Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union initiative which is aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness. It is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme with budget of nearly €80 billion for 7 years (2014 to 2020), succeeding seven previous Framework Programmes.
The main objective of Horizon 2020 is to strengthen the European economy, stimulate knowledge and innovation, and provide funding for research and development. In this context, the EU has identified seven priority areas where targeted investment in research and innovation can have a real impact on the wellbeing of citizens:
- Health, demographic change and wellbeing
- Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
- Secure, clean and efficient energy
- Smart, green and integrated transport
- Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
- Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
- Secure societies – protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens
Horizon 2020 Programme has been designed in an inclusive way with only one set of simplified rules and procedures to follow. This means that everyone can apply.
For more information read Horizon 2020 in brief.
In the final year of the programme, with annual tranche – €11 billion, the Commission will seek greater impact of its research funding by focusing on fewer, but crucial, topics such as climate change, clean energy, plastics, cybersecurity and the digital economy.
As the end of the programme is approaching, The Commission has already published its proposal for Horizon Europe, an ambitious €100 billion research and innovation programme that will succeed Horizon 2020. The EU institutions reached a provisional agreement on Horizon Europe on 20 March 2019 and the European Parliament endorsed the provisional agreement on 17 April 2019.
More about the proposal read here.
