January 23, 2025
What is Horizon Europe?
January 23, 2025
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the EU’s largest research and innovation funding programme. But what does it cover, who can apply, and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. With a budget of €95.5 billion (2021–2027), it’s one of the most ambitious funding initiatives in the world, aiming to tackle major societal challenges, accelerate scientific excellence, and foster innovation across Europe.
If you're a researcher, startup, SME, university, NGO, or public body, Horizon Europe is likely the biggest opportunity for funding your innovative projects.
Why Does Horizon Europe Exist?
The programme builds on the success of its predecessor, Horizon 2020, and focuses on delivering impact through missions, partnerships, and strategic objectives tied to EU priorities such as:
Climate neutrality and sustainability
Digital transformation
Health and well-being
Economic resilience and innovation leadership
It’s about turning world-class research into real-world solutions that benefit people, society, and the planet.
Key Pillars of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is divided into three main pillars:
1. Excellent Science
Supports frontier research, advanced training, and research infrastructure.
Main programmes:
European Research Council (ERC)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Research Infrastructures
2. Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness
Funds collaborative research tackling societal challenges and industrial leadership.
Key areas:
Health
Culture & creativity
Civil security
Digital, industry & space
Climate, energy, mobility
Food, bioeconomy & environment
This is where Horizon Europe Pillar 2 projects typically fall — the sweet spot for collaborative consortia.
3. Innovative Europe
Focuses on scaling innovation through the European Innovation Council (EIC), European Innovation Ecosystems, and European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).
Who Can Apply?
Horizon Europe is open to a wide range of entities:
Universities and research centers
Startups, SMEs, and large companies
NGOs and non-profits
Public administrations
International organizations
Collaborative projects often require international consortia with partners from at least 3 EU or associated countries.
How to Get Started
Identify relevant calls on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Find partners (especially for Pillar 2 projects)
Develop your proposal according to the call topic and evaluation criteria
Submit via the portal
Understanding the structure, budget, and evaluation process is essential, as is building a strong, well-aligned consortium.
Tips for Success
Start early – Calls are highly competitive and take months to prepare
Read the Work Programme – Calls are aligned with EU strategic goals
Focus on impact – EU evaluators want to see how your work changes the world
Be strategic – Link your proposal to EU policies and missions
Seek support – From national contact points, experienced partners, or services like Timbi 😉
What Is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. With a budget of €95.5 billion (2021–2027), it’s one of the most ambitious funding initiatives in the world, aiming to tackle major societal challenges, accelerate scientific excellence, and foster innovation across Europe.
If you're a researcher, startup, SME, university, NGO, or public body, Horizon Europe is likely the biggest opportunity for funding your innovative projects.
Why Does Horizon Europe Exist?
The programme builds on the success of its predecessor, Horizon 2020, and focuses on delivering impact through missions, partnerships, and strategic objectives tied to EU priorities such as:
Climate neutrality and sustainability
Digital transformation
Health and well-being
Economic resilience and innovation leadership
It’s about turning world-class research into real-world solutions that benefit people, society, and the planet.
Key Pillars of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is divided into three main pillars:
1. Excellent Science
Supports frontier research, advanced training, and research infrastructure.
Main programmes:
European Research Council (ERC)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Research Infrastructures
2. Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness
Funds collaborative research tackling societal challenges and industrial leadership.
Key areas:
Health
Culture & creativity
Civil security
Digital, industry & space
Climate, energy, mobility
Food, bioeconomy & environment
This is where Horizon Europe Pillar 2 projects typically fall — the sweet spot for collaborative consortia.
3. Innovative Europe
Focuses on scaling innovation through the European Innovation Council (EIC), European Innovation Ecosystems, and European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).
Who Can Apply?
Horizon Europe is open to a wide range of entities:
Universities and research centers
Startups, SMEs, and large companies
NGOs and non-profits
Public administrations
International organizations
Collaborative projects often require international consortia with partners from at least 3 EU or associated countries.
How to Get Started
Identify relevant calls on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Find partners (especially for Pillar 2 projects)
Develop your proposal according to the call topic and evaluation criteria
Submit via the portal
Understanding the structure, budget, and evaluation process is essential, as is building a strong, well-aligned consortium.
Tips for Success
Start early – Calls are highly competitive and take months to prepare
Read the Work Programme – Calls are aligned with EU strategic goals
Focus on impact – EU evaluators want to see how your work changes the world
Be strategic – Link your proposal to EU policies and missions
Seek support – From national contact points, experienced partners, or services like Timbi 😉
Horizon Europe is the EU’s largest research and innovation funding programme. But what does it cover, who can apply, and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. With a budget of €95.5 billion (2021–2027), it’s one of the most ambitious funding initiatives in the world, aiming to tackle major societal challenges, accelerate scientific excellence, and foster innovation across Europe.
If you're a researcher, startup, SME, university, NGO, or public body, Horizon Europe is likely the biggest opportunity for funding your innovative projects.
Why Does Horizon Europe Exist?
The programme builds on the success of its predecessor, Horizon 2020, and focuses on delivering impact through missions, partnerships, and strategic objectives tied to EU priorities such as:
Climate neutrality and sustainability
Digital transformation
Health and well-being
Economic resilience and innovation leadership
It’s about turning world-class research into real-world solutions that benefit people, society, and the planet.
Key Pillars of Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is divided into three main pillars:
1. Excellent Science
Supports frontier research, advanced training, and research infrastructure.
Main programmes:
European Research Council (ERC)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Research Infrastructures
2. Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness
Funds collaborative research tackling societal challenges and industrial leadership.
Key areas:
Health
Culture & creativity
Civil security
Digital, industry & space
Climate, energy, mobility
Food, bioeconomy & environment
This is where Horizon Europe Pillar 2 projects typically fall — the sweet spot for collaborative consortia.
3. Innovative Europe
Focuses on scaling innovation through the European Innovation Council (EIC), European Innovation Ecosystems, and European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).
Who Can Apply?
Horizon Europe is open to a wide range of entities:
Universities and research centers
Startups, SMEs, and large companies
NGOs and non-profits
Public administrations
International organizations
Collaborative projects often require international consortia with partners from at least 3 EU or associated countries.
How to Get Started
Identify relevant calls on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Find partners (especially for Pillar 2 projects)
Develop your proposal according to the call topic and evaluation criteria
Submit via the portal
Understanding the structure, budget, and evaluation process is essential, as is building a strong, well-aligned consortium.
Tips for Success
Start early – Calls are highly competitive and take months to prepare
Read the Work Programme – Calls are aligned with EU strategic goals
Focus on impact – EU evaluators want to see how your work changes the world
Be strategic – Link your proposal to EU policies and missions
Seek support – From national contact points, experienced partners, or services like Timbi 😉
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