Horizon Europe, the EU’s largest research and innovation programme, operates with a comprehensive framework designed to drive scientific excellence, address societal challenges, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness. The framework approach encompasses strategic planning, programmatic pillars, cross-cutting principles, and robust implementation mechanisms. Here’s an overview of the Horizon Europe framework approach:
1. Strategic Planning
Purpose:
– To align research and innovation activities with the EU’s overarching policy priorities.
– To ensure coherence and coordination across the programme’s diverse activities and funding instruments.
Components:
– Strategic Plan: Provides direction for the programme, defining key priorities and expected impacts over a multi-annual period.
– Work Programmes: Biennial work programmes detail specific calls for proposals, funding opportunities, and thematic areas.
2. Programmatic Pillars
Horizon Europe is structured around three main pillars, each addressing distinct aspects of research and innovation:
Pillar I: Excellent Science
– Objective: To reinforce and extend the excellence of the EU’s science base.
– Instruments:
– European Research Council (ERC): Funds frontier research by the best researchers.
– Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA): Supports researcher mobility and training.
– Research Infrastructures: Provides access to world-class facilities and resources.
Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
– Objective: To address societal challenges and enhance industrial competitiveness through collaborative research.
– Clusters:
– 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
Pillar III: Innovative Europe
– Objective: To foster market-creating innovation and enhance European innovation ecosystems.
– Instruments:
– European Innovation Council (EIC): Supports breakthrough innovations.
– European Innovation Ecosystems: Strengthens connections between innovation players.
– European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Integrates education, research, and innovation.
3. Cross-Cutting Principles
1. Inclusiveness and Openness:
– Broad participation of all EU regions and countries.
– Inclusion of diverse stakeholders, including academia, industry, SMEs, and civil society.
2. Sustainability and Impact:
– Focus on sustainable development goals (SDGs).
– Ensuring long-term societal and economic impact through research and innovation.
3. Synergies and Complementarities:
– Alignment with other EU programmes and policies, such as Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and the European Structural and Investment Funds.
– Maximizing the impact of EU investments through coordinated actions and shared objectives.
4. Simplification and Accessibility:
– Streamlined processes and simplified rules for participation.
– Enhanced accessibility for newcomers and smaller organizations.
4. Implementation Mechanisms
1. Calls for Proposals:
– Competitive calls for proposals addressing specific thematic areas and challenges.
– Open and transparent evaluation process based on excellence, impact, and implementation criteria.
2. Partnerships and Missions:
– European Partnerships: Collaborative initiatives between the EU, Member States, industry, and other stakeholders to address specific challenges.
– EU Missions: Ambitious, goal-oriented initiatives tackling grand societal challenges with measurable targets (e.g., climate-neutral cities, cancer, oceans, soil health, and climate adaptation).
3. Monitoring and Evaluation:
– Continuous monitoring of projects and programmes to ensure they meet objectives and deliver impact.
– Regular evaluations to inform future strategic planning and policy adjustments.
The Horizon Europe framework approach is designed to create a cohesive and impactful research and innovation ecosystem in Europe. By strategically aligning with EU priorities, leveraging collaborative efforts, and fostering inclusiveness and sustainability, Horizon Europe aims to drive scientific breakthroughs, address global challenges, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.