HORIZON 2020

About the programme

"Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation" (H2020), is the largest and most important programme funding science, research and innovation at European level in 2014-2020, but H2020-funded projects will run for several years after that.

Horizon 2020 builds on the research framework programmes announced by the EU since 1980, namely the 7th Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007-2013).

The programme aims to support science and research across societal challenges in order to maximise the use of existing research capacities, increase the chances of achieving breakthrough solutions and, at the same time, implement major policy initiatives.

H2020 is divided into three priority axes:

First Priority Axis - Excellent Science

Promoting excellent research and creating the conditions for it to take off. Outstanding frontier research projects, the development of new and ambitious technologies, the mobility of excellent researchers and cutting-edge infrastructures are supported. This includes the European Research Council, Future and Emerging Technologies, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and European Research Infrastructures programmes.

Second priority axis - European Industrial Leadership

The European Industrial Leadership priority aims to improve the competitiveness of European industry through industrial and breakthrough technologies, easier access to venture funding and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Third priority axis - Societal challenges

An area focusing on the societal challenges identified in the European Union's Strategic Plan to 2020. The largest part of the proposed budget for H2020 is to address the seven identified societal challenges.