Links to Horizon Europe and Other EU Funding Resources

Horizon Europe

After Brexit, the UK Government decided to associate only to the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes. An agreement between the European Commission and the UK Government was reached in late 2023. According to the agreement, the UK is now associated to the Horizon Europe programme, with the exception of the European Innovation Council Fund.

Horizon

This means that, starting from 1 January 2024, UK organisations, can participate in Horizon Europe calls for proposals on the same terms as institutions from other EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

COST

UK institutions can participate in COST Actions. COST is an intergovernmental framework consisting of more than 40 countries. The UK is a Full Member of COST, so UK-based researchers and innovators are fully eligible to apply to and participate in COST Actions. This is independent of the UK’s status in Horizon Europe, unless the UK’s membership in COST is changed.

Other EU Funding Programmes

As of the beginning of 2025, the UK has not associated to almost all other EU funding programmes apart from Horizon Europe. These include the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, Creative Europe, Digital Europe, the European Defence Fund, Erasmus+, EU4Health, Euratom, the Justice Programme, LIFE, the Single Market Programme, and many others.

In these programmes, the UK is recognised as a third country. In most cases, organisations from third countries can participate in EU projects as Associated Partners without receiving EU funding, but only if the relevant programme’s legal basis allows for this. This also means that such participants need to cover their own costs.

Links to Funder Information Sources

Sometimes, it may take longer to find the appropriate information source than to read the necessary details. Therefore, I have made an effort to compile links to the most common official information sources of the European Commission.

On the official website of the European Union, everyone can find the main details about the Horizon Europe programme: Horizon Europe - European Commission. 

There are three main Horizon Europe Pillars: 

Pillar I: Excellent Science

Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness

Pillar III: Innovative Europe

A major part of Horizon Europe funding is planned to be awarded as collaborative grants under Pillar II to address Global Challenges and improve European Industrial Competitiveness.

These initiatives are spread across six clusters within the second Horizon Europe pillar: 

Cluster 1: Health 

Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 

Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society 

Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space 

Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility 

Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment 

A significant amount of funding is allocated under the first Horizon Europe pillar, specifically for the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

You can access and find an appropriate call and topic in your area of interest on the EU Funding and Tender Opportunities portal.

EU Funding & Tenders Portal Horizon Europe reference documents.

Horizon Dashboard for checking the average personnel costs.

Strategy, documents and tools for dissemination and exploitation of research results.

Some additional information sources for those interested in EU funding

The network of UK National Contact Points (NCPs) provides guidance, practical information, and assistance on all aspects of participation in European R&I Framework Programmes, including Horizon Europe.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) provides services to support UK applicants participating in Horizon Europe. UKRI aims to ensure that UK researchers and organisations can fully engage with the Horizon Europe programme.

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