The Horizon Europe structure

Horizon Europe is divided into three pillars. Below you will find an overview of the key points behind this structure:

Pillar 1: Excellent Science

• European Research Council (ERC)
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
• Research Infrastructures

Pillar 1 objectives:

• Strengthen excellent basic research and "pioneering research"
• Develop, retain and regain talent from science and innovation-driven research in the European Research Area
• Link and further develop existing research infrastructures throughout the European Research Area and provide transnational access to them

Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness Clusters

• Health
• Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
• Civil Security for Society
• Digital, Industry and Space
• Climate, Energy and Mobility
• Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre

Pillar 2 objectives:

• Contribution to addressing global challenges, sustainable development under Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
• Gaining Knowledge through research funding
• Funding of all forms of innovation
• Divided into 6 thematic clusters, further subdivided into so-called Destinations

Pillar 3: Innovative Europe

•  European Innovation Council (EIC)
•  European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)
•  European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

Pillar 3 objectives:

• Europe as a pioneer in market-creating innovation and SME growth
• Development of the entire European innovation landscape
• Business integration, research, higher education and entrepreneurship

Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area

• Widening participation and spreading excellence
• Reforming and enhancing the European Research and Innovation system

Objectives of widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area

• Equality and an inclusive vision of Europe
• Reducing inequalities in the research and innovation sector within Europe
• Strengthening of links between R&I players across Europe