal also envisages at least 35 % of the Horizon Europe budget contributing to climate objectives.

The plenary of the European Parliament adopted the partial agreement on 17 April 2019. 

Between  2021 and 2027, Horizon Europe will have a total budget allocation of of €95.517 billion (in current prices), which equals €84.9 billion (in constant 2018 prices). The breakdown reads as follows (in constant 2018 prices):

Pillar I 'Excellence Science' has a budget allocation of €25.01 billion in current prices, which equals €22.17 billion in constant 2018 prices (26.1% of total Horizon Europe budget). The European Research Council (ERC) will have a budget allocation of €16.0 billion in current prices and €14.18 in constant 2018 prices. This equals 16.75% of the total Horizon Europe budget). The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) will receive €6.60 billion in current prices and €5.85 billion in constant prices (6.9% of Horizon Europe budget).

Pillar II 'Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness' will receive €53.51 billion in current prices, which equals €47.61 billion in constant 2018 prices (56.03% of  Horizon Europe budget).

Pillar III 'Innovative Europe' has a budget allocation of €13.597 billion in current prices, which equals €12.11 billion in constant 2018 prices (14.24% of total Horizon Europe budget). The European Innovation Council (EIC), including European innovation ecosystems, will receive €10.10 billion in current prices and €9.01 billion in constant prices (0.58% of Horizon Europe budget).

The part 'Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area will receive €3.39 billion in current prices, which equals €3.008 billion in constant 2018 prices (3.55% of  Horizon Europe budget).

The Council adopted its first reading position on 16 March 2021. The ITRE committee voted through the final text on 13 April, which was endorsed by the plenary on 27 April. The final act  entered into force on 12 May 2021 as Regulation (EU) 2021/695, and applies retroactively since 1 January 2021.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Commission adopted the Horizon strategic plan for 2025-2027, with three key strategic orientations: a) green transition, b) digital transition, c) amore resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe

In May 2024, the Competitiveness Council adopted a set of conclusions on the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 and future outlook, which will also inform the preparation of the next programme. In October 2024, the independent high level expert group chaired by professor Heitor published its report 'act-align-accelerate', where it notably calls for a reinforced budget of EUR 220 billion for the next EU framework programme.

The full work programme for 2025 is expected to be published early in 2025.

The mission letter to Commissioner-designate for startups, research and innovation Ekaterina Zakarieva invites her to implement Horizon Europe to maximize excellence and impact, whilst further simplifying access to funding, especially for SMEs and small midcaps.

In October 2024, the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe was informed by the report “Act, Align, Accelerate – Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European competitiveness” of a high level expert group. The document outlines four priorities: Promoting competitive excellence; Fostering industrial competitiveness; Supporting societal transformation through research and innovation; Enhancing European research and innovation ecosystems.

 

References:

Further reading:

Author: Clément Evroux, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu

As of 20/11/2024.