EU's €77 billion research fund open for business
Published: 20 December 2013
Europe’s biggest single pot of research funds, worth approximately €77 billion, opens this month. The Horizon 2020 programme was given the go-ahead last month.
The Horizon 2020 programme was finally approved by Science Ministers from EU countries, meeting in the Competitiveness Council on 2 and 3 December 2013, marking the final step in the long decision-making and approval process for the new programme. The first Horizon 2020 calls were launched on 11 December 2013, in advance of the formal start date of the new programme on 1 January 2014.
Horizon 2020 is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation and will run for seven years from 1 January 2014. It is the follow-on programme from FP7 and is the major research funding source for the EU.
The Programme contains a number of different sub-programmes and mechanisms, and is based on a structure of three pillars:
1. Excellent Science (~€24.4b) which includes bottom-up funding schemes such as:
- The European Research Council (ERC) – funding for basic research for excellent researchers at different stages of their career. This scheme continues from FP7 but with funding for a greater number of projects.
- Future Emerging Technologies (FET) - a funding mechanism for collaborative ‘high risk’ research under three different streams.
- The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) - funding mobility, training and career development in academia, industry and other non-academic sectors through cross border individual fellowships and multi-partner training networks.
2. Industrial Leadership (~€17b) the most industry and innovation focussed part of Horizon 2020 with many opportunities for applied, collaborative research, especially under the so-called Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), including ICT, Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing and for research and innovation in the area of Space.
3. Societal Challenges (~€29.7b) the overall aim of this pillar is to tackle the major societal challenges listed below. Funding is predominantly for collaborative projects, following a top-down approach with two-year work programmes of defined, challenge-based topics. Most projects will require a broad approach in terms of disciplines and the inclusion of a range of stakeholders.
- Health, demographic change and well-being
- Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy
- Secure, clean and efficient energy
- Smart, green and integrated transport
- Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
- Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
- Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens
The first deadlines for Horizon 2020 are in March 2014, with planned deadlines now published covering 2014 and 2015.
The university has made a significant investment in the support team for European funding as part of the strategic objective of increasing the level of funding won from Europe. This increased support will increase the number of projects the team can assist with and the level of support available, making the process easier for academics. The team can help with identifying appropriate European funding opportunities, developing bids, costing, managing subsequent projects and financial reporting. Anyone interested in finding out more about Horizon 2020 and other sources of European funding should contact the EU & International Team in the Research Support Office:
First published: 20 December 2013
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