Horizon Europe (2021-2027), the long-awaited successor to Horizon 2020, EU’s Framework Programme for Research & Innovation, is ready to take-off and recently ANI (the Portuguese State Innovation Agency), along with other agencies belonging to the PERIN network, hosted a series of Horizon Europe Days to communicate the new opportunities offered under Pillars II and III of this huge and complex framework. Pillar II concerns Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness and Pillar III deals with the Innovative Europe. The four pillars total almost 100B€ in financing.
Tec Lab’s team was present in five of these nine virtual sessions and took some notes of what is ahead. These sessions cover Tec Labs’ areas of interest and we watched them to try and see where our incubees may fit. Horizon Europe is very complex and there are several calls that are not entirely closed yet, but we are starting to see a general picture and it looks exciting. One of the main novelties of this new framework are the Missions, which may cross all the pillars and clusters, and there is a new approach to Partnerships, also. There are a lot of different programmes, so here are some useful links and brief commentaries:
Session 1. Pillar II. Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space
This cluster has more than 15B€ for projects. It deals with 6 main topics (called “Destinations”) and it is obvious at a first glance that general digitalisation is one of the strongest aspects of this cluster. Expect calls on AI, Big Data, Automation in Industry, Circular Economy, etc. In Space, Copernicus is a big part. The first calls will be launched on April, and the same happens with the other clusters. Six “Destinations”: 1) Climate neutral, circular and digitised production; 2) Increased autonomy in key strategic value chains for resilient industry; 3) World leading data and computing technologies; 4) Digital and emerging technologies for competitiveness and fit for the Green Deal; 5) Open strategic autonomy in developing, deploying and using global space-based infrastructures, services, applications and data. See more here.
Session 2. Pillar II. Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility
This cluster, with circa 15B€ for projects as well, deals more directly with the great project that is the European Green Deal. Expect several cross-sectorial calls with a big focus on the environment and efficiency. Six “Destinations”: 1) Climate sciences and responses for the transformations towards climate neutrality; 2) Cross-sectorial solutions for the climate transition; 3) Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply; 4) Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use; 5) Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes; 6) Safe, resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods. See more here.
Session 3. Pillar II. Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Climate and circularity of resources will be a big focus of this cluster 6. There are seven “Destinations”: 1) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; 2) Fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to comsumption; 3) Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors; 4) Clean environment and zero pollution; 5) Land, oceans and water for climate action; 6) Resilient, Inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities; 7) Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Grean Deal. See more here.
Session 4. Opportunities for SMEs
There are several different new opportunities that we will explain in detail once the work programmes are out. There will be several calls under the newly established EIC’s Pathfinder, including challenge-driven calls. The Pillar 3 will deal with the European Innovative Ecosystems and the new EUROSTARS 3, that finances market-driven projects. You should also check the already existing Enterprise Europe Network and there will be new KICs under EIT, one related to Water and Oceans for 2024. As you can see: it’s a lot of things and it will take some time to digest all this information.
Session 5. Pillar II. Cluster 1: Health
This important cluster will unsurprisingly be very focused on digital health. Expect a lot of multidisciplinarity and crossover between disciplines and areas. AICIB will coordinate the Portuguese participation under this cluster. There are six “Destinations”: 1) Health throughout the Life Course; 2) Environmental and Social Health Determinants; 3) Non-communicable and rare diseases; 4) Infectious diseases; 5) Tools, Technologies and Digital Solutions for Health and Care; 6) Health Care Systems. See more here.
Be attentive to the news that will begin to pour out, specially the launch of the Work Programmes that contain the calls – they are expected to be out in March-April.
