European Commission Seeks Views on Horizon Europe Strategic Plan

The European Commission is developing Horizon Europe’s first Strategic Plan, as part of an intensive co-design process so that it targets issues that matter most. So far, over 9,000 people have taken part in this process, making it one of the largest co-design exercises that the Commission has ever led.

The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan will define the strategic orientations for European research and innovation investments over the period 2021-2024 and will act as a compass to stay on course with the political priorities of the Commission: ‘a climate-neutral and green Europe, fit for the digital age, where the economy works for the people’.

To get ready for the programme’s planned launch in 2021, the Commission has launched a survey is to receive feedback on the expected impacts to be targeted by R&I within Horizon Europe and the contribution of R&I investments to the EU’s political priorities. The results of the survey will be used to finalise the Strategic Plan and to precise the impact logic, which will set the direction for to the future Horizon Europe work programmes.

The survey is structured around six Horizon Europe clusters and their expected impacts:

Health.

Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society.

Civil Security for Society.

Digital, Industry and Space.

Climate, Energy and Mobility.

Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

‘The transition to a sustainable, carbon neutral and digital society and economy have to become the basis of our recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Your participation will make a difference as we can only achieve real impact if we do this together. Get involved for a strong, sustainable and competitive Europe. I count on you.’

The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan is currently planned to be ready towards the end of 2020, subject to agreement between the European Parliament and Council on the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-27 and its related horizontal provisions.

The survey is open to anyone with an interest in EU R&I priorities, located anywhere in the world.

Submissions can be made until 18 September 2020.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.