Strategic plan for Horizon Europe
The European Commission has accepted the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe, which sets out research and innovation priorities for a sustainable future.
The Strategic Plan was prepared through an extensive co-design process involving the European Parliament, Member States, stakeholders and the public at large. Starting in the summer of 2019, the European Commission carried out extensive co-design activities, inviting anyone with an interest in EU research and innovation priorities, anywhere in the world, to take part in the consultation on the first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan.
At different stages of the strategic planning process, more than 8000 proposals were submitted, which were collected through web-based surveys.
The Strategic Plan sets out the strategic orientations for the direction of the €95.5 billion investment. The strategic planning process focuses in particular on the second pillar of the Horizon Europe programme — “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness”, but also covers relevant activities in other pillars and part of “Enhancing participation and strengthening the European Research Area”.
The strategic plan contains:
Key strategic orientations to support research and innovation and their targeted impact
Definition of European partnerships and jointly programmed partnerships
Definition of EU missions
Directions of international cooperation
Focus on specific issues such as social and human sciences, role of key technologies, etc.
The strategic plan defines four strategic orientations for investment in research and innovation under Horizon Europe for four years:
Promoting open strategic autonomy by steering the development of key digital technologies, sectors and value chains
Restoring European ecosystems and biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources
Establishing a digital, climate-neutral and sustainable economy for Europe
Building a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society
The Strategic Plan also identifies European partnerships in which the EU, national authorities and/or the private sector jointly commit to support the development and implementation of a research and innovation agenda.
The aim of European partnerships is to contribute to the achievement of EU priorities, address the challenges outlined in Horizon Europe and strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
The partnerships will cover important areas such as energy, transport, biodiversity, health, nutrition and circularity, will aim to improve preparedness and response to infectious diseases, develop efficient low-carbon aircraft for clean aviation or improve animal health.
The European Research Council (ERC) offers grants to leading researchers from anywhere in the world who are willing to carry out collaborative research in Europe and within their own country to achieve their breakthrough scientific and technological discoveries that can form the basis of new industries, markets and social innovations.
- ERC starting grants — grants of up to 1.5 million euros for 5 years for researchers with 2–7 years of experience after obtaining a PhD or doctorate
- ERC consolidator grants — grants of up to 2 million euros for 5 years for leading researchers with 7–12 years of experience after obtaining a PhD or doctorate
- ERC advanced grants — grants of up to 2.5 million euros for 5 years for recognized researchers with significant scientific achievements
- ERC proof of concept — a one–off grant of €150,000 for ERC grant holders to explore the commercial or social potential of a project
- Synergy grants — grants up to 10 million euros for 6 years to solve scientific problems through the coordinated work of a small group of 2–4 researchers
Throughout the EU's long—term budget, the European Research Council is to receive more than €16 billion from Horizon Europe, an increase of 22% compared to Horizon 2020.
Competitions under the program will be held according to the calendar of work programs of each of the directions.