Structure of the programme

Pillar 1 – Excellent Science

a) European Research Council (ERC) – The ERC was established in 2007 to provide funding for excellent frontier research. The emphasis is on early-stage researchers, and the competition for funding is based solely on excellence on an EU-wide basis.

b) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – The MSCA aim to fund excellent research and innovation while providing researchers with new knowledge and skills through mobility and exposure to different sectors and disciplines.

c) Research Infrastructures (RI) – RI serve as vital facilities that offer resources and services to support research communities in pursuing innovation and knowledge advancement. The HE aims to establish sustainable and top-tier European research infrastructures accessible to the finest researchers globally.

Pillar 2 – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness

Pillar 2 moves beyond the societal challenges familiar under Horizon 2020, tackling major global challenges and addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the same time, the calls address Europe’s competitiveness in technology, embracing challenges which are often complex and require interdisciplinary solutions and activities from research to innovation.

Pillar 2 is organised into six clusters, with a supporting area (JRC activities), and crosscutting ‘Missions’.

Pillar 3 – Innovative Europe

a) European Innovation Council (EIC)– The EIC promotes breakthrough innovation with scale-up potential at the global level. It focuses mainly on breakthrough, deep tech and disruptive innovation, targeting especially market-creating innovation.

b) European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) – EIE act in complement with the EIC and European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and innovative activities across HE and other EU funding programmes to improve the overall ecosystem for innovation in Europe.

c) European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)– The EIT is an independent EU body. It increases Europe’s innovation ability by nurturing entrepreneurial talent and supporting new ideas.

Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area

These actions contribute to building research and innovation capacity for countries lagging behind. Participants in the programme will be able to upgrade their research and innovation systems.