Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2028-2034)

Programme structure

The new programme will be based on four pillars, and it will support cutting-edge research, and innovation, attract and nurture research talent, foster international collaboration, and connect science with society.

• Pillar I ‘Excellent Science’ aims to strengthen the EU’s scientific base, attract top talent and promote excellent research in Europe. It covers the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and science for EU policies through the Joint Research Centre. The ERC will be expanded to increase its ability to support frontier research, with a focus on funding excellent researchers and their teams following a ‘Choose Europe’ approach.

• Pillar II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ aims to support collaborative research and innovation in areas of high societal impact. It targets EU competitiveness in areas like the clean transition, digital leadership, defence, industry and space, in close cooperation with the European Competitiveness Fund. It will also address global societal challenges and features EU missions, as well as the New European Bauhaus Facility.

• Pillar III ‘Innovation’ aims to support innovation in Europe, with a focus on promoting the development of new products, services and business models. The European Innovation Council (EIC) will be expanded to fund high-risk disruptive projects in stages and will introduce a focus for defence and dual-use startups.

• Pillar IV ‘European Research Area’ aims to support the development of a unified European Research Area (ERA), with a focus on promoting excellence and impact, including a reformed widening component.  As a novelty, it also supports the development and operation of research and technology infrastructures.

Programme implementation will be streamlined.This includes offering simplified support, reducing the number of topics, and shortening the time from call closure to grant signature. 

Moonshot projects 

Additionally, Horizon Europe, tightly connected to the European Competitiveness Fund, will have the capacity to develop ‘moonshot projects’.  These projects would move from research to demonstration and real-world deployment. They would be supported by pooled funding from EU (Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund), national, public, and private sources.  

Designed to position Europe as a global leader in strategic fields, these moonshot projects would drive progress in areas such as:

• the future circular collider

• clean aviation

• quantum computing

• next-generation AI

• data sovereignty

• automated transport and mobility

• regenerative therapies

• fusion energy

• space economy

• zero water pollution and

• ocean observation