(*) Key achievements in the table state which period they relate to. Many come from the implementation of the predecessor programmes under the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework. This is expected and due to the multiannual life cycle of EU programmes and the projects they finance, where results often follow only after completion of the programmes.
(ℹ) Item corrected after adoption of the AMPR. See also link.
Budget for 2021-2027
(*) Only Article 15(3) of the financial regulation.
Rationale and design of the programme
Horizon Europe is the EU's 7-year research and innovation programme, running from 2021 to 2027. The programme is designed to serve all the political priorities of the European Union.
Research and innovation (R & I) contribute to improving people's lives (e.g. through better healthcare) and work (through better digital services), and to enhancing productivity, competitiveness and job-rich growth. They are also crucial for providing solutions to today's and tomorrow's challenges, for example in terms of the environment and the climate.
It is important, therefore, to further improve the creation and diffusion of high-quality new knowledge and innovation in Europe, reinforce the impact of R & I in the addressing EU's priorities, ensure the more rapid uptake of innovative solutions and, more generally, strengthen the European research area.
Gearing research towards advancing common EU (and indeed global) goals produces social benefits that exceed any private benefits, and indeed even those that flow to any individual Member State that supports such efforts within its borders or by its researchers. Thus, if left to the individual Member States, such research would be carried out at a suboptimal level. Only through action at the EU level can all the positive spillovers be fully realised. Conversely, in order to maximise EU added value, it is important that EU action in this area be squarely focused on objectives and activities that cannot be effectively implemented by Member States acting alone, but only through their cooperation.
Horizon Europe aims to promote scientific excellence and generate new knowledge and technologies, thus contributing to advancing the EU's objectives and policies (in particular in terms of boosting sustainable growth and job creation), tackling global challenges and strengthening the European research area.
Horizon Europe has a budget of around EUR 95.5 billion. This includes EUR 5.41 billion from NextGenerationEU to boost the economic recovery and make the EU more resilient in the future. The Horizon Europe framework programme will also be implemented through the European Defence Fund (for its research strand) and complemented by the Euratom research and training programme.
Horizon Europe seeks to deliver R & I with maximum impact along the following three dimensions.
- Scientific impact. Creating high-quality new knowledge, strengthening human capital in R & I and fostering the diffusion of knowledge and open science.
- Technological/economic impact. Influencing the creation and growth of companies within the EU, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (including start-ups); creating direct and indirect jobs, especially within the EU; and leveraging investment for R & I.
- Societal impact. Addressing the EU's policy priorities and global challenges – including the UN sustainable development goals – following the principles of the United Nations' 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the goals of the Paris Agreement, through R & I; delivering benefits and impact through R & I missions and European partnerships; and strengthening the uptake of innovation in society, ultimately contributing to people's well-being.
Moreover, Horizon Europe is designed to optimise delivery to strengthen the impact and attractiveness of the European research area, to foster excellence-based participation from all Member States, including those performing poorly on R & I, and to facilitate collaborative links in European R & I.
Horizon Europe activities include: fuelling the EU's scientific and technological excellence through the European Research Council; funding fellowships and researchers' mobility; investing in world-class research infrastructure; tackling our biggest societal challenges, including the green and digital transitions and the sustainable development goals; supporting policymaking with independent scientific evidence and technical support; and boosting the EU's innovation uptake, competitiveness and jobs through the European Innovation Council.
Horizon Europe is implemented directly by the European Commission or via designated funding bodies. The programme provides funding for indirect action in any of the forms laid down in the financial regulation, in particular grants (including operating grants), prizes and procurements. It also supports direct action undertaken by the Joint Research Centre.
The impact assessment of Horizon Europe was carried out in 2018.
For further information please consult: https://europa.eu/!Px33mc
Horizon Europe builds on the positive results of its predecessor, Horizon 2020. As a result of the interim evaluation of the Horizon 2020 programme, some changes were made that have been maintained under Horizon Europe, for example the European Innovation Council pilot project launched in 2017 to support breakthrough innovation. In addition, novelties have been introduced in Horizon Europe, notably:
- EU missions, to deliver targeted solutions to societal challenges together with citizens;
- a streamlined approach to European partnerships, to rationalise the funding landscape;
- extended association possibilities, to strengthen international cooperation;
- the open science policy, to reinforce openness;
- widening participation and spreading excellence, to decrease the R & I gap in the EU;
- synergies with other EU programmes and policies, to increase the R & I impact;
- simpler rules, to reduce administrative burdens.
Legal basis
Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Website
Implementation and performance
Budget
Budget programming (million EUR):
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial programming | 11 527.6 | 12 239.2 | 12 273.8 | 12 271.6 | 12 518.6 | 12 770.6 | 13 027.6 | 86 628.9 |
| NextGenerationEU | 1 772.0 | 1 776.8 | 1 829.2 | 12.8 | 9.4 | 7.1 | 4.8 | 5 412.0 |
| Decommitments made available again (*) | 20.0 | 20.0 | ||||||
| Contributions from other countries and entities | 842.0 | p.m. | p.m. | p.m. | p.m. | p.m. | p.m. | 842.0 |
| Total | 14 161.6 | 14 015.9 | 14 103.0 | 12 284.3 | 12 528.0 | 12 777.7 | 13 032.4 | 92 903.0 |
(*) Only Article 15(3) of the financial regulation.
Financial programming:
- EUR 388.1 million (- 0%)
compared to the legal basis (*)
(*) Top-ups pursuant to Art. 5 MFF Regulation are excluded from financial programming in this comparison.
Cumulative implementation rate at the end of 2021 (million EUR):
| Implementation | 2021-2027 Budget | Implementation rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commitments | 13 586.4 | 92 903.0 | 15% |
| Payments | 1 203.7 | 1% |
Voted budget implementation in 2021 (million EUR):
| Voted budget implementation | Initial voted budget | |
|---|---|---|
| Commitments | 11 393.6 | 11 506.5 |
| Payments | 1 138.1 | 1 828.7 |
- 2021 was the first year of implementation for Horizon Europe. The late adoption of the legal basis led to the adoption of the 2021-2022 work programmes and the launching of calls for proposals being postponed.
- 85 of the more than 100 calls for proposals launched in 2021 were closed and fully evaluated by the end of the year.
- 20 892 eligible proposals were submitted under those calls. Although two thirds (66%) of the eligible proposals were above the quality threshold, only 3 110 could be retained due to budgetary constraints, bringing the overall success rate of eligible proposals to 14.9% for the first year of the programme.
- By end of 2021, 19 grant agreements and one framework partnership agreement had been signed for a total EU contribution of EUR 244.0 million shared across various thematic areas.
- Despite the late adoption (at the end of November 2021) of the regulation for the establishment of joint undertakings under Horizon Europe, the Commission was able to make the commitments for seven joint undertakings before the end of the year. A carry-over of the 2021 appropriations (commitment and payment) was only requested for the EU's 2021 financial contribution to Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking and to the Single European Sky ATM Research 3 Joint Undertaking.
Contribution to horizontal priorities
EU budget contribution in 2021 (million EUR):
| Climate | Biodiversity | Gender equality (*) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 750.4 | 1 068.0 | Score 2: 37.7(ℹ) Score 1: 160.0 Score 0*: 11 195.9(ℹ) |
(*) Based on the applied gender contribution methodology, the following scores are attributed at the most granular level of intervention possible:
- 2: interventions the principal objective of which is to improve gender equality;
- 1: interventions that have gender equality as an important and deliberate objective but not as the main reason for the intervention;
- 0: non-targeted interventions;
- 0*: score to be assigned to interventions with a likely but not yet clear positive impact on gender equality.
(ℹ) Item corrected after adoption of the AMPR. See also link.
Performance assessment
| Baseline | Progress (*) | Target | Results | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Europe peer-reviewed scientific publications | 0 | 0% | 150 000 in 2030(ℹ) | 952 compared to a target of 900 in 2021 | On track |
| Researchers involved in upskilling (training, mentoring/coaching, mobility and access to R & I infrastructures) activities in FP projects | 0 | 0%(ℹ) | 590 000 in 2030(ℹ) | 1 104 compared to a target of 1 000 in 2021 | On track |
| Research outputs (open data, publication, software, etc.) shared through open knowledge infrastructure | 0 | 86% | 95% in 2030(ℹ) | 82% | On track |
| Innovative products, processes or methods from framework programme (by type of innovation) and intellectual property rights applications | 0 | 0% | 255 000 in 2027 | 164 | On track |
| Full-time equivalent jobs created, and jobs maintained in beneficiary entities for the framework programme project (by type of job) | 0 | 450 000 in 2027 | No results | No data | |
| Public and private investment mobilised with the initial framework programme investment (EUR billion) | 0 | 16% | 20.0 in 2027 | No results | No data |
| Outputs aimed at addressing identified EU policy priorities and global challenges (including sustainable development goals) (multidimensional: for each identified priority) | 0 | 14% (**) | 100% annually | Target achieved in 2021. 100% compared to a target of 100%. | On track |
| Outputs in specific R & I missions (multidimensional: for each identified mission) | 0 | Under development | No results | No data | |
| Framework programme projects where EU citizens and end users contribute to the co-creation of R & I content | 0 | 2% in 2027 | No results | No data |
(*) % of target achieved by the end of 2021.
(**) % of years for which the milestones or target have been achieved during the 2021-2027 period.
(ℹ) Item corrected after adoption of the AMPR. See also link.
- The first main work programme for Horizon Europe for 2021-2022 aimed at boosting the European green and digital transitions and at contributing to sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and EU resilience against future crises. It also provided support to researchers at all stages of their career for acquiring new knowledge and skills. Additionally, it targeted the creation of better-connected and more efficient innovation ecosystems and world-class research infrastructures. Finally, calls also encouraged participation across Europe and from around the world, while at the same time helping to strengthen the European research area. 2021 also saw the launch of the European Innovation Council's first work programme.
- Regarding non-EU countries' association with Horizon Europe, as of December 2021, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye had applicable association agreements in place. National ratification procedures are expected to enter into force for the association agreements signed with Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (1) and Ukraine. As long as the ratification of the agreement by Ukraine is suspended, Ukraine is eligible for EU funding under Horizon Europe as a low- to middle-income country. The association agreements are yet to be signed with Albania, the Faroes and Tunisia.
- A performance framework using key impact pathways has been designed to monitor the programme's progress towards reaching its general objective. It covers the whole life cycle of a funded R & I activity, from outputs to impacts, depending on the period of time to which indicators are assigned (short, medium or long term). To measure the performance in the first phase of the programme's life cycle, the reporting will concentrate on output indicators.
- After 1 year of programme implementation, results are mainly available from direct actions carried out by the Joint Research Centre.
- In addition, in response to the five calls for proposals relating to the 2021 Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, 9 660 applicants have applied, showing that the scheme has garnered a large amount of interest. The selection results will be announced in 2022.
- The first EU missions were launched in May 2021 (2) to deliver solutions in five cross-sectoral areas where there is an urgent need: adaptation to climate change; cancer; climate-neutral and smart cities; oceans, seas and waters; and soil health and food.
- The EU provided nearly EUR 10 billion of funding to the 10 new institutionalised partnerships established in November 2021 between the European Union, Member States and/or industry. The partners will match the EU funding with at least an equivalent amount of investment. This combined contribution is expected to mobilise additional investment in support of the green and digital transitions and to create long-term positive impacts on employment, the environment and society.
- In June 2021, the Commission also launched 11 new co-programmed partnerships, mostly together with the private sector, to deliver solutions to major societal challenges. In addition, a call for proposals for co-funded partnerships involving public authorities was published in the 2021-2022 work programme.
- In 2021, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology launched the first 'EIT community booster – Scaling New European Bauhaus ventures' call to support the New European Bauhaus initiative in accelerating solutions integrating sustainability (from climate goals to circularity, zero pollution and biodiversity), aesthetics (quality of experience and style, beyond functionality) and inclusion (including diversity first, securing accessibility and affordability). A pilot phase launched for this community booster has already supported 13 ventures with a total of EUR 650 000.
(1) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on European missions, COM(2021) 609.
MFF 2014-2020 – Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 – the eighth framework programme funding research, technological development and innovation – was established as a means of putting the EU at the heart of world-class science and innovation, making it more competitive and creating economic growth and new jobs.
Budget implementation
Cumulative implementation rate at the end of 2021 (million EUR):
| Implementation | 2014-2020 Budget | Implementation rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commitments | 75 616.3 | 75 623.6 | 100% |
| Payments | 61 946.2 | 82% |
- As regards the payment appropriations implemented in 2021, the available appropriations were mainly used to cover the legal obligations of initiatives selected in 2014-2020, including 2 971 final payments allowing the level of payment appropriations still to be implemented to be decreased.
- In order to mitigate the risk of the under-implementation of R & I projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has continued to allow maximum flexibility in relation to the implementation of initiatives. This was the case in particular in relation to accepting, as eligible costs, the costs of hours worked for Horizon 2020 initiatives via teleworking during the pandemic, even where it was not the usual practice of beneficiaries. In addition, the Commission continued to accept extensions to the duration of research projects. This also means that the full implementation of payment appropriations will take longer following the end of the programme.
| Baseline | Progress (*) | Target (**) | Results | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publications in peer-reviewed high-impact journals per EUR 10 million of funding for future and emerging technologies | 0 | 81% | 25 in 2025 | 20.2 out of 25 publications | On track |
| Patent applications in the different enabling and industrial technologies per EUR 10 million of funding | 0 | 28% | 3 in 2025 | 0.85 out of 3 patent applications | Moderate progress |
| Share of participating small and medium-sized enterprises introducing innovations new to the company or the market (covering the period of the project plus 3 years) | 0 | 214% | 50% in 2025 | 107% compared to 50% share | Achieved |
| Publications in peer-reviewed high-impact journals for all societal challenges | 0 | 25% | 20 in 2025 | 5 out of 20 publications | Moderate progress |
| Patent applications and patents awarded for all societal challenges | 0 | 17% | 3 in 2025 | 0.5 out of 3 patent applications | Moderate progress |
| Number of start-up and spin-off companies launched in relation to European Institute of Innovation and Technology activities | 0 | 78% | 600 in 2025 | 466 out of 600 start-ups and spin-offs | On track |
(*) % of target achieved by the end of 2021.
(**) The target is set for the year when the last actions financed under Horizon 2020 will be finished. The final figures will be collected after all of the projects are closed and results reported i.e. several years after the formal end of the programme in 2020.
- Many Horizon 2020 projects are still ongoing, as reflected by the payment rate (82%), which explains why some targets have a deadline after 2020. The Horizon 2020 performance will be measured until the last initiatives financed under Horizon 2020 are finished, i.e. several years after the formal end of the programme in 2020. Overall, Horizon 2020 has made good progress towards achieving scientific impacts by improving R & I capacity, scientific excellence and reputation and by integrating R & I efforts. The results indicate that, in most areas, Horizon 2020 has achieved its targets, and even exceeded them. No indicator deserves attention.
- The initiatives under the programme as far as the 'Excellent science' pillar is concerned are very satisfactory. Since 2014, the share of publications from European Research Council-funded projects among the top 1% most cited has remained high, at about 7 %, considerably exceeding the target of 1.8 %. Future and emerging technologies have already generated more than 20.2 publications in peer-reviewed journals per EUR 10 million of funding, and about one patent per EUR 10 million of funding, thus approaching the targets. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions scheme has exceeded its target of 65 000 researchers, including 25 000 PhDs. Since 2014, 115 053 supported researchers have had access to research infrastructures, including e-infrastructures, both remotely and physically, thus far exceeding the target.
- The initiatives under the 'Industrial leadership' pillar have progressed well. In this respect, projects on leadership in enabling and industrial technologies have produced more than 9 000 public–private publications. 197% of participating firms have introduced innovations 'new to the company or the market' with the potential to generate scientific breakthroughs, which almost meets the target of 200% (including private companies beyond the beneficiaries involved in the project). As regards patents, the result of 0.85 patent application per EUR 10 million of funding shows that it is progressing slowly towards the target of 3. This is normal, since patents are generally filed at the end of projects. Under the 'access to risk finance' activities, more than 32 000 organisations have been funded, and the total investment mobilised via debt financing and venture capital investments is EUR 71 billion, exceeding the targets. The instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises have generated around 2 545 jobs.
- On the other hand, the 'Societal challenges' pillar shows moderate progress. So far, the initiatives under this pillar have generated about 9 910 public–private publications and 83 900 innovations, including prototypes and testing activities. However, the number of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals per EUR 10 million of funding and the number of patent applications per EUR 10 million of funding are lower than the respective targets. Nevertheless, we expect to see better performance results following the end of the projects, when publications and patents generally start to be produced.