Commission agrees on Horizon Europe, the future EU research and innovation programme
14th of June 2019
Horizon Europe will build on the achievements and success of the previous research and innovation programme (Horizon 2020) and keep the EU at the forefront of global research and innovation. Horizon Europe is the most ambitious research and innovation programme ever as a budget of €100 billion is proposed for the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027.
Horizon Europe will introduce the following main new features:
- A European Innovation Council (EIC) to help the EU become a frontrunner in market-creating innovation. The Commission's proposal will establish a one-stop shop to bring the most promising high potential and breakthrough technologies from lab to market application, and help the most innovative start-ups and companies scale up their ideas.
- New EU-wide research and innovation missions focusing on societal challenges and industrial competitiveness.
- A new generation of European Partnerships and increased collaboration with other EU programmes. Horizon Europe will streamline the number of partnerships that the EU co-programmes or co-funds with partners like industry, civil society and funding foundations, in order to increase their effectiveness and impact in achieving Europe's policy priorities.
The preliminary political agreement reached by the European Parliament, Council and Commission is now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and Council. However, the Commission will now start preparing Horizon Europe's implementation in order to have the first draft work programmes published in time for the programme's launch on 1 January 2021.
With these plans, EU support for innovation across Europe is guaranteed for the coming years. This offers various possibilities for future cross-country collaborations between innovative companies. If you want to stay informed, please contact one of the Alfa grant experts.