Horizon 2020, the EU’s €77 billion research and innovation funding programme, supports scientific excellence in Europe and has contributed to high-profile scientific breakthroughs such as the discovery of exoplanets and gravitational waves. Over the next 3 years, the Commission will seek greater impact of its research funding by focusing on fewer, but critical topics such as migration, security, climate, clean energy and digital economy. Horizon 2020 will also be more geared towards boosting breakthrough, market-creating innovation.
The European Commission announced how it will spend €30 billion of the EU research and innovation funding programme Horizon 2020 during 2018-2020, including €2.7 billion to kick-start a European Innovation Council.
Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “Artificial Intelligence, genetics, blockchain: science is at the core of today’s most promising breakthrough innovations. Europe is a world leader in science and technology and will play a major role in driving innovation. The Commission is making a concerted effort – including with the European Innovation Council which takes its first steps today – to give Europe’s many innovators a springboard to become world leading companies.”
The 2018-2020 Work Programme will focus efforts on fewer topics with bigger budgets, directly supporting the Commission’s political priorities:
- A low-carbon, climate resilient future: €3.3 billion
- Circular Economy: €1 billion
- Digitising and transforming European industry and services: €1.7 billion
- Security Union: €1 billion
- Migration: €200 million
The Science with and for Society (SWAFS) Work Programme 2018-2020 has been developed to reflect and support the evolution of science and society and the increased emphasis on their interplay at national and EU levels. There is recognition that co-design with citizens, stakeholders and end-users needs to be promoted in all policy instruments, including in Horizon 2020.
There are five strategic orientations: