EC launches Horizon 2020 with first calls for projects

Following the recent approval of the Horizon 2020 research programme (2014-2020) by the European Parliament and Council of the EU (member states), the European Commission has published on 11 December the first calls for proposals under Horizon 2020. The Commission noted that the competitive calls in the 2014 budget would be worth €7.8 billion and funding would be focused on the three key pillars of Horizon 2020.

• Excellent Science: Around €3 billion, including €1.7 billion for grants from the European Research Council for top scientists and €800 million for Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships for younger researchers.
• Industrial Leadership: €1.8 billion to support Europe's industrial leadership in areas like ICT, nanotechnologies, advanced manufacturing, robotics, biotechnologies and space.
• Societal challenges: €2.8 billion for innovative projects addressing Horizon 2020's seven societal challenges.

While most of the calls (from the 2014 Budget) have now been published the EC noted further calls would be published throughout the year. The funding opportunities and related reference documents (such as the Model Grant Agreement) for Horizon 2020 are set out on the Horizon 2020 participants portal. More...