With the Horisont Europa initiative, the EU is building on its work to strengthen the impact of research and innovation that tackles our major global societal challenges. The European Framework Programme for research and Innovation will contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The programme has a budget of over 95 billion euros and runs from 2021–2027. We at Vinnova help and guide you who want to apply for funding within Horisont Europa.
The program has three main areas, pillars, within which project can receive funding. The three pillars are Scientific Excellence, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovativa Europa.
The first pillar of the programme emphasizes open research, with the aim of strengthening and expanding expertise within the EU's scientific sphere.
The pillar has three main directions
Pillar 1 - Scientific excellence
The second pillar highlights the crucial role of industry in achieving the overall goals of Horisont Europa. Efforts within this pillar will support technological and industrial capacity to meet global challenges by, among other things, prioritizing key enabling technologies. These challenges are divided into 6 thematic clusters
Pillar 2 - Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness
Missions and the European partnerships are part of the second pillar “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness” and are important components of Horisont Europa.
Missions are strategically targeted research and innovation initiatives where resources are concentrated on a few selected societal challenges.
The European Partnerships are a collective name for various collaborations between the European Commission, the countries and other stakeholders.
The third pillar aims to stimulate market-creating breakthroughs and ecosystems that facilitate innovation.
The pillar has three focus areas to support startups, small and medium-sized enterprises:
Last updated 13 October 2025
