New targets and plans for Horizon Europe

On 20 March 2024 the European Commission adopted a second strategic plan  for Horizon Europe, covering the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). The plan focuses on three key strategic orientations for EU’s research and innovation funding, including: 

green transition, 
digital transition, and;
a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.

The objective of the orientations is to address key global challenges, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, an ageing population and the digital transition. Overarching principles applying across all orientations include open strategic autonomy and securing the leading role of Europe in developing and deploying critical technologies. The ambition on biodiversity is raised, committing to an objective of 10% of the total budget dedicated to topics related to biodiversity for the period 2025-2027, thus complementing the existing targets for climate expenditure and main digital activities. 

The plan introduces new developments and elements, including nine new European co-financed and co-programmed partnerships and an overview of the EU Missions accomplishments in their first years. The New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is introduced as a novel pioneering movement which encourages collaboration among municipalities, cities, experts, businesses and higher education institutions to collectively create and reimagine inclusive, sustainable lifestyles in Europe and beyond.  

In addition, it was announced on 25 March 2024, that the Republic of Korea will join the Horizon Europe programme. Korea formally expressed its interest to associate to Horizon Europe by submitting a Letter of Intent on 14 February 2022, and now the Association Agreement is to be signed in the second half of 2024, paving the way for the country’s participation in Horizon Europe from 2025 onwards. This will provide opportunities for Korean organisations and researchers to secure funding in the future under Pillar II, with a total budget of EUR 53.5 billion, the largest collaborative part of Horizon Europe, mainly focused on addressing common global challenges in the areas of energy, climate, digital economy and health. 