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 1: Health summary sheet
Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society summary sheet
Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society summary sheet
Cluster 4: Digital Industry and Space summary sheet
Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility summary sheet
Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment summary sheet

Pillar III: Innovative Europe

European Innovation Council (EIC) summary sheet

Other Areas

Useful documents and links

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.

Webinars on Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe – Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility

Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
Time: 9am–4pm GMT
Details: This cluster focuses on the twin green and digital transitions to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Find out more about this event.

Horizon Europe – Missions

Dates: Tuesday 20 January
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Times: Day 1: 9am–5pm GMT
Day 2: 2026, 9am–1pm GMT
Details: Join to learn more about the EU Missions goals in the areas of health, climate and the environment.

Introduction To Horizon Europe 2026

Dates: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Wednesday 25 February 2026
Wednesday 25 March 2026
Times: 10am-11am GMT
Details: This webinar is 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.

Horizon Europe – Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Dates: Thursday 22 January 2026
Friday 23 January 2026
Times: Day 1: 8am-4pm GMT
Day 2: 8am-12pm GMT
Details: 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.

Horizon Europe - Reapply Masterclass

Dates: Various Dates in February and March 2026.
Details: Join this workshop aimed at supporting those who have unsuccessfully applied for Horizon funding.

Express your interest

Horizon Europe - Cluster 1 Health

Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026
Time: 8am–4pm GMT
Details: 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.

Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe

Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 9am–11am GMT
Details: 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.

Find out more information

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

Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Time: 8.30am–5pm GMT
Details: 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.