Horizon 2020 is the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation as proposed by the European Commission in November 2011. It is the successor of the Seventh Framework Programme, the current EU programme for Research (FP 7) and would thus operate from 2014 to 2020. With a total budget of €80 billion the Commission has proposed a substantial increase on the budget for the FP7.
Horizon 2020 brings together all existing Union research and innovation funding, including the FP7, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Moreover, the programme is a key pillar of Innovation Union, the Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at enhancing Europe’s global competitiveness.
A simplified programme architecture: Three strategic objectives
The Horizon 2020 proposal sets out plans for a simpler programme architecture for research and innovation, which would focus funds on three strategic objectives:
- Excellent Science
- Industrial Leadership
- Societal Concerns
Excellent Science
This strategic objective will aim to support the EU’s position as a world leader in science with a dedicated budget of €24.6 billion, including further promotion of the European Research Council through a funding increase of 77% in order to support the talented and most creative individuals to carry out frontier research of the highest quality as well as funding of theMarie Curie actions.
Industrial Leadership
This will aim to strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership in innovation with an investment of €17 938 million, including major investment in key technologies, such as ICT, nanotechnologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and processing, and space as well as Union-wide support for innovation in SMEs.
Societal Concerns
This will provide €31,748 million to help address major concerns shared by all Europeans, bringing together resources and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines. In particular, funding under this objective will be focussed around a set of ‘Grand Challenges’, identified by the Commission as being of shared concern for EU citizens. These include:
■Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
■Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bio-economy;
■Secure, clean and efficient energy;
■Smart, green and integrated transport;
■Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials;
■Inclusive, innovative and secure societies.
Horizon 2020: proposed changes to the current EU system for funding research
Underpinning the three strategic objectives, Horizon 2020 proposes a range of further changes to the EU’s current system for allocating funding for research. Most notably, these include:
■A single set of participation rules, on issues such as eligibility, evaluation and intellectual property;
■Simpler funding rules, including reimbursement of 100% of direct costs and single flat rate for cost reimbursement of indirect costs at 20%; and
■a commitment to ensure strong participation in Horizon 2020 by SMEs, supported by SME-specific actions. SMEs will benefit from approximately€8.6 billion.
