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Horizon Europe
About Horizon Europe
is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports the creation and better diffusion of excellent knowledge and technologies.
It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.
Horizon Europe has four main categories for funding: (Pillar 1), (Pillar 2), (Pillar 3) and (focusing on developing countries).
Work Programmes 2026
The European Commission has published the  for the final two years of Horizon Europe to help prepare in advance for upcoming calls for proposals. Please click on the below links for a summary of the upcoming Horizon Europe calls in 2026 and 2027:
Pillar I: Excellent Science
Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
- Cluster 1: Health summary sheet [XLSX 29KB]
- Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society summary sheet [XLSX 35.3KB]
- Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society summary sheet [XLSX 28.9KB]
- Cluster 4: Digital Industry and Space summary sheet [XLSX 29.1KB]
- Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility summary sheet [XLSX 34.9KB]
- Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment summary sheet [XLSX 40.2KB]
- Missions summary sheet [XLSX 32.7KB]
- New European Bauhaus summary sheet [XLSX 26KB].
- Horizontal Actions
Pillar III: Innovative Europe
Useful documents and links
- Sussex Horizon Europe Cluster Proposal Template with examples and guidance (Part A) [PDF 562.2KB]
- Horizon Europe Overview [1.5MB]
- .
The is the single entry point for applicants, contractors and experts in funding. All Horizon Europe funding calls and Work Programmes will be published on this portal.
The will enable you to obtain tailored EU news and funding; registration is free for Sussex staff members.
ERC Starting Grant information session
Date: Wed 29 July 2026
Time: 2-3pm
Location: Online Zoom
Details: Please join Research Development for an information session about the ERC Starting Grant – including hearing from two successful awardees: Novi Quadrianto (Informatics) and Dan Paget (Politics). are targeted at talented early-career scientists who have already produced excellent supervised work, are ready to work independently and show potential to be a research leader. Researchers can apply for a Starting Grant immediately after successfully defending their PhD, and at any time within the following 10-year period.
Starting Grants promote substantial advances in the frontiers of knowledge – in any research discipline – by encouraging new, innovative thinking. Up to €1.5m per grant is available for a maximum of 5 years. The Call runs annually and this year’s deadline is expected to be 14 October 2026.
Slides and recordings from past events
National Contact Point (NCP) help and support
The network of National Contact Points (NCP) is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe. You can find the relevant NCP on (select ‘Associated Countries’ > ‘United Kingdom’).
The NCPs are appointed by the UK government to give you impartial advice on Horizon Europe. Their service is free to use.
Each team member has expert knowledge in a specific area of funding. Contact your NCP expert for help with any aspect of Horizon Europe. For example:
- choosing funding opportunities
- finding partners
- preparing your proposal
- applying
- liaising with the European Commission on the scope of projects
- administrative procedures
- contractual issues.