Horizon Europe is the world’s largest funding programme for research and innovation (R&I), with a budget of just over €90 billion for 2021-2027. This huge budget is being used to fund ambitious projects that have the potential to improve our society, from curing cancer to tackling climate change.
So, for organisations planning R&D projects that have a focus on solving global challenges, it’s well worth considering. Especially as the funding is a grant, which means you don’t have to pay it back (assuming that the money is used as part of an approved proposal).
In this article, we explain how Horizon Europe provides funding opportunities for bold and innovative research projects that will help to create a better world, with examples of the types of projects that have received funding.
Who can apply for Horizon Europe funding?
Any organisation, whether private or public sector, large business or SME, can apply for Horizon Europe funding – as long as they have the capacity to carry out the proposed research project.
One of the main driving forces behind Horizon Europe funding is improving collaboration between countries, allowing organisations to connect and share knowledge and technology to create innovative solutions to shared problems.
As such, most applications for funding will need a “consortium” of at least three organisations from three different EU or associated countries (at least one must be from the EU). This group should be made up of different types of organisations (e.g., businesses, universities, charities, etc). As long as your consortium meets this requirement, organisations from other non-EU countries can also join your research team.
What types of projects are funded by Horizon Europe?
The European Commission describes Horizon Europe funding as helping “to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [boosting] the EU’s competitiveness and growth.”
In practice, applicants’ projects are categorised into four parts:
Pillar one: Excellent science
Excellent science effectively means anything that strengthens the EU’s scientific knowledge and capabilities.
Pillar two: Global challenges
Global challenges cover advancements in technologies that will help to make a difference to the big issues facing our society, which they categorise as:
- Health
- Culture, creativity & inclusive societies
- Civil security for society
- Digital industry & space
- Climate energy & mobility
- Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture & environment
Pillar three: Innovative Europe
Innovative Europe projects focus on helping to stimulate innovation within the EU, where tech development and knowledge transfer spurs the creation of new markets or ecosystems that can drive growth.
Widening participation & strengthening the European Research Area (ERA)
While not a pillar like the other three, this part looks to fund projects that seek to boost research and innovation in countries with developing economies, creating collaboration opportunities through networking, sharing knowledge and resources, building centres of excellence and helping to boost the careers or researchers in less-research-intensive regions.
What are the goals of Horizon Europe-funded projects?
To help prioritise Horizon Europe’s funding budget, and to spur organisations to set bold goals, the European Commission has identified five different “missions” for projects to tackle, which include:
- Conquering cancer
- Adapting to climate change
- Protecting and restoring the health of our ocean and waters
- Creating climate-neutral and smart cities
- Restoring soil health and boosting sustainable food production
Examples of funded projects
To get a clear sense of the types of projects that Horizons Europe can support, you can browse the list of EU funded projects.
Examples of Irish-led projects that have received funding include developing:
- An integrated software toolbox for improving cybersecurity in IoT-to-cloud computing.
- An intelligent asset management platform to make hydropower plant operations and maintenance more efficient and sustainable.
- Sustainable plant protein crop production and processing systems.
- A 5G-based CNS-as-a-Service (communications, navigation, and surveillance) system for drone air travel in urban areas.
- An online AI discussion platform to increase civic participation in local governance.
How Leyton can help
At Leyton Ireland, we’re passionate supporters of forward-thinking businesses that are trying to create a fairer and more sustainable world through their exciting research projects. As specialists in R&D grant funding, we can review your funding eligibility and help you to prepare a compelling proposal that will meet Horizon Europe’s complex criteria.
Need help with your Horizon Europe application?
Speak to our dedicated Grants team.
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