The European landscape for research and innovation funding is on the brink of significant change. With the start of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in 2028, Horizon Europe, the largest European grant programme for R&D, appears set for a major upgrade. At least, that is what emerges from the key proposed changes put forward by the European Commission. While negotiations are still ongoing, the proposal already provides a clear picture of what lies ahead.

Nearly double the budget

The most striking element: the proposal nearly doubles the budget for Horizon Europe compared to the 2021–2027 period. Within the MFF 2028–2034, the total amounts to € 175 billion. For organisations already active within Horizon Europe, or those considering making the step, this sends a clear signal: the European Commission is fully committed to knowledge and innovation as drivers of economic recovery and competitiveness.

Four central pillars of Horizon Europe from 2028

The programme will adopt a new structure. The current three pillars will be replaced by four:

• Excellent Science
• Competitiveness and Society
• Innovation
• European Research Area (ERA)

Pillar 1: Excellent Science

As in the current programme period, the ‘Excellent Science’ pillar focuses on the quality of fundamental and frontier research. For the period 2028–2034, this pillar has a proposed budget of € 44 billion. Grant programmes such as the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) will be further expanded and will therefore remain highly relevant.

Pillar 2: Competitiveness and Society

With a proposed budget of € 75 billion, this is the largest pillar within the MFF 2028–2034. It focuses on collaborative research and innovation across four themes with major societal impact:

• Clean transition and industrial decarbonisation
• Health, biotech, agriculture and bioeconomy
• Digital leadership
• Resilience and security, defence and space

The focus here is on the EU’s competitiveness. This pillar also does not stand alone: a direct link has been established with the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), which within the MFF 2028–2034 invests in the very same strategic priorities.

Pillar 3: Innovation

The third pillar focuses on the development of new products, services and business models, with a proposed budget of over € 38 billion. The European Innovation Council (EIC) will be expanded to finance high-risk and disruptive projects in a phased manner: from early-stage research through to development and market launch. New is the explicit attention for defence and dual-use start-ups.

Pillar 4: European Research Area

The fourth pillar, the European Research Area (ERA), focuses on quality, impact and stronger integration of the European research space. The former WIDERA component returns in adapted form: the Commission will now distinguish between ‘widening countries’ and transition countries, with funding for the former group more closely tied to national investments in research and innovation. New is also the explicit support for the development and use of research and technological infrastructures.

More accessible and more simple

The complexity of Horizon Europe applications is a frequently heard concern. The commission is taking steps to address this. The intention is to apply a single funding rate of 100% for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), where different rates currently apply. For profit-making organisations (with the exception of SMEs), a maximum funding rate of 70% will continue to apply. In addition, work programmes will be shorter, there will be more open-topic calls, and the commission aims to reduce the time from application to grant from eight to seven months.

Room for big ambitions: Moonshot projects

Beyond the pillars, the proposal also includes so-called ‘moonshot’ projects: large-scale and ambitious initiatives running from research through demonstration to application, targeting strategic technology and resilience. Examples include Quantum Computing, Zero Water Pollution, Automated Transport and Mobility, and Regenerative Therapies. For consortia seeking to push the boundaries of innovation, this will open up entirely new funding opportunities.

Please note: these are still proposals

It is important to note that negotiations on the MFF 2028–2034 are still ongoing. The final shape of the new Horizon Europe programme has yet to be determined by the European Council and the European Parliament. Nevertheless, the contours are clear enough to start identifying where opportunities lie.

What does this mean for your organisation?

The shift towards application-oriented research, public-private collaboration and strategic European themes calls for sound preparation. Curious about where your organisation stands and how you can make the most of the new opportunities within Horizon Europe and the broader MFF? Contact our specialists for an advisory meeting at info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in the contact form:

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