EU invests €7.3 billion from Horizon Europe to boost competitiveness and talent.

The European Commission is investing over €7.3 billion through its newly adopted Horizon Europe work programme for 2025 to strengthen Europe’s research and innovation engine and global edge. This will drive cutting-edge science, accelerate the EU’s green and digital transitions, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness.

The programme will help attract and retain top researchers in Europe and offer targeted support to those affected by war and displacement. As part of these efforts, the Commission is updating the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 2023-25 work programme part to offer more support for Ukrainian scientists and to launch a new MSCA ‘Choose Europe for Science’ pilot, which will offer more support and opportunities for early-career researchers, including competitive allowances and longer contracts.

This pilot is part of a €500 million package for 2025–2027 and the wider ‘Choose Europe’ initiative to make Europe a magnet for researchers, presented by President von der Leyen last week. The initiative focuses on three goals: keeping science free and open, investing in talent, and accelerating innovation in Europe.

Through the European Research Council (ERC), researchers relocating to Europe already receive a top-up beyond their grant, which has recently been doubled. Additionally, a new seven-year ‘super grants’ under the ERC will offer long-term support for top talent.

Key aspects of the Horizon Europe 2025 work programme:

Delivering on EU priorities: Research and innovation (R&I) are central to the EU’s priorities – from boosting competitiveness, defence and security to improving citizens’ lives. The 2025 work programme will fund digital and space technologies, support green projects and sustainable development. It also targets organised crime and terrorist threat, while helping cut carbon emissions and reduce energy costs. More than €663 million will be invested in the five EU Missions.

Accelerating climate and digital goals: To help make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the EU is directing 35% of Horizon Europe funding towards climate goals. In the 2025 work programme, 35% of the budget is allocated to climate action and 8.8% to biodiversity. This includes €1.14 billion for climate, energy and transport projects, and €833 million for food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment. At the same time, 36% of its Horizon Europe funding supports the digital transition, with €1.6 billion earmarked for artificial intelligence development.

Automotive research and innovation: The 2025 work programme aims to support the transformation of the European automotive industry through research and innovation by focusing on benefits such as cleaner and more competitive transport solutions. It supports the development of next-generation battery electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing techniques for automotive components, vehicle digitalisation, cybersecurity, and circular economy practices. Additionally, it promotes the creation of smart, resilient mobility systems.

Simplifying application: The Commission has started a simplification effort with the 2025 work programme to make it more accessible and user-friendly. Shorter topic descriptions and the use of more open topics will give applicants greater freedom to propose different pathways to innovative outcomes. Where appropriate, wider use of simplified cost options, such as lump sum grants that represent 35% of the total budget, removes unnecessary financial reporting requirements for beneficiaries. 29 two-stage topics will allow applicants to first submit shorter proposals and only prepare full proposals if selected for the second stage. This will reduce the administrative burden for applicants.

Supporting talent: By investing in talent, the programme addresses brain drain and promotes a vibrant research landscape. The ‘Choose Europe for Science’ pilot, part of the MSCA, will invest €22.5 million to attract and retain promising young talent in Europe. The pilot will offer more support and opportunities for early-career researchers, including competitive allowances and longer contracts. It will co-fund postdoctoral fellowships providing researchers with excellent research, teaching or management opportunities.

Revitalising European neighbourhoods: Running from 2025 to 2027, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is the first-ever multiannual funding tool for innovative projects to make Europe’s living spaces more sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful for everyone. For 2025, the NEB Facility call for proposals, which will open tomorrow, has a dedicated budget of €118.4 million from the Horizon Europe programme. Half of the funding – approximately €63 million – will finance demonstrator projects showcasing how to apply NEB in the local environment, for instance with regenerative design. The other half will focus on fundamental research as well other support actions.

Supporting Ukrainian researchers: The programme encourages all applicants to create opportunities for scientists and organisations affected by Russia’s war of aggression. Support will continue for the Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, which builds stronger EU–Ukraine research networks and supports access of Ukrainian researchers to EU funding. Through the MSCA4Ukraine initiative, €10 million from the MSCA will go to Ukrainian researchers. When conditions allow, the programme will also help scientists return and help rebuild Ukraine’s research and innovation.

Supporting Gazan researchers: The 2025 work programme offers immediate support to Gazan researchers through a Virtual Research Collaboration Hub, which will provide mentorship, collaboration opportunities and access to academic resources to Gazan researchers. It will identify and connect Gazan researchers with existing regional and local initiatives, potential beneficiaries and stakeholders that could provide support.

Next Steps

The first calls for proposals will open on 15 May on the Commission’s Funding and Tenders portal.

Further simplification of the Horizon Europe work programme is planned for 2026-27.

Background

Horizon Europe is the EU’s €93.5 billion research and innovation programme running from 2021 to 2027. Most of the programme’s funding is allocated based on competitive calls for proposals, set out in work programmes which outline the objectives and specific topic areas. The work programme also includes the applicable rules such as the standard admissibility conditions and eligibility criteria, selection and award criteria.

The 2025 Horizon Europe work programme is based on Horizon Europe’s strategic plan 2025-2027, adopted in March 2024, which was co-created by Commission services and co-designed with Member States and countries associated Horizon Europe, the European Parliament and more than 2,000 stakeholders and citizens. Contributions from stakeholders for the 2025 work programme were also collected through a feedback opportunity open in April and May 2024.

More information: European Commission