Horizon Europe
Background information on the Horizon Europe programme.
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the largest collaborative research and innovation (R&I) programme in the world with €95.5bn funding available over the programme from 2021-2027. It provides funding support to researchers and innovators ranging from individuals to large scale businesses.
As part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and EU, it was decided in December 2020 that the UK would associate to the Horizon Europe Programme, subject to formalisation of the association agreement and adoption of the protocols agreed under the EU-UK TCA. Association gives UK and Northern Ireland (NI) scientists, researchers and businesses access to funding under the programme on equivalent terms as organisations in EU countries.
Horizon Europe retains the same focus on excellent research of its predecessor, Horizon 2020. Funding calls are based on three main areas:
- excellent science
- global challenges and European industrial competitiveness
- Innovative Europe
The Horizon Europe Work Programme for the period 2025 outlines the objectives and specific topic areas that will receive a total of €7.3bn in funding and NI scientists, researchers and businesses are strongly encouraged to form collaborative partnerships with international counterparts and to bid into Horizon Europe.
UK association to Horizon Europe
On 4 December 2023, the UK and EU signed the bespoke new agreement at an EU-UK Specialised Committee for participation in Union Programmes (SCPUP) finalising the UKs association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes.
A UK-EU agreement explainer - gov.uk website for UK Horizon Europe applicants and grant holders has been published by the UK government providing further detail on eligibility, what association status means, work programme detail and what is included.
The European Commission has also published a comprehensive Q&A on UK association to Horizon Europe
1st January 2025 marked the one-year anniversary of the UKs association to the Horizon Europe programme and the UK government announced a raft of plans to drive up participation in Horizon Europe by researchers, innovators and businesses across the UK
Further details on Horizon Europe are available on the UK government and UKRI websites:
- Horizon Europe Funding – GOV.UK(external link opens in a new window / tab)
- Working on EU-funded projects – UKRI(external link opens in a new window / tab)
The most recent Northern Ireland (NI) Performance statistics (July 2025) indicate that researchers, scientists and businesses in Northern Ireland have had 91 projects mainlisted, securing total funding of €37.1 million.
Framework Programme 10 (FP10)
On 16th July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for Framework Programme 10 (FP10). This programme, once again named Horizon Europe, is set to run from 2028 to 2034. It aims to build upon the achievements and successes of the current research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, which spans from 2021 to 2027.
For more details, you can visit the official announcement Horizon Europe 2028-2034
Is there help available for potential Horizon Europe applicants?
Northern Ireland Contact Point (NICP) Network
The NICP network is a resource available to all potential applicants from Northern Ireland who are interested in engaging with Horizon Europe. Northern Ireland-based Contact Points (NICPs) can provide support in the form of:
- organising relevant events/workshops
- assistance with identifying areas of relevance within the competitive Horizon Europe calls
- help in identifying collaborative partners for applications
- engaging with National Contact Points
- practical advice and support with the process itself.
Further information and key points, events and news for the NI research community is available on the Horizon Europe NI website and through the NI Contact Points
Useful links
- Horizon Europe NI
- Horizon Europe | European Commission (europa.eu) Funding and Tenders Portal
- European Commission’s research and innovation portal
- IntertradeIreland’s website for Horizon Europe | InterTradeIreland
- Invest NI’s website for Horizon Europe | nibusinessinfo.co.uk