Horizon Europe Programme

What is Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe, the 9th Framework Programme of the European Union (EU), aims to support scientific and innovation activities with a budget of €95.5 billion for the period 2021-2027.

The EU promotes all research activities in line with its goals to strengthen the scientific and technological foundations of the Union and enhance its competitiveness by establishing a European research area where researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology circulate freely. This support mechanism has been carried out since 1984 through multi-annual R&D and innovation financial support programmes known as framework programmes. Türkiye has also participated in these multi-annual framework programmes in the field of R&D and innovation since 2003.

Türkiye’s Participation in the Programme
Türkiye has been participating in the EU’s framework programmes for science and research since the 6th Framework Programme (FP). Most recently, Türkiye joined Horizon Europe, known as the 9th FP for the 2021-2027 period, under a participation agreement signed on October 27, 2021, which came into force with its publication in the Official Gazette on November 16, 2021.

Horizon Europe in Türkiye is coordinated by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK).

What are the Objectives of Horizon Europe?

• To strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological base,
• To increase Europe’s innovation capacity, competitiveness, and employment while addressing societal priorities,
• To sustain Europe’s socio-economic model and values.

The Programme has three main pillars: 

The first pillar, Excellent Science, is generally considered the academic pillar. It provides grant support for researchers' individual or collaborative, thematic or non-thematic research. Additionally, actions that enhance researcher mobility and research infrastructures are supported.

The second pillar, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, offers support for R&D and innovation projects developed and presented in partnership across six sectoral clusters. These cluster supports are more accurately described as R&D supports rather than business supports, focusing on innovative products, software, and processes based on shared intellectual property among partners.

The third pillar, Innovative Europe, facilitates the establishment of innovative ecosystems and networks or participation in existing ones. It also offers opportunities for entrepreneurs to access investment for their innovative ideas and products, supporting thematic or non-thematic entrepreneurial initiatives.

To better promote the work programmes of Horizon Europe and evaluate them against more measurable targets, the European Commission has introduced missions. These missions aim to provide solutions to some of the challenges we face, within a specific budget and timeframe.

What are the 5 Missions of Horizon Europe Set by the Commission?

• Cancer: working with Europe's Beating Cancer Plan to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, cure and solutions to live longer and better
• Adaptation to Climate Change: support at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030
• Restore our Oceans and Waters
• 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030
• A Soil Deal for Europe: 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030

Who Can Apply to Horizon Europe?
Any natural or legal person (SMEs, industrial companies, research centers, universities, public institutions, non-profit organizations) with operational and financial capability to carry out the R&D tasks outlined in their proposed project can apply to Horizon Europe.

While a significant portion of the programme consists of areas where multi-beneficiary actions involving at least three different entities are supported, there are also calls for proposals for single-beneficiary projects that can be applied for individually by institutions such as the European Innovation Council, European Research Council Advanced Research Grants, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, as well as awards.

Want to Learn More?

All documents related to the Horizon Europe Programme are accessible via the Funding and Tenders Portal.

Click here to access TÜBİTAK’s official Horizon Europe Programme website.