The programme runs from 2021 to 2027 and has a budget of €95.5 billion. The UK is associated to Horizon Europe, which means UK researchers, businesses and organisations can apply for funding on the same terms as organisations in EU countries.
Horizon Europe gives UK applicants access to funding, international networks, research expertise, infrastructure and global talent. It supports collaboration across countries, sectors and disciplines.
What it funds or supports
Horizon Europe funds research and innovation across a wide range of areas. It is designed to support excellent research, strengthen international collaboration and help solve shared challenges. These include:
- excellent research in any field
- researcher mobility and career development
- research infrastructure
- innovation and business growth
- cross-border collaboration
- international research partnerships
- projects that respond to global challenges
- the development of new products, services and technologies
- work that strengthens research and innovation systems
You can find more information on what the work programmes are, what they cover and download available Horizon Europe work programmes documents from their website.
Who can apply
Horizon Europe funding is open to a wide range of organisations, depending on the call.
This can include:
- universities
- research institutes
- businesses and SMEs
- charities and not-for-profit organisations
- public sector organisations
- innovation and research partnerships
- international consortia
Natural persons are also eligible to apply.
UK applicants can apply to lead or join collaborative projects, depending on the funding call.
What UK association means
The UK has been associated to Horizon Europe since January 2024. For calls from the 2024 Work Programme onwards, successful UK applicants receive funding directly from the European Commission. For more information about our association, read Supporting the EU-UK Relationship.
For some successful UK applicants from 2021, 2022 and 2023 Work Programme calls, funding may be covered through the Horizon Europe Guarantee where grants could not be signed before UK association.
Horizon Europe funding areas
Horizon Europe is organised around three main pillars, alongside a cross-cutting programme that supports participation and strengthens the European Research Area.
- Pillar I – Excellent Science supports frontier research, researcher development and world-class research infrastructures.
- Pillar II – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness funds collaborative research and innovation addressing major societal and industrial challenges.
- Pillar III – Innovative Europe supports breakthrough innovation, innovative businesses and stronger European innovation ecosystems.
- Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area supports greater participation in research and innovation and helps strengthen research systems across Europe.
To understand how these funding areas fit together, who they are designed for and where your research, innovation or collaboration idea might fit, see the Horizon Europe Opportunities Overview.
How to find opportunities
Horizon Europe funding opportunities are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Use the portal to:
- search for open and upcoming funding calls
- read call topics and eligibility requirements
- check deadlines and budgets
- access Work Programme documents
- find partners
- start and submit applications
- manage proposals and grants
For guidance on how to find calls, register your organisation and submit a proposal through the portal, see our step-by-step guidance.
Many Horizon Europe projects involve international collaboration. You may need to join or create a consortium with partners from other countries. For further information, read our find partners and build a winning consortium guidance.
Get support
UK applicants can get free guidance from UK National Contact Points.
National Contact Points can help you understand the programme, identify relevant calls, check eligibility and navigate the application process.
Last updated: 29 October 2026