The European Union’s (EU) 9th Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, runs from 2021 to 2027. It is the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world and the most ambitious such programme in the history of the EU so far.
Like Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe is structured into three pillars:
- The first pillar, Excellent Science, funds basic research and ground-breaking research projects via the European Research Council (ERC). It also includes grant funding via the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA).
- The second pillar, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, funds research related to social challenges (e.g. Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) and expands technological and industrial capacities. In addition, this pillar encompasses the EU-wide mission areas, which are designed to find solutions to the major problems of our time and to advance the strategic priorities of the European Union and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- The third pillar, Innovative Europe, aims to make Europe a leader in science-based innovation, with a major role being played by the European Innovation Council (EIC). This pillar will contribute to the development of the entire European innovation landscape, promoting the role of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the involvement of businesses, research, higher education and entrepreneurship.
If you need further details or have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact the Euresearch Network.
Patrik Ettinger patrik.ettinger@euresearch.ch is the head of the responsible regional office and contact person at the ZHdK.
Status of Switzerland in Horizon Europe
As of 17 June 2021, the European Commission considers Switzerland as a Third Country (TC) with regard to Horizon Europe calls. This categorisation applies retroactively for all 2021 calls with the exception of the ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants. As a result, researchers from Switzerland can still participate in most collaborative projects and get funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Further information on the effects of the Swiss TC status can be found here.