The Horizon Europe Programme remains on-track for a launch at the beginning of 2021, and there is not yet any sign of this being impacted by COVID-19 related concerns.
What are the focuses of the new Horizon framework?
The European Union's Horizon Strategy Framework for 2021 and beyond identifies four key objectives for the programme placed around three key pillars. The four objectives of the Horizon Europe framework are:
- Maximising impacts
- Increasing transparency and simplifying the way the programme works
- Building synergies with other EU initiatives
- Easing access to the programme through digital transformation
These overarching objectives play into the three pillars of the Horizon Programme, which were identified by the European Commission when the new programme was first submitted to the European Council as part of budget discussions in December 2019. While the budget which has been agreed upon is not as large as the European Commission had been hoping for, the overall pillars remain the same, as detailed below.
Excellent Science
This pillar is overseen by the European Research Council and funds particular research initiatives that the Council regards as important. It also works to ensure the mobility of scientific researchers between European Union member states and funds research infrastructure across the EU.
Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
This pillar focuses on European economic progress and expansion. It is designed to help tackle problems which pose a risk to the continued economic growth and stability of the EU, such as climate change and health challenges. National stakeholders play a key role here by bringing their particular needs and challenges to the table to ensure that the Horizon programme is working for all EU member states.
Innovative Europe
This final pillar sits at the intersection between science and business. It is designed to create a scientifically literate and advanced business culture across the continent. Funding priorities covered by this pillar include the growth of scientifically innovative SMEs and links between government, universities, businesses and other scientific institutions.
All of these are underpinned by a fourth component of the programme which looks to widen access to European science and increase participation from underrepresented groups.
Major changes in Horizon Europe
One of the biggest changes in the new Horizon Europe programme is the inclusion of five mission areas. These are designed to produce tangible outcomes that will create greater public buy-in for the EU's science funding programmes and research in general. The five areas included in the Horizon Europe programme are:
- Adaptation to Climate Change
- Cancer
- Healthy Oceans, Seas and Waters
- Climate neutral and Smart Cities
- Soil health and food
Each of these missions will be overseen by a Mission Board with 15 members who will set the broad objectives for the mission and put together calls for funding for relevant pieces of research.
Council finalises its position on the Horizon Europe package
The Council finalised its position on the proposed regulation establishing Horizon Europe (Horizon Europe regulation) and on the proposed decision on the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe (specific programme decision).
The main outstanding issue of what was adreed upon in regards to the Horizon Europe regulation is the internal break-down of Horizon Europe's budget, including funds to be made available under the EU recovery instrument entitled the Next Generation EU (NGEU). Also, the Council agreed on provisions that regulate international cooperation and the association of third countries to Horizon Europe, as well as provisions that ensure synergies with other EU funding programmes.
The main amendments to the Commission proposal adreed upon in regards to the specific programme decision are mostly of a budgetary nature and reflect those introduced in the Horizon Europe regulation.
What comes next?
Now that the budget for the Horizon Europe programme has been signed off and its key pillars and objectives have been agreed, the European Union will begin work to implement and operationalise the programme. Due to the short timescales that apply and the inevitable delays that the COVID-19 crisis will cause, it is likely that many parts of the programme on launch will simply be carried forward from the existing Horizon 2020 scientific funding initiative. This is good news for researchers and other stakeholders who are already familiar with how the Horizon 2020 funding model works but it does also mean that there are likely to be changes to the application process and funding model within the lifetime of the current Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) agreed by the member states.
