HORIZON 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020).
It is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union and it is open to everyone. H2020 also aims to enhance EU international research cooperation so there are more opportunities for Third Country participation.

Horizon 2020 structure and budget

h2020 website
H2020 General WP

Horizon 2020 is divided into 3 three pillars and 2 specific objectives corresponding to its main priorities:

Excellent Science

The Excellent Science part of H2020 supports the world-class science in Europe, by developing, attracting and retaining research talent and supporting the development of the best research infrastructures.

Total funding for 2014-2020
€ million
European Research Council (ERC)
Frontier research by the best individual teams
13 095
Future & emerging technologies
Collaborative research to open new fields of innovation
2 696
Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA)
Opportunities for training and career development
6 162
Research infrastructures (including e-infrastructure)
Ensuring access to world-class facilities
2 488

Industrial Leadership

The Industrial Leadership supports key technologies, such as microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, etc. across existing and emerging sectors. It also aims at attracting more private investment into R&I and supporting the increase of innovative SMEs in Europe.

Total funding for 2014-2020
€ million
Leadership in enabling & industrial technologies (LEITs)
(ICT, nanotechnologies, materials, biotechnology, manufacturing, space)
13 557
Access to risk finance
Leveraging private finance & venture capital
2 842
Innovation in SMEs
Fostering all forms of innovation in all types of SMEs
616

Societal Challenges

The pillar of Societal Challenges supports R&I that target society and citizens (climate, environment, energy, transport, etc.). It supports the development of breakthrough solutions coming from multi-disciplinary collaborations, which include social sciences and humanities.

Total funding for 2014-2020
€ million
Health, demographic change & wellbeing
7 472
Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry,
marine/maritime/inland water research and the bioeconomy
3 851
Secure, clean & efficient energy
5 931
Smart, green & integrated transport
6 339
Climate action, environment, resource efficiency & raw materials
3 081
Inclusive, innovative & reflective societies
1 310
Secure societies
1 695

Specific Objective 'Spreading Excellence & Widening participation'

Total funding for 2014-2020
€ million
Spreading excellence & widening participation
816

Specific Objective 'Science With And For Society'

Total funding for 2014-2020
€ million
Science with and for society
462