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. The UK has been associated to the Horizon Europe since 4 December 2023. Association gives UK scientists, researchers and businesses access to funding under the programme (with a small number of exclusions) on equivalent terms as organisations in EU countries.
Horizon Europe funding calls are based on three main areas:
- excellent science
- global challenges and European industrial competitiveness
- Innovative Europe
The Horizon Europe Work Programme outlines the objectives and specific topic areas that will receive funding. Northern Ireland-based scientists, researchers and businesses are strongly encouraged to form collaborative partnerships with international counterparts to submit bids to Horizon Europe.
Further details on Horizon Europe are available on the UK government and UKRI websites:
Horizon Europe 2028-2034
On 16th July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for Horizon Europe, 2028 to 2034.
For more details, you can visit the official announcement Horizon Europe 2028-2034
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