Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation 2021–2027

2018/0224(COD)

The Council adopted its position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013.

The proposed Regulation aims to establish the ‘Horizon Europe’ Programme for Research and Innovation for the duration of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and to define the rules for participation and dissemination of results applicable to indirect actions under the programme.

Overall objective

The objective of the new programme is to:

- deliver scientific, technological, economic and societal impact from EU investment in research and innovation, in order to strengthen the Union's scientific and technological bases and to foster the development of the Union's competitiveness in all Member States, including that of its industry

- deliver on the EU’s strategic priorities and tackle global challenges, in particular by pursuing the objectives of sustainable development in accordance with the principles of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change;

- strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technologies circulate freely.

The programme would thus maximise the EU's added value by focusing on objectives and activities that can be achieved effectively not by Member States acting alone, but in cooperation. It should contribute to achieving an overall investment target of at least 3% of the Union's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in research and development.

Structure of the programme

The new programme would be structured around the following pillars:

- Pillar I ‘Science for excellence’ would continue to foster scientific excellence through the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships and exchanges and research infrastructures;

- Pillar II ‘Global Issues and Industrial Competitiveness’, grouping the following clusters: (i) ‘Health’; (ii) ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’; (iii) ‘Civil Security for Society’; (iv) ‘Digital, Industry and Space’; (v) ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’; (vi) ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’; (vii) the non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC). Social sciences and humanities would play an important role in all clusters;

- Pillar III ‘Innovative Europe’ would encourage innovation primarily in SMEs, including start-ups, through the creation of a European Innovation Council (EIC) focusing on radical and disruptive innovation, promote the strengthening of European innovation ecosystems and support the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT);

- Pillar IV ‘Widening participation, spreading excellence and strengthening the ERA’ would support activities that contribute to attracting talent and preventing brain drain, as well as activities to improve the quality of proposals from legal entities in countries with low R&I performance.

Cross-cutting elements

The Council's position also provides for:

- the encouragement of 'open science' as an approach to the scientific process based on collaborative work and the dissemination of knowledge;

- strengthening international cooperation and opening up to new partners, while maintaining excellence as the main selection criterion;

- a streamlined approach to European partnerships;

- limiting or excluding the participation of legal entities in order to protect the EU's strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security;

- a mission-oriented approach to organising large-scale, high-ambition initiatives that enable the programme to have a transformative and systemic impact on society;

- simplified rules, greater legal certainty and reduced administrative burden for beneficiaries and programme managers;

- greater synergy with other EU programmes to promote faster dissemination and uptake of research and innovation results.

Budget

The financial envelope for the implementation of the framework programme for the period 2021-2027 should amount to EUR 95.5 billion in current prices. This amount includes revenue from fines, EU funds from the European Recovery Instrument (Next Generation EU) and replenishment from decommitments.

For the 'regular' financial envelope, the indicative breakdown of this amount would be as follows:

- EUR 23.5 billion for Pillar I ‘Science for Excellence’;

- EUR 47.4 billion for Pillar II ‘Global Issues and European Industrial Competitiveness’;

- EUR 11.9 billion for Pillar III ‘Innovative Europe’;

- EUR 3.2 billion for ‘Widening Participation and Strengthening the ERA' part of the Programme’.