Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme for 2021–2027. Building on the achievements of Horizon 2020, it seeks to reinforce Europe’s scientific and technological foundations, stimulate innovation, and respond to major global challenges. With a budget of around €95.5 billion, it funds frontier research, breakthrough technologies and cross-border collaboration in areas ranging from health and digital technologies to climate action and sustainable development.
The programme is organised around three pillars — Excellent Science, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovative Europe — alongside dedicated actions to widen participation and deepen the European Research Area. By combining scientific excellence with real-world application, it supports solutions that strengthen sustainable growth, social inclusion and Europe’s long-term competitiveness.
In its current phase (2025–2027), the programme’s strategic framework further sharpens this ambition by prioritising three overarching transitions: the move toward climate neutrality and environmental sustainability, the acceleration of digital transformation, and the reinforcement of a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe. These orientations guide funding decisions in the final years of the programme, aligning research and innovation investments with broader European policy goals while addressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and demographic shifts.
Looking beyond 2027, on 16 July 2025 the European Commission presented its proposal for the next research and innovation framework programme (2028–2034), with a proposed budget of €175 billion. The initiative aims to further enhance Europe’s productivity and global competitiveness while improving citizens’ well-being. Interinstitutional negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission will now shape the final agreement. The future programme is expected to enable ambitious, science-driven “moonshot” projects in strategic domains such as clean aviation, the space economy and next-generation artificial intelligence, positioning Europe at the forefront of transformative innovation.
News:
- Horizon Europe is moving towards a Partial General Approach
- Horizon Europe 2026-27: EUR 14 billion for better research careers in a greener, stronger EU
- Cooperation with the Western Balkans in Horizon Europe: Useful Information and Links
- Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026 – 2027 “Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area” (WIDERA) calls published
- Online Info Session: Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe
- Shaping the Future of EU Research: Stakeholders Call for Human‑Centred, Inclusive FP10
- EU Announces MSCA Staff Exchanges 2025 Results — Limited Coordination from Western Balkans
- Democracy in the Neighbourhood and EU Enlargement: Horizon Europe Research Insights (presentations available)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Horizon Europe Projects and Innovation Activities at UNSA and UNIBL
- Albania: NASRI Launches 2026 National Research and Innovation Calls for stronger participation in Horizon Europe
- Strengthening Western Balkans Participation in Horizon Europe
- Montenegro’s Research Community Invited to Apply for New EU Funding in Cluster 6
- Horizon Europe in Kosovo: Recent Developments and Key Figures
- European Commission launches BE READY partnership to strengthen pandemic preparedness research
- Horizon Europe work programmes 2026/27 published
- An Invitation to Western Balkans Stakeholders from MSCA-GLOPOL: Strengthening international cooperation in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Events:
- Making Innovation Happen in Albania. Harvesting Innovation – Unlocking Opportunities for the Albanian Ecosystem
- Webinar: Result dissemination for different stakeholders
- Industry 5.0 community of practice: Plenary session 2026
- Horizon Europe Info Day: Cluster 2 Culture, creativity and inclusive society
- Horizon Europe Info Day: Research Infrastructures
- Cities Mission Conference 2026
- IP in EU funded projects with a special focus on MSCA
- Marie Curie Alumni Association Annual Conference 2026
- Horizon Europe Info Day: Civil Security for Society (Cluster 3) in Brussels
- Information and Networking Webinar on Cooperation with Eastern Partnership R&I
- The Road to FP10: European Innovation Act and ERA Developments in Focus
- FINNO 2026: Where Innovation Meets Investment in the Western Balkans
- ScienceBusiness event in Croatia: Fostering Innovative Careers
- Successful R&I in Europe 2026: European Networking Event
- Online Brokerage Event on Artificial Intelligence in Horizon Europe Calls
- Democracy in the Neighbourhood and EU Enlargement: Horizon Europe Research Insights
- European Maritime Day: Maritime Forum
- Climate Neutral Blue Cities by 2030: Accelerating Local Change
- EuroHPC Summit 2026
- Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases. Conference under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Festival of the New European Bauhaus 2026
- Horizon Europe Info Days on WIDENING calls in the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-27
Calls:
- Horizon Europe Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027
- Horizon Europe Calls: MSCA Doctoral Networks
- Horizon Europe Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems Call 2027
- Horizon Europe Calls: MSCA Staff Exchanges
- EIT Higher Education Initiative Call 2025
- Grant Scheme to Support Kosovo’s Participation in Horizon Europe
- SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions
Documents:
- European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Impact Study 2026
- IP management in Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
- Second Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027
- Policy Brief: Preparing for FP10: Strengthening Western Balkans participation in the 2028-2034 programme landscape
- ERA-LEARN Guide on co-funded European Partnerships
- POLICY ANSWERS Policy Brief: The Western Balkans on the Road to Framework Programme 10
Links:
- ERA Talent Platform
- Recording of the Horizon Europe info days – EU Missions
- Horizon Europe NCP Portal — Your Gateway to EU Research & Innovation Support
Institutions and Organisations:
- Serbia’s National Contact Point system for Horizon Europe
- North Macedonia’s National Contact Point system for Horizon Europe
- Montenegro’s National Contact Point system for Horizon Europe
- Kosovo National Contact Point System for Horizon Europe
- Bosnia and Herzegovina National Contact Point System for Horizon Europe
- Albanian National Contact Point System for Horizon Europe
