Horizon Europe
About Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports the creation and better diffusion of excellent knowledge and technologies.
It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.
Horizon Europe has four main categories for funding: Excellent Science (Pillar 1), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (Pillar 2), Innovative Europe (Pillar 3) and Widening Participation (focusing on developing countries).
Work Programmes 2026
The European Commission has published the Draft Work Programmes 2026-27 for the final two years of Horizon Europe to help prepare in advance for upcoming calls for proposals. However, it is important to note that they are provisional documents and may be subject to changes. Please click on the below links for a summary of Clusters under Pillar 2 and 3:
Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
- Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, Summary
- Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society, Summary
- Cluster 4 - Digital Industry and Space, Summary
- Cluster 5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility, Summary
- Cluster 6 - Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Summary
Pillar III: Innovative Europe
European Innovation Council (EIC), Summary
Other Areas:
Useful documents and links
- Horizon Europe Overview
- Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027
- Horizon Europe 2028 – 2023 Factsheet
- Who should apply
- Support for applicants
- Horizon Dashboard
- Lump sum funding in Horizon Europe
- EU funded projects
The Funding and Tenders portal is the single entry point for applicants, contractors and experts in funding. All Horizon Europe funding calls and Work Programmes will be published on this portal.
The UK Research Office (UKRO) portal will enable you to obtain tailored EU news and funding; registration is free for Sussex staff members.
UKRO Webinars on Horizon Europe
ERC Proof of Concept Webinar – 11 December 2025, 10:00 -12:00 GMT
This online session will provide detailed guidance on the application and evaluation processes, along with practical advice on how to design a strong proposal that effectively demonstrates the innovation of your ERC funded research. The webinar will also feature a live Q&A.
Register here: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Innovate UK Presents – Introduction to Horizon Europe - 17th December 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 GMT
This webinar is purposefully designed to help those with no or low recent knowledge about Horizon Europe gain an understanding of the opportunities it offers, and the basics about how to explore these opportunities further for yourself.
Register here: Summary - Introduction to Horizon Europe - December
Horizon Europe – Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility, 15 January, 9:00 – 16:00 GMT
This cluster focuses on the twin green and digital transitions to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. More information available here
Register here: EUSurvey - Survey
Horizon Europe – Missions, 20-21 January 2026, 9:00 – 17:00 GMT Day 1, 9:00 – 13:00 GMT Day 2
Join to learn more about the EU Missions goals in the areas of health, climate and the environment.
Register here: Events | The research and innovation community platform
Horizon Europe – Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment – 22 – 23 January 2026, 8:00 – 16:00 GMT Day 1, 8:00 – 12:00 GMT Day 2
The event covers:
- Insights into the policy context
- A ‘key-to-success’ session focused on guidance and tips for quality proposals
- Pitches for each of the topics from the Work Programme 2026
Register here: Events | The research and innovation community platform
Horizon Europe - Cluster 1 Health – 10 February 2026, 8:00 – 16:00 GMT
This cluster aims to improve and protect the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases.
Register here: Events | The research and innovation community platform
Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe – 12 February 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 GMT
This information event is the best way to find out more about the lump sum funding approach in Horizon Europe, including how write a proposal and manage a lump sum project.
More information here
No registration needed. It will be web-streamed live on the event page via You Tube.
Horizon Europe Cluster 2 Culture, creativity and inclusive society – 26 March 2026, 8:30 – 17:00 GMT
This cluster aims to meet EU goals and priorities on enhancing democratic governance and citizens’ participation, on the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), and on to responding to and shaping multifaceted social, economic, technological and cultural transformations.
Register here: Events | The research and innovation community platform
Slides and recordings from past UKRO events
Horizon Implementation Day: Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe
Dissemination and exploitation in Horizon Europe
ERC Grants: What to Expect in 2026 Calls
European Research and Innovation
Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal?
How to Evaluate Lump Sum Proposals