Horizon 2020 Calls: Your Guide To EU Funding

by Jhon Lennon 45 views

Hey guys! Ever heard of Horizon 2020? It was this massive EU research and innovation program, and while it's technically over, understanding it is still super valuable because it paved the way for current funding opportunities like Horizon Europe. Let's dive in and break down what Horizon 2020 was all about and how you can still benefit from knowing about it.

What Was Horizon 2020?

Horizon 2020 was the EU's flagship research and innovation program that ran from 2014 to 2020. With a budget of around €80 billion, it aimed to boost scientific excellence, drive industrial leadership, and tackle societal challenges. Think of it as a giant pot of money the EU used to fund projects that could make a real difference in the world. The program's main goal was simple: to ensure Europe produced world-class science, removed barriers to innovation, and made it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. This meant more jobs, more growth, and a more competitive edge for Europe on the global stage. The program focused on three main pillars: Excellent Science, Industrial Leadership, and Societal Challenges. Each pillar had its own specific objectives and funding schemes, designed to support a wide range of activities from basic research to market-driven innovation. Horizon 2020 was designed to be simpler than previous research programs, with a single set of rules, reduced red tape, and a faster time to grant. It was also more focused on SMEs, with a dedicated instrument to support their research and innovation activities. The program had a strong emphasis on open access to research results, promoting the sharing of knowledge and data to maximize the impact of EU funding. Furthermore, Horizon 2020 promoted international cooperation, encouraging the participation of researchers and organizations from all over the world. This global approach helped to address challenges that transcend national borders, such as climate change and global health. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, Horizon 2020 aimed to create a more inclusive and effective research and innovation ecosystem in Europe and beyond.

Why Should You Care About Horizon 2020 Now?

Okay, so Horizon 2020 is done, but why bother learning about it? Well, first off, many projects funded under Horizon 2020 are still ongoing. Understanding the program's goals and structures can give you insight into these current projects. Plus, Horizon Europe, the successor to Horizon 2020, builds on many of the same principles and priorities. Knowing how Horizon 2020 worked will give you a head start in navigating Horizon Europe. Basically, it's like understanding the foundation before you try to build the house. Horizon 2020 set the stage for a more integrated and collaborative approach to research and innovation in Europe. It highlighted the importance of addressing societal challenges through research, fostering innovation, and promoting scientific excellence. These themes continue to be central to Horizon Europe, making knowledge of Horizon 2020 highly relevant. Moreover, Horizon 2020 established networks and partnerships that continue to thrive. Many organizations and researchers who collaborated on Horizon 2020 projects are still working together, pursuing new opportunities and building on their previous successes. Understanding the dynamics of these networks can be valuable for anyone looking to get involved in European research and innovation. Furthermore, the lessons learned from Horizon 2020 have informed the design and implementation of Horizon Europe. The feedback from participants, the evaluation of projects, and the analysis of the program's impact have all contributed to improvements in the new program. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Horizon 2020, you can better understand the rationale behind the changes in Horizon Europe. Finally, Horizon 2020 has left a legacy of research results, data, and knowledge that is publicly available. This wealth of information can be a valuable resource for researchers, innovators, and policymakers. By exploring the outcomes of Horizon 2020 projects, you can gain insights into the state-of-the-art in various fields, identify potential areas for further research, and learn from the experiences of others.

Key Areas Funded by Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 was all about tackling big issues. Here's a quick rundown of some key areas that received funding:

  • Excellent Science: This pillar focused on boosting Europe's scientific base. Think funding for the European Research Council (ERC), Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) for researchers, and research infrastructures.
  • Industrial Leadership: This was about making Europe more competitive. It included funding for leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (like ICT, nanotechnologies, advanced materials), access to risk finance, and innovation in SMEs.
  • Societal Challenges: This pillar addressed major concerns shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere. Examples include health, food security, climate action, secure societies, and smart, green, and integrated transport. These key areas demonstrate the breadth and depth of Horizon 2020's impact. The program aimed to support research and innovation across a wide range of disciplines and sectors, addressing challenges that are relevant to society as a whole. By focusing on these key areas, Horizon 2020 helped to advance knowledge, develop new technologies, and create solutions to pressing problems. The emphasis on Excellent Science ensured that Europe remained at the forefront of scientific discovery, while the focus on Industrial Leadership aimed to translate research results into new products and services that could drive economic growth. The Societal Challenges pillar addressed issues that are of direct concern to citizens, such as health, climate change, and security. By funding projects in these areas, Horizon 2020 helped to improve the quality of life for people in Europe and beyond. Furthermore, the program promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together researchers from different fields to work on complex problems. This approach fostered innovation and led to the development of novel solutions that would not have been possible otherwise. Horizon 2020 also emphasized the importance of open access to research results, ensuring that the knowledge generated through the program was widely available and could be used to inform policy and practice. By promoting transparency and collaboration, Horizon 2020 helped to create a more open and inclusive research and innovation ecosystem in Europe.

How to Find Information on Past Horizon 2020 Calls

Even though the calls are closed, you can still access information about them. The European Commission's CORDIS (Community Research and Development Information Service) website is your best friend. You can search for projects, results, and publications related to Horizon 2020. It's like a giant database of EU-funded research. This resource provides a wealth of information on past Horizon 2020 calls, including the topics that were funded, the organizations that participated, and the results that were achieved. By exploring the CORDIS website, you can gain a better understanding of the types of projects that were funded under Horizon 2020 and the priorities that the European Commission was pursuing. The CORDIS website also provides access to project deliverables, which are reports and other documents that describe the progress and outcomes of Horizon 2020 projects. These deliverables can be a valuable source of information for researchers, innovators, and policymakers who are interested in learning more about the results of EU-funded research. In addition to the CORDIS website, you can also find information on past Horizon 2020 calls on the websites of the European Commission's Directorates-General (DGs). Each DG is responsible for a specific policy area, such as research and innovation, energy, or environment. The DGs often publish information on their websites about the Horizon 2020 projects that they have funded, as well as the results that have been achieved. Furthermore, you can also find information on past Horizon 2020 calls on the websites of national contact points (NCPs). NCPs are organizations that provide information and support to researchers and innovators who are interested in participating in EU-funded research programs. NCPs can help you to identify relevant funding opportunities, prepare proposals, and navigate the application process. By contacting your national contact point, you can get personalized advice and support on how to access information on past Horizon 2020 calls and how to participate in future EU-funded research programs.

Transition to Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the current EU research and innovation program, succeeding Horizon 2020. It has a budget of over €95 billion and builds on the successes and lessons learned from its predecessor. If you were interested in Horizon 2020, you'll definitely want to check out Horizon Europe. It addresses similar themes but with some key updates and new priorities. One of the key updates in Horizon Europe is the emphasis on impact. The program aims to support projects that can deliver tangible benefits to society, such as new products, services, and policies. Horizon Europe also places a greater emphasis on open science, encouraging researchers to share their data and results as widely as possible. This approach aims to accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation, and to ensure that the benefits of research are shared with everyone. Another key priority of Horizon Europe is to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA). The ERA is a vision of a single, borderless market for research and innovation in Europe. Horizon Europe aims to support the ERA by promoting collaboration between researchers and organizations across Europe, and by removing barriers to the free flow of knowledge and ideas. Furthermore, Horizon Europe also includes a number of new initiatives, such as the European Innovation Council (EIC). The EIC aims to support breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations that have the potential to create new markets and jobs. The EIC provides funding and support to startups and SMEs that are developing cutting-edge technologies, helping them to scale up and compete on the global stage. By focusing on impact, open science, the ERA, and new initiatives like the EIC, Horizon Europe aims to build on the successes of Horizon 2020 and to create a more innovative and competitive Europe.

Tips for Navigating EU Funding Opportunities

Navigating EU funding can be tricky, but here are a few tips:

  • Read the call documents carefully: Seriously, guys, this is crucial. Understand the objectives, eligibility criteria, and evaluation process.
  • Build a strong consortium: EU projects often require collaboration between multiple organizations. Find partners with complementary expertise.
  • Highlight the impact: Make sure your proposal clearly demonstrates the potential impact of your project on society, the economy, and the environment.
  • Get help from your National Contact Point (NCP): NCPs provide guidance and support to applicants. Don't be afraid to reach out to them!

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success in securing EU funding. The key is to be well-prepared, to understand the requirements of the call, and to build a strong team. Remember to focus on the impact of your project and to demonstrate how it will contribute to the goals of the EU. With careful planning and execution, you can navigate the EU funding landscape and secure the resources you need to bring your ideas to life. Furthermore, it is also important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in EU funding. The European Commission regularly publishes information on new calls for proposals, as well as updates on existing programs. By subscribing to newsletters and following relevant social media accounts, you can ensure that you are always aware of the latest opportunities. Finally, remember that applying for EU funding is a competitive process. It takes time and effort to prepare a high-quality proposal. However, the rewards can be significant, both in terms of funding and in terms of the impact that your project can have. So, if you have a great idea, don't be afraid to go for it! With careful planning, a strong team, and a clear focus on impact, you can navigate the EU funding landscape and make a real difference.

Conclusion

So, while Horizon 2020 might be in the rearview mirror, understanding it is still valuable. It gives you context for current EU funding programs like Horizon Europe and helps you understand the EU's priorities for research and innovation. Now go forth and explore those funding opportunities!