Horizon 2020

Funding is vital for any economy. It boosts economic growth and job creation. Similarly, research is vital for society as it trains the next generation of scientists, doctors, teachers and engineers. Horizon 2020 is a funding programme created by the European Union / European Commission to support and foster research in the European Research Area (ERA).

This programme emphasises on excellent science, tackling societal challenges and industrial leadership. The goal of the programme is to foster world-class science in Europe, remove obstructions to innovation and enhance public-private collaborations in implementing innovations.

Moreover, Horizon 2020 affords a wide range of funding opportunities for research and innovation through calls for proposals that are set out in the work programme. However, further information about the programme calls can be obtained under funding opportunities on the Participant Portal (PP).

Furthermore, this program offers UK businesses and researchers opportunities for innovation through partnerships, finance and networks. It is structured in a simpler way than previous programs. This new approach ensures that Horizon 2020 projects kick off quickly. As a result, it saves time and achieves faster results.

However, to be eligible for funding for coordination and support projects, Horizon 2020 countries must comprise at least one entity established in EU-member states or associated countries. Whereas for research and innovation or innovation projects, an applicant consortium must comprise of at least three entities established in at least three different EU-member states or associated countries.

This article is a guide to help you better understand Horizon 2020.

This article covers:

Horizon 2020 calls
Horizon 2020 projects
Horizon 2020 countries
Impact of Brexit on Horizon 2020

Previous framework programmes of EU research funding (FP1-FP7), have brought scientists and industries within and outside Europe together to find solutions to a huge variety of challenges. As such, their innovations have helped protect the environment and save lives. Additionally, these innovations have made European industries more competitive and sustainable.

Hence, the programme is targeted to help Europe produce world-class science, remove setbacks to innovation and encourage public-private partnerships in delivering innovations. It combines research and innovation to achieve its aim by emphasizing on excellent science and industrial leadership. Also, Horizon 2020 seeks to provide solutions for societal challenges, including healthcare, sustainable transports and green energy. Consequently, targeted funding will ensure innovation in hospitals, industries, shops and cities.

The programme is the biggest multinational research programme in the world. It funds research in areas of science and innovation. Its funding is simplified in such a way that it can be assessed by any person or legal entity regardless of their location. This includes research organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities, companies and so on.

Including private investments, Horizon 2020 has nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years, spanning from 2014 to 2020. This amount is higher than 30% of the previous framework programme. It is the financial instrument delivering the Innovation Union. The Innovation Union is a Europe 2020 flagship initiative that focuses on securing Europe’s global competitiveness.

Thus, the programme is supported by European leaders and members of the European Parliament. These political leaders put this programme at the heart of the EU’s blueprint for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs. This is because it is seen as a means to promote economic growth and create jobs. In addition, they are of the opinion that research is an investment in the future.

The opportunities available for funding under the programme are defined through multiannual work programmes. Organizations and individuals in the field of research and innovation can apply for them. However, the funds are assigned through calls for proposals.

Horizon 2020 Calls

The programme work programmes announce specific research and innovation areas for Horizon 2020 calls. Most of these calls are broken down into topics. The list of topics is assessable on the Participant Portal with the timing of forthcoming calls. However, both call and topic pages contain useful information for proposals.

Typically, the call page provides the latest information and updates to the call. It also contains the call summary that best describes the scientific field, innovation or societal challenge that the topics of Horizon 2020 calls are addressing.

On the other hand, the topic page provides the latest information and topic updates. It gives a detailed description of the topic scope, expected outcome of projects and type of action. The page provides information about topic conditions and documents as well as eligibility and evaluation criteria. In addition, the topic page contains PDF templates of the forms that will be in the electronic submission system. It also gives access to the electronic submission system and support services that are available for preparing proposal topics.

In general, the Participant Portal provides step-by-step guidance and tools needed to submit a proposal and manage projects until the deadline. After the deadline, each proposal is appraised by a panel of independent experts based on the area covered by the call. Thereafter, the best proposal is selected for funding.

Horizon 2020 calls can have different types of funding schemes or action. For example, research and innovation actions, innovation actions, coordination and support actions, COFUND actions, procurement actions and so on. Each type of action describes the scope of what is being funded, the reimbursement rate and detailed evaluation criteria to qualify for funding.

Horizon 2020 Projects

Horizon 2020 projects are funded under three umbrellas: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Projects funded under excellent science aim to buttress and widen the quality of the EU’s science base. It also reinforces the European Research Area (ERA) in order to make the Union’s search and innovation system more competitive globally.

However, EU funding is usually allocated to collaborative research projects carried out by a consortium of organizations. The European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions provide exceptional funding opportunities for researchers who desire to work in Europe. The ERC makes flexible funding available so that creative and talented researchers can pursue the most favourable methods at the frontier of science.

On the other hand, Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions will provide training and career development programmes to support researchers. This training and development programmes will provide new experiences and knowledge for researchers. It will help to strengthen their skills to enable them to reach their full potential. Also, training and career development programmes will prepare researchers for current and future societal challenges.

Besides, Horizon 2020 projects will make Europe the best possible environment for visionary thinking on emerging and future technologies. It will foster scientific collaborations and speed up favourable developments in the area of science and technology.

More so, research infrastructure and e-infrastructure projects will develop European research for 2020 and beyond. World-class infrastructure like high powered lasers or specialised high-tech aeroplanes are very costly and requires skilled expertise. Therefore, research infrastructure projects will promote potentials for innovation and human capital development.

In addition, the aim of Horizon 2020 projects funded under industrial leadership is to accelerate the development of technologies and innovation. It forms a basis for future businesses and helps indigenous SMEs grow into world-class companies.

Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies will make dedicated support available for research, demonstration and development. It will provide support for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as well as space technologies. Also, key enabling technologies like biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing processing will be boosted by Horizon 2020 projects.

Nevertheless, innovation in SMEs will help provide support to Small and Medium Enterprises with potentials to grow. By so doing, innovation will be encouraged.

Meanwhile, access to risk finance will help cover up the shortfalls associated with the availability of debt and finance. Hence, finance in the form of loans, grants and investments in innovative SMEs will be made available. As such, projects at all stages of development, including research and innovation-driven companies will gain from these funds.

Furthermore, Horizon 2020 projects help to provide solutions to societal challenges like health and food security. Challenges associated with clean, secure and sustainable energy are also tackled. Additionally, solutions to problems associated with climate action, environmental challenges, inclusive and secure societies are addressed.

Typically, challenge-based projects require the collaboration of different fields, disciplines and technologies. They will also include activities like research, piloting, testing, demonstration, support for public procurement and so on.

Horizon 2020 Countries

The EU Member States constitute Horizon 2020 countries eligible for funds in all strands of the program. However, other procedures exist for researchers and scientists in non-EU countries to be part of the programme.

In order to be eligible for the programme funding for research projects, a consortium of at least three legal entities must be formed. In this consortium, each entity must be in an EU Member State or an Associated Country. Nevertheless, to be eligible for funding for other programmes, the minimum requirement is one legal entry established in a Member State or Associated Country.

Horizon 2020 countries eligible to have “Associated County” status are those who are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and current EU candidate nations. Thirteen countries, including Israel, Switzerland and Norway, belong under Associated Countries. However, the terms of these country’s association differ somewhat by country.

More so, institutions and researchers from non-associated third countries are eligible for the programme under the “openness” strategy. As a result, legal entities established in countries of the Mediterranean and Eastern neighbourhoods constitute the programme’s third countries. Researchers and institutions from Latin American and Asian countries are eligible. Also, countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group are considered as eligible Horizon 2020 countries. However, countries might need to provide matching funds depending on the exact scheme.

On the other hand, Japan and Brazil are not considered eligible Horizon 2020 countries. Notwithstanding, entities in Japan may apply under “EU-Japan Research and Development Cooperation in Net Futures” calls to be considered eligible. Similarly, researchers and scientists in Brazil may apply under “EU-Brazil Research and Development Cooperation in Advanced Cyber Infrastructure” calls to be considered eligible.

Furthermore, institutions, researchers, international organizations and legal entities established in countries other than those aforementioned are not considered automatically eligible for funding. However, they are eligible in cases where the call for proposal categorically specifies such. They can also be considered eligible when the European Commission deems their participation as essential for carrying out an action under the programme.

Horizon 2020 Brexit

With regards to the Brexit negotiations by the government of the UK, the big question remains: what will be the effect of Brexit on the UK participation in Horizon 2020?

In an attempt to answer this question, a draft Brexit transition deal was announced on the 19^th of March 2018. This draft agreement will allow UK to participate in all EU programmes until December 2020. In addition, the programme and the European Fund for Sustainable Development will be open to the UK. During this period, the UK government will also have full access to the EU single market and customs union. Nevertheless, the UK will lose its decision-making powers with EU institutions after March 2019.

In any case, the UK government is keen on continuing collaborations with the EU, especially through science programmes. The government has detailed its priorities for science and research through negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement. The UK government in a report stated “the government’s priority remains to ensure the Withdrawal Agreement is finalised and concluded. This would ensure that UK entities’ right to participate in the programme would be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU for the lifetime of projects financed by the current MFF.”

Therefore, UK organizations remain entitled to their funding rights until the Brexit actually happens. However, the general assumption is that the UK government might seek associated country status.

Summary

Horizon 2020 is a multinational research programme supported by the EU. Its funding is majorly for research, science and innovation. Nevertheless, the programme funds are assessed through calls for proposals.

The programme calls have different types of funding schemes, otherwise called actions. These actions include research and innovation actions as well as COFUND actions.

In addition, Horizon 2020 projects are divided into three: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Excellent science projects help to broaden the quality of the EU’s science base. Industrial leadership aims at growing innovative SMEs and accelerating technological innovations. On the other hand, projects that help to solve societal challenges boost research and innovation through multidisciplinary collaborations.

Furthermore, all EU Member States are eligible as Horizon 2020 countries. Countries with Associated Country status and non-associated third countries are also eligible for the programme funding. However, in exceptional cases, non-eligible countries might be considered for funding based on certain parameters.

Despite the fact that the UK government is making negotiations for Brexit, Horizon 2020 might not be affected. This is because the government of UK still desires to continue its collaborations with the EU in the areas of science and research. However, until the Brexit, the UK retains its eligibility rights for the programme.

Conclusion

Every society requires consistent research and innovations for its economy to thrive. This is one of the reasons Horizon 2020 exists, to groom the next generation of experts and skilled workforce.

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