Horizon Europe is the European framework programme for research and innovation intended for the period 2021-2027. It is the EU’s main funding programme in this area and holds a EUR 95.5 billion budget, including 5.4 billion attributed to NextGenerationEU.
The programme is aimed at supporting the Union’s policies and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by generating knowledge, incentivising competitiveness and growth of the EU, and strengthening the impact of R&I. Horizon Europe’s work programmes benefit a wide range of topics and technologies, especially in the six clusters of Pillar II, which tackle key global challenges that underpin EU policies and the Sustainable Development Goals.
How much is available for carbon removal?
In the 2021-2022 work budget, 1.1% of funding went to projects directly related to carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and 1.8% to projects directly and indirectly related. In the 2023-2024 work budget, the shares were 1.2% and 3.8% respectively. Some directly related projects include NegEm and SeaO2 CDR.
Indirect CDR projects include projects ranging from carbon capture and storage (CCS) and CO2 infrastructure projects to digital solutions and monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV).
On the horizon
The 2025 work programme should be released by May 2025. Additionally, Framework Programme (FP) 9, which funds Horizon Europe, will end in 2027. The next FP, FP10, will determine funding for the next seven years after 2027. Several public consultations will take place from 2025 onwards to inform this procedure.
Technology readiness level support
Horizon Europe is open to very early technology readiness levels (TRLs) up to level 6 or 7.
Eligibility
A wide range of technologies and methods can access Horizon Europe funding. Eligibility is mostly determined on a case-by-case basis.
Horizon Europe is open to all EU member states and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Generally, other third countries are also welcome to apply, though there are restrictions on some topics.
Funding rates
Horizon Europe provides different support depending on the kinds of projects:
- Research & Innovation Actions projects are covered for 100% of eligible project costs and are directed to generating new knowledge and exploring new technologies;
- Coordination & Support Actions are also covered for 100% of eligible projects costs;
- Innovation Actions projects are covered until 70% of costs and focus more on prototyping, testing, piloting and large-scale product validation, and marker replication.