‘Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation’, will succeed Framework Programme 7 as the main financial instrument supporting European research and development.
Running from 2014 to 2020 with a proposed €80 billion budget (a 46% increase over FP7), the new programme is intended to form a key part of the overall drive to create new growth and jobs across Europe.
Aside from the increase in budget, Horizon 2020 intends to provide major simplifications through a unified set of rules. It will combine all of the research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programmes for Research and Technical Development, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
The proposed support for research and innovation under Horizon 2020 aims to:
- Strengthen the EU’s position in science with a dedicated budget of € 24 598 million. This will provide a boost to top-level research in Europe, including an increase in funding of 77% for the very successful European Research Council.
- Strengthen industrial leadership in innovation € 17 938 million. This includes major investment in key technologies, greater access to capital and support for SMEs.
- Provide € 31 748 million to help address major societal concerns shared by all Europeans; such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety and security, or coping with the challenge of an ageing population.
The diagram below shows the currently proposed organisational structure for Horizon 2020, split between these three main areas (click to enlarge).
