Horizon Europe 2026–2027: EU invests €14 billion in research, innovation, and competitiveness

The European Commission has approved the main work programme for Horizon Europe for the period 2026–2027. With a total budget of €14 billion, the EU will specifically strengthen its global leadership in research and innovation. Key European priorities such as climate neutrality, the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and Europe's resilience in a rapidly changing world will be given particular focus.

The work programme marks the end of the current Horizon Europe programme period (2021–2027) and gives science, business and innovation stakeholders in Europe important strategic impetus.

New horizontal calls for proposals on key future topics

A key innovation in the 2026–2027 work programme is the introduction of horizontal calls for proposals to address cross-cutting societal and technological challenges.

The“Research and Innovation in support of the Clean Industrial Deal” call for proposals provides €540 million to accelerate the market introduction of clean technologies and the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. The focus is on an industry-led, application-oriented approach.

The new “AI in Science” call for proposals (budget: €90 million) promotes the development of trustworthy AI applications in areas such as materials research, agriculture, and healthcare. This initiative is part of the “Resource for AI Science in Europe” project and will strengthen Europe's position in the development of safe and ethical AI.

Additionally, the New European Bauhaus Facility will receive over €210 million between 2026 and 2027 to revitalise sustainable and inclusive urban neighbourhoods through innovative design.

Strengthening talent, research infrastructures, and innovation ecosystems

Another focus is on attracting and promoting international talent. The “Choose Europe” initiative is providing €50 million for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which promote long-term career prospects for researchers in Europe.

Additionally, Horizon Europe is investing €50 million in research infrastructure to enhance transnational access, training, and data utilisation. The European Research Area (ERA) Chairs measure will receive €240 million and is intended to bring top researchers to developing regions.

Startups and scaleups in particular will benefit from the establishment of Europe-wide hubs for startups and scaleups that are closely linked to research and higher education systems, which will bolster European innovation ecosystems.

Less bureaucracy, more impact

The 2026–2027 work programme has a consistent focus on simplification. It is 33% shorter than the previous version and focuses on fewer, larger projects that have a greater impact.

The most important measures include:

• Flat-rate funding for around half of the funding budget
• Beginner-friendly topics and targeted SME outreach
• Two-stage application procedures for selected calls for proposals
• Optimised application templates and partially anonymised reviews

Further information can be found here.

Your next step: BayFOR supports you with Horizon Europe

Are you planning a research or innovation project for the 2026–2027 Horizon Europe programme? The Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) advises and supports Bavarian universities, research institutions, companies, and start-ups throughout the entire application process – from strategic classification and partner search to submitting a successful application.

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Information & Communication Technologies | Engineering & Natural Sciences
Social Sciences and Humanities | Security and Defence Research
Environment, Energy & Bioeconomy
SME Advisory Services

Get in touch with us as soon as possible to ensure your project idea is positioned optimally and the appropriate calls for proposals are identified.