Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness

Cluster 1: Health

Cluster "Health" works to better understand and manage health and disease, including cross-border health risks and infections, to deliver integrated, person-centred and equal health and care throughout Europe. The cluster aims sustainable digital transformation of European healthcare systems with cross-border, secure and ethical data management and reliable supply chains. The cluster's objective includes maintaining an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health industry.

Cluster 2: Culture, creativity and inclusive societies

The cluster will contribute to strengthening democratic governance and citizen participation, protect and promote cultural heritage and respond to challenges surrounding multifaceted social, economic, technological and cultural transitions. Migration and integration are also priority issues. The cluster has a strong focus on social sciences and the humanities.

Cluster 3: Civil security for society

This cluster supports the implementation of the EU's security policy priorities, including cyber security, disaster risk reduction and strengthening societal resilience. There is a strong focus on the state's ability to provide security for citizens through police, emergency services, customs and law enforcement agencies and the policies that govern these. In this area, it is important to take into account human factors and ensure respect for individual rights, privacy and personal data protection.

Cluster 4: Digital issues, industry and space

The cluster gathers research efforts within the generic technology on which we build the digitalisation, but also efforts to ensure that the digitalisation benefits the entire society. In addition, this takes place in close harmony with the research for the industrial transition to a climate-neutral, circular and environmentally friendly industry that is also competitive in a global economy. In addition to digitalisation and industrial transformation, the cluster also brings together research efforts that will ensure the EU's access to space, but also contribute to the development of solutions that use space infrastructure and space data.

Cluster 5 Climate, energy and mobility

The overall ambition for the cluster is for Europe to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and accelerate the twin green and digital transitions. Research and innovation efforts here have a strong focus on the transformation of the energy and mobility sectors to contribute to increased competitiveness, resilience, resource efficiency and social inclusion, while greenhouse gases and other harmful pollution is reduced. Europe must continue to be a forerunner when it comes to climate research and by contributing knowledge to enable the transition to a climate-neutral society.

Cluster 6: Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

Cluster 6 strives to reduce negative environmental impacts from food production, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and at the same time maintain or expand European competitiveness. Furthermore, it includes investments to stop the depletion of biological diversity and the reconstruction of ecosystems, better management of natural resources, and innovative use within the boundaries of ecosystems. The change must be transformative and include an egalitarian societal transformation, in order to reach the EU's climate goals.

Joint Research Center

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting policies at the EU level. Stakeholders in- and outside of the EU can also use their services. The JRC has research facilities across Europe and offers access to them through its Open Access program. The programme has calls for proposals a few times per year. At the JRC facilities, scientists can work in fields such as nuclear safety and security, chemistry, life sciences, information and communications technology, physical sciences and foresight. Access to JRC’s facilities and research infrastructures is granted to industry upon payment of a fee. JRC’s activities are primarily funded through Horizon Europe.