Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s seven-year research and innovation programme, running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of €95.5 billion. The programme’s general objective is to deliver scientific, technological, economic and societal impact from the Union’s investments in R&I, to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the Union, and foster its competitiveness.
Horizon funding update February 2023
This update gives an overview of:
- Funding still available to UK researchers through the Horizon Europe (2021-27) programme
- The current situation regarding UK association to the scheme and funding of successful bids.
Horizon funding structure:
Horizon Europe has 3 pillars -
- Excellent Science pillar supports frontier research projects designed and driven by researchers through the European Research Council (ERC). It also funds fellowships and a mobility of researchers through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and invests in world-class research infrastructures.
- Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness pillar supports research into societal challenges, reinforces technological and industrial capacities, and sets EU-wide missions with ambitious goals tackling some of our biggest problems (health, climate change, clean energy, mobility, security, digital, materials, etc.).
- Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness pillar supports research into societal challenges, reinforces technological and industrial capacities, and sets EU-wide missions with ambitious goals tackling some of our biggest problems (health, climate change, clean energy, mobility, security, digital, materials, etc.)
New calls will be announced over the coming months for opportunities in the 2023/24 Work Programme, which was confirmed in December 2022.
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Pillar 1: Excellent Science |
European Research Council (ERC)
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Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness |
Consortium funding grants grouped into 6 clusters:
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Pillar 3: Innovative Europe |
European institute of technology and innovation - Knowledge and innovation community
European Innovation Ecosystems
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Euratom |
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Copernicus |
Horizon Missions –
In addition to the 6 clusters for collaborative bids in pillar 2 highlighted above, the European Commission has also recently announced five overarching Missions.
The 5 EU Missions
3. Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
4. 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030
These calls offer the opportunity for research in specific areas but also offer cross-disciplinary opportunities. These may suit researchers/groups who already have existing partnerships with European researchers or want to build collaborative research projects.
When do calls open/close?
Calls for the next round of the 2023/4 work programme close between September 2023 and March 2024 depending on the pillar.
Association with Horizon Europe (2021-27) what is the current position?
The UK associated with Horizon Europe subject to the ratification of the Trade and Cooperation agreement between the UK and EU in April 2021. However, ratification still depends, mainly upon the Northern Ireland Trade agreement being agreed. Up until that decision, UK applicants can still apply as a beneficiary for projects described above.
Can I still apply for Horizon funding?
Yes! UK researchers can still apply for Horizon Europe funding as an individual (ERC grants/ Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions) and as members of a consortium (Pillar 2 and 3). This must be done as a beneficiary. All of the schemes listed in the table above are eligible to UK researchers.
UK researchers can still apply as a project coordinator or work package leader (in consortium).
This is clearly stated in a European Commission communication (22.12.2022)
“...UK applicants are treated as if the UK is an associated country throughout the process, from admissibility and eligibility to evaluation, up until the preparation of grant agreements. However, grant agreements can only be signed if the association has come into force. The same treatment is also granted to any applicants from other associated countries currently engaged with the European Commission in an active process of association.”
What happens if a grant is awarded before association is ratified?
The UK government has set aside guarantee funding to pay for UK researchers successful in grant applications for Horizon funded projects. This funding is sought at the point that the Grant Agreement is to be signed.
At that point:
- The UK partner applies for the UK Guarantee funding from UKRI.
- Successful applicants cede any coordinator role to a European partner but can still act as a work package leader.
The guarantee will now be in place to cover all Horizon Europe calls that close on or before 30 June 2023.
Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European programmes
What happens if the UK does not associate with Horizon Europe?
If association with Horizon is not ratified the UK will gain Third Country status, which means:
- UK researchers are limited to applications to funding in Pillar 2
- UK researchers are limited to grant calls which allow applications from Third Countries.
- UK researchers can still apply in consortium with other EU researchers as long as the number of EU partners meets the minimum criteria (usually 3).
- EU funding will be replaced by the UK government from funding announced in December 2022.
- Where grant rules prevent UK researchers from being directly involved in a Horizon bid it is possible to participate as third parties e.g. as sub-contractors.
- Funding for ERC and MSCA awards in Pillar 1 and calls in Pillar 3 are to be replaced by the research funding announced in December 2022. This includes in – flight applications.
To mitigate the loss of Horizon funding the UK government has backed a Plan B financial solution, which we have been reassured by UKRO will come into play seamlessly if the UK does not associate to Horizon Europe.
In July 2022 the UK government set out a package of transitional funding measures including:
- Ongoing support for successful, in-flight UK-based applicants to Horizon
- Continued Third Country Participation in Horizon Europe
In addition, in November 2022 £0.5 billion research funding for the UK R&D sector was announced to provide targeted support
“For staff retention and local talent strategies at eligible universities and research organisations, Ensure the UK labs remain world-class and at the cutting edge of R&D
This secures UK government funding for successful applicants to Horizon calls as a Third Country up until at least 31/3/2025.
How can I continue to maintain relationships with European research groups?
During this period of ongoing uncertainty over Horizon association, it is important to continue applications for funding through Horizon Europe. It is also important to maintain networks with European colleagues, with the aim of applying to work in consortium with European researchers. To assist in maintaining these relationships there are a number of funds available to UK researchers to develop and maintain research networks with European partners.
PUBLISHED WORK PROGRAMMES:
PILLAR 1
Research Infrastructure Work programme
PILLAR 2
Cluster 1 Health
Cluster 2 Culture creativity and inclusive society
Cluster 3 Civil security for Society
Cluster 4 Digital, Industry & Space
Cluster 5 Climate, Energy & Mobility
Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment
PILLAR 3