Horizon 2020, the EU's new programme for research and innovation, will run from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of nearly EUR 80 billion. It replaces the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7), which ran from 2007 to 2013 with a budget of around EUR 55 billion.

The initiative is aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.

In comparison to FP7, Horizon 2020 provides major simplification through a single set of rules. It is a single programme bringing together three separate programmes/initiatives.

  • Coupling research to innovation – from research to retail, all forms of innovation
  • Focus on societal challenges facing EU society, e.g. health, clean energy and transport
  • Simplified access, for all companies, universities, institutes in all EU countries and  beyond.

Australia and the European Union

The relationship between the Australian Government and the European Union is strategically focussed on strengthening research and innovation collaborations to address societal (global) challenges and enhancing industrial leadership. Current priorities for collaboration, in addition to Clean Energy, Healthy Ageing through Enabling Technologies and Sustainable Cities are Preventative Health and Biodiversity. 

Australia and Europe are developing a roadmap for cooperation. The development of cooperation roadmaps with a variety of key partners is a key component of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and forms part of the EC’s International Strategy for Research and Innovation. Further information will be made available once the roadmap has been finalised.

How is funding organised under Horizon 2020?

Horizon 2020 is built around three pillars:

1) Support for "Excellent Science" – including grants for individual researchers from the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships (formerly known as Marie Curie fellowships);

2) Support for "Industrial Leadership" – including grants for small and medium-sized enterprises and indirect finance for companies through the European Investment Bank and other financial intermediaries;

3) Support for research to tackle "societal challenges”.

Who can apply for funding from Horizon 2020?

Horizon 2020 funding is based on competitive calls. Consortia of researchers (including industry) can respond to these calls and these consortia can include international research and industry partners. International partners are expected to bring matching funding and or resources to the consortia. International partners may be eligible to receive funding under Horizon 2020 if their contribution to the research project is essential. Australia organisations intending to build Australian consortia to participate with European partners in Horizon 2020 should contact the Australian Department of Industry using the Contact form on the CAESIE website. Individual researchers or research groups are welcome to contact the National Contact Point for Australia through the same link. 

A range of Horizon 2020 work programmes, which set out in broad terms the areas of research, have announced a first round of calls. The list of calls is available at http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/newsroom/548// 

Further information on the Horizon 2020 programme sections is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-sections

What’s in it for Researchers?

Opportunities are also available for Australian researchers via the European Research Council’s funding and grant schemes. Researchers from anywhere in the world can apply for ERC grants provided the research they undertake will be carried out in an EU Member State (EU) or Associated Country (AC). Further information is available on the ERC website - http://erc.europa.eu/funding-and-grants

What's in it for small businesses?

Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate across the whole Horizon 2020 programme. They can engage in collaborative projects as part of a consortium and they are supported through a new dedicated SME instrument designed specifically for highly innovative smaller companies.

Although Australian SMEs will not be directly eligible to receive funding via the SME instrument, opportunities for Australian SMEs do exist. Horizon 2020 encourages participation with international entities and the establishment of international partnerships between Australian and European SME will create opportunities. Australia businesses interested in participating in Horizon 2020 should use the Contact form on the CAESIE website. 

Further Questions?

Check out our Horizon 2020 FAQ here