Pillar I — Excellent Science
Strengthens the EU’s science base via the ERC, MSCA and research infrastructures, fostering frontier research and researcher mobility.
Horizon Europe
The European Commission's research and innovation Horizon Europe programme funds our project. Learn more about this programme on this page.
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship programme for research and innovation (2021–2027), with a budget of €95.5 billion. It aims to tackle global challenges, strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological base, and enhance competitiveness through collaboration among researchers, industry and public authorities.
The programme supports excellence, addresses societal needs, and accelerates breakthrough innovations for a resilient, sustainable future.
Programme structure: the three pillars
Pillar II — Global Challenges & Competitiveness
Funds collaborative R&I addressing health, climate, energy, mobility, food, digital and other key societal priorities.
Pillar III — Innovative Europe
Boosts breakthrough innovation and scale-up of deep-tech SMEs and start-ups, notably via the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Key instruments
ERC
Frontier research grants (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy) supporting excellent individual PIs and teams.
MSCA
Researcher mobility, training and career development (Doctoral Networks, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Staff Exchanges, COFUND).
EIC
High-risk, high-impact innovation (Pathfinder, Transition, Accelerator) for deep-tech solutions with scale-up potential.
Who can apply?
Universities, RTOs, companies (incl. SMEs), public authorities and NGOs. Collaborative calls typically require multi-country consortia.
Funding rates
Most R&I actions fund up to 100% of eligible costs (plus indirects at 25%). Innovation actions may have different rates for for-profit entities.
Calls & work programmes
Topics are published in annual/biennial Work Programmes. Each call defines scope, eligibility, budget and deadlines.
Learn more on the official programme page: