The “HORIZON 2020” program is the EU’s largest research and innovation programme. In a period of 7 years (2014-2020) it has allocated almost 80 billion euros. (This amount does not include the private investments that will attract this money).
Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy aimed at ensuring Europe’s global competitiveness.
The program is seen as a means to promote economic development and job creation. Horizon 2020 has the political support of Europe’s leaders and Members of the European Parliament. Together, they agreed that research is an investment in our future and is thus at the heart of the EU’s plan for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs.
By combining research and innovation, Horizon 2020 contributes to this goal by focusing on excellent science, industry leadership and addressing societal challenges. The aim is to ensure that Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together to deliver innovation.
The Horizon 2020 program is open to all, with a simple structure that reduces bureaucracy and time so that participants can focus on what is really important. This approach ensures that new projects get done quickly and get results just as quickly.
The EU framework program for research and innovation will be complemented by further measures to complete and further develop the European Research Area. These measures will aim to remove barriers to creating a true single market for knowledge, research and innovation.
