Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation with a total budget of €95.5 billion. Horizon Europe builds upon previous European research frameworks, most recently Horizon 2020.

If you are looking for information about a current or recent Horizon 2020 grant, please refer to our Horizon 2020 information.

IMPORTANT NEWS - The UK has associated to Horizon Europe

Following an announcement on 7 September and 4 December 2023, the UK has now formally associated with Horizon Europe. This allows UK researchers to regain leadership roles in Horizon Europe projects and have confidence in future funding.

The joint statement from the European Commission and the UK government summarises the effect of this long-awaited outcome from negotiations:

“UK researchers will be able to fully participate in the Horizon Europe programme on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries, including leading consortia, from the 2024 Work Programmes and onwards – including any 2024 calls opening this year (2023).

For calls from the 2023 Work Programmes, the European Commission will continue to administer transitional arrangements [with UK organisations applying as beneficiaries and becoming Associated Partners at the granting stage] and the UK will continue to provide funding under the UK Guarantee.”

Why is this good news?
Many UK researchers have been frozen out of Horizon Europe bids due to a misconception that the UK cannot participate, or have been reluctant to devote time and energy to proposals whilst the longer term funding position has been unclear. Formal association to Horizon Europe provides the certainty that the higher education sector (in the UK and overseas) has been seeking and provides confidence that funding is available for the remainder of Horizon Europe.

The UK is now in a stronger position within consortia as UK researchers can lead projects. The arrangements also support greater researcher mobility. Award stage contracting and post-award reporting are simplified because the UK is now participating on the same terms as other Associated Countries. The UK counts towards the minimum number of countries required to meet eligibility rules for applications for transnational / consortium-based projects.

This deal allows DSIT to free up funding for wider R&D investments. Some elements of the ‘Pioneer Programme’ (the UK’s plan B if association did not happen) are likely to shape future research strategy and may now be complementary to Horizon Europe rather than an alternative. DSIT is also planning support for building back the UK’s participation in European research projects. DSIT will be developing tools and working collaboratively on a series of plans to kickstart participation and share the message across Europe. DSIT is also working to ensure that the UK increases its influence in shaping future European research strategy, including the direction of Horizon Europe in 2025-2027 and its successor programme (to which the UK would also plan to associate).

The association applies to research infrastructures as part of Horizon Europe - DSIT is keen that the UK retains access to infrastructures and will prepare guidance.
The agreement also applies to Copernicus - the Earth observation programme (but not to Euratom).

What does this mean in practice?
Horizon Europe is already running so some transitional arrangements will apply, as outlined below.

SUCCESS IN SPECIFIC CALLS

Successful applicant to 2021, 2022 or 2023 Work Programme grant calls

ANY CHANGES?

UK participation is funded by the UK guarantee for the project/fellowship duration (no changes)

Successful applicant to 2024 Work Programme (calls with a 2024 identifier)

Projects will be funded by the European Commission

Successful applicant to the 2025 and later calls

Projects will be funded by the European Commission

Formal association to Horizon Europe means that staff will be able to lead projects for the vast majority of calls and obtain EU funding - making consortia easier to manage and providing stability and reassurance to all partners that the UK’s position is confirmed from the start of proposal development onwards.

How do I know if I am applying to a 2023 or a 2024 call?

Some 2023 calls close in 2024, and some 2024 calls closed in 2023! However it is easy to check which set of rules your project falls under - as explained in the Government’s announcement.

“Every Horizon funding call has a call identification (ID) number, which sets out which programme year it belongs to. This number is set out clearly for each call in the Work Programme and on the EU’s Funding and Tenders portal website.

If the call ID includes ‘2023,’ the call is part of the 2023 Work Programme and [will] be covered by the UK government guarantee. If the call ID includes ‘2024,’ the call will be part of the 2024 Work Programme”.

Are there any exceptions?
The UK's association does not extend to Euratom. Instead £650m of UK funding will be used to support UK research, including international collaborations.

There are a very small number of calls with restrictions on which countries can participate. The UK will work collaboratively with the EU on determining the UK’s role (if any) in these. For example, some calls with significant security/defence issues and for a limited part of the European Innovation Council's investment portfolio.

Where can I find out more information?
This document from the government explains the arrangements and any updates.

To hear more about the UK’s association to Horizon Europe and the 2024 opportunities please see our Horizon Europe Events page (and 2023 archive).

Full information about calls is available in the Work Programmes for each area of Horizon Europe and via the portal. UKRO’s digest emails are a valuable and accessible resource containing the latest news and events.

For reference:

The current UK funding guarantee

Prior to these developments the University could participate in Horizon Europe applications with the same rights and on the same terms as EU participants. However, UK participants cannot sign grant agreements or act as formal co-ordinators, nor receive EU funding. The UK introduced measures to protect the UK's involvement until formal association took place. A guarantee of UK funding is in place for all successful applications submitted (to 2021, 2022 and 2023 calls) involving the UK

Faculty research support teams can help with arrangements for drawing down this funding.

Horizon Europe Structure

Diagram showing three pillars of the Horizon Europe Programme: Excellent Science, Global Challenges and European research competitiveness and Innovative Europe

Horizon Europe isn’t limited to European and Associated Countries - there are opportunities for Low and Middle-Income countries to participate with funding, including a new Africa Initiative.

View the current live calls in the Funding and Tenders portal

Further information

Support for Horizon Europe

The expectation is that the University will support Horizon Europe based on current resources and within existing teams (not a separate, dedicated team). These web pages provide signposting information, including links to useful external web pages, and training activities for staff. Applicants should contact their usual research support colleague(s) to discuss application plans.