Just before the holidays, the European Commission adopted the Horizon Europe work programme for 2026-2027. This means an investment of € 14 billion to boost global research and innovation.
New in the work programme: horizontal calls
A new element in the work programme 2026-2027 are horizontal calls, which address cross-cutting challenges across different research and innovation areas. An example is the allocation of € 540 million to accelerate the market deployment of cutting-edge technologies and decarbonised industry solutions.
Simpler and more accessible work programme
After receiving feedback on previous work programmes, the 2026-2027 programme has been simplified. It is less prescriptive and 33% shorter than the last one. It also focuses on fewer, but larger projects to maximise impact.
For applicants there are some additional benefits.
- The administrative burdens on applicants will be reduced. For example, by using a two-stage evaluation process. Applicants need to submit a short proposal first, with full proposals requested only if successful.
- The work programme features newcomer-friendly topics to lower barriers for new applicants.
For more information on the Horizon Europe work programme 2026-2027, visit the website of the European Commission.