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Specific programme implementing Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation 2021–2027

2018/0225(CNS)

The European Parliament adopted by 578 votes to 40, with 41 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission's proposal.

Objectives

The Specific Programme has the following operational objectives:

 

  • strengthening excellent basic and frontier research; reinforcing and spreading excellence, including by fostering wider participation throughout the Union;
  • reinforcing the link between research, innovation, and where appropriate, education and other policies, including complementarities with national and regional and EU research and innovation policies and activities;
  • supporting the implementation of Union policy priorities including in particular the sustainable development goals and the Paris Agreement;
  • promoting responsible research and innovation, taking into account the precautionary principle;
  • strengthening the gender dimension across the Programme;
  • increasing collaboration links in European research and innovation and across sectors and disciplines, including social sciences and humanities ;
  • connecting and developing to research infrastructures across the European Research Area and providing transnational access;
  • fostering open science and ensuring visibility to the public and open access to scientific publications and research data, including appropriate exceptions;
  • improving the relationship and interaction between science and society, including the visibility of science in society and science communication, and promoting the involvement of citizens and end-users in co-design and co-creation processes;
  • accelerating industrial transformation, including through improved skills for innovation;
  • stimulating R&I activities in SMEs and the creation and scale-up of innovative companies, in particular start-ups, SMEs, and in exceptional cases small mid-caps.

Main pillars

The Horizon 2020 programme shall have three main pillars:

 

  • Pillar I: Excellent Science (includes the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and research infrastructures);
  • Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (including the 'Health', 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society', 'Civil Security for Society', 'Digital, Industry and Space ', 'Climate, Energy and Mobility', 'Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment ' clusters and non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC);
  • Pillar III: Innovative Europe (includes the European Innovation Council (EIC);

The Part 'Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area' seeks to widen participation and spread excellence and reform and enhance the European R&I system.

Budget

Parliament proposed that the financial envelope for the implementation of the Specific Programme for the period 2021 to 2027 shall be EUR 120 billion in 2018 prices.

Strategic Plan

The implementation of the Specific Programme shall be facilitated by a multiannual Strategic Plan of research and innovation activities, also promoting consistency between the work programmes, EU priorities and national priorities. The result of the Strategic Planning Process shall be set out in a multiannual Strategic Plan, for preparing the content in the work programmes covering a maximum period of four years, while retaining sufficient flexibility to respond rapidly to new and emerging challenges, unexpected opportunities and crises.

The Strategic Planning Process shall focus in particular on the 'Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness' pillar and cover also relevant activities in other pillars and the Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area part.

The Commission shall ensure early involvement and extensive exchanges with the Member States, and extensive exchanges with the European Parliament, complemented by consultation with stakeholders and the public at large. The Strategic Plan shall be adopted by the Commission, by means of an implementing act

Missions

Research and Innovation Missions may be established in the mission areas identified in Annex Va of the Regulation establishing Horizon Europe.

For each mission, a mission board shall be established, unless existing advisory structures can be used. The mission board shall be composed of a maximum of 15 independent high level individuals with broad expertise, from across Europe and beyond, including relevant end-users' representatives.

The members of the mission boards shall be appointed by the Commission, following a transparent procedure for their identification, including an open call for expressions of interest. The Programme Committee shall be consulted on the identification and selection procedures, including the criteria used, in a timely manner. The term of office of mission board members shall be up to five years, renewable once.