Horizon Europe is the European Union’s main funding programme for research and innovation.

What Is the Aim of Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe supports research and innovation that helps:

• Strengthen Europe’s science and technology
• Boost competitiveness, innovation, and job creation
• Address societal challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Strengthen the European Research Area (ERA), a shared space for scientific excellence and collaboration across Europe

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What Does It Fund?

Horizon Europe is built around three main pillars and one horizontal programme:

Pillar 1: Excellent Science‍

• Supports cutting-edge research and talent development.
• Includes Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which fund high-quality doctoral and postdoctoral training and collaborative research projects.

Pillar 2: Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness‍

• Funds research on key societal issues like climate, health, and democracy.
• Organised into seven thematic clusters, this pillar also supports European industrial innovation.

Pillar 3: Innovative Europe‍

• Aims to position Europe as a global leader in innovation.
• Includes the European Innovation Council, which backs breakthrough technologies and market-creating innovations.

Widening Participation & Strengthening the European Research Area (ERA)‍

• This cross-cutting programme helps less-represented EU countries and regions build their research capacity and engage more in EU-funded research.

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Who Can Apply?

Horizon Europe welcomes a wide range of applicants:

• Universities and research institutes
• Researchers and academics
• Public sector bodies (local, regional, or national)
• Companies and private sector organisations
• Nonprofits and NGOs, especially those supporting research on social impact and citizen engagement

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Why Does the EU Fund Research?

The EU invests in research and innovation to tackle shared challenges, improve lives, support economic growth, and keep Europe competitive globally.

Learn more about EU policy on research and innovation.
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Budget

Running from 2021 to 2027, Horizon Europe has a budget of €95.5 billion.
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Example Projects

Explore what Horizon Europe supports:

Horizon Europe Success Stories

Cultural Heritage: Funded Projects

Democracy and Society: Funded Projects
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National Contact Point in Ireland

These contacts can help with questions, guidance, and partner searches:

Horizon Europe Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity, Inclusive Society)‍

• ‍Irish Universities Association
• ‍Patrick Lansley, patrick.lansley@iua.ie

Marie Skolodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)‍

• ‍Irish Marie-Skłodowska Curie Office, Irish Universities Association‍
• mariecurie@iua.ie

Horizon Europe Health

• Health Research Board (HRB)
• Dr Irene Castellano, ICastellano@hrb.ie

Full Horizon Europe Contact List

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Open Calls

Find current open calls for Horizon Europe.

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Want to Learn More?

Enterprise Ireland - Horizon Europe

Irish Universities Association - Horizon Europe Cluster 2

Horizon Europe Info Days

MSCA Resources:

Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office

‍MSCA Civil Society Organisations Leaflet

Report on non-academic sector in MSCA

MSCA National Contact Points Network

Your guide to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Engaged Research:

Resources for Citizens Science Projects

Partner Search Tools:

Horizon Europe Cluster 2 Community Platform

‍GREENET - Cluster 5 Partner Search Tool

MSCA Matchmaking Platform

Top 10 Research Partner Websites

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Social Media

X:

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe Ireland‍

Horizon Europe - Cluster 2 & ERC AHSS

Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

LinkedIn:

Irish Universities Association

Enterprise Ireland

New European Bauhaus

European Research Executive Agency (REA)

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What to Watch

Horizon Europe Cluster 2: Funding Research for Cultural Heritage & Social Change

EU Funding for Health Research Charities

Funding for Your Research: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Engaged Research:

Civil Society and Engaged Research

An Introduction to Engaged Research

‍Building a Research Plan for your Organisation 2023‍