Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is open to a wide range of organisations from EU member states and associated countries, including start-ups, SMEs, universities, research institutes and large companies. The EU sets high standards, as only the most innovative projects qualify for this funding. Bear in mind that competition is strong and only the best, high-calibre projects will be awarded funding. Ignite Group is glad to advise you on your chances and on how this programme works.

Horizon Europe (2021-2027) is the successor to the well-known Horizon 2020 scheme. It is Europe’s framework programme for research and innovation. With Horizon Europe the European Commission aims to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, and it challenges business and academia to devise solutions together for societal questions at international level.

The European Commission has made €97.6 billion available for this seven-year programme. The level of funding depends heavily on the type of project. The grant reimburses the costs incurred — in many cases in full (100%), or a share of the costs incurred.

Horizon Europe can be applied for alongside other internationally oriented grants, such as:

• DHI grant (Demonstration projects, Feasibility studies and Investment preparation projects)
• Eurostars (European funding of innovation programmes)
• SIB grant (Starters International Business)

A successful application to this European fund falls under one of the programme’s three pillars.

Excellent Science: science at the highest level:

This pillar focuses on the quality of science, bringing it to or keeping it at the highest level. It also aims to make Europe more attractive to researchers.

Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness:

As with Horizon 2020, the focus here is on major challenges at European and global level. This pillar should contribute to a strong European industrial sector and more employment.

Innovative Europe:

The third pillar of this programme focuses on innovation to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness.

The conditions for taking part in Horizon Europe vary per call for proposals and per specific programme strand. Here are some general conditions and features of the programme:

• Participants: Horizon Europe is open to universities, research institutes, companies (including SMEs), NGOs and other organisations. Individual researchers can also take part, for example through European Research Council (ERC) grants.
• Consortia: many projects require an international consortium. This means partners from different EU member states or associated countries (at least three) working together on a project.
• Funding: funding is usually a grant reimbursing a percentage of the eligible costs. This percentage can vary depending on the type of organisation and the type of activity.
• Calls for proposals: the European Commission publishes calls setting out the specific themes and criteria. Participants must submit their proposals by the stated deadlines and in line with the call’s guidelines.
• Work programmes: Horizon Europe has detailed work programmes describing the specific research areas and objectives for a given period. These work programmes govern the calls for proposals.
• International cooperation: Horizon Europe encourages international cooperation, including with countries outside the EU and associated countries.
• Open Science: participants are encouraged to make their research results publicly accessible, in line with the principles of open science and open access.
• Ethics and regulation: all projects must meet ethical standards and regulations, including EU data protection rules and environmental law.
• Reporting and audit: participants must report regularly on the progress of their project and may be subject to financial audits.

For the most up-to-date information and specific conditions, get in touch. Our experts at Ignite Group draw on 25 years of experience with practically every scheme and grant, at every level.

Horizon Europe publishes calls for proposals, inviting researchers, companies and other organisations to submit project proposals that match the programme’s specific objectives.

Every call has an opening and a closing date. The application must be submitted within that period.

Ignite Group can take practically the entire process off your hands and support you throughout.

What kind of activities might that involve?

• Assessing whether your project is eligible for Horizon Europe.
• If so, you get support with writing and submitting.
• Support in setting up the collaboration agreement with other organisations.
• Submitting the grant application to the funding body on time and in line with the latest funding legislation and conditions.
• Acting as the point of contact towards the funding body.
• Answering the funding body’s questions about the application.

Setting up the project administration and supporting you in maintaining the grant records.