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Horizon Europe
1 phase
Strategic Analysis
This call offers a critical opportunity for individual pan-European Research Infrastructures (RIs) to strategically evolve, ensuring their long-term sustainability and enhanced relevance. A winning proposal must articulate a clear vision for strengthening the RI's operational, financial, and scientific foundations, while significantly broadening its user base and international reach. Emphasis should be placed on concrete actions that lead to a more robust, accessible, and impactful European RI landscape, directly addressing EU policy priorities and global competitiveness.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
enlargement of the membership or broadening of the base of participating countries, notably widening countries and candidate countries;
addressing critical aspects raised following an assessment or monitoring exercise, e.g. in the context of ESFRI activities;
reinforcing international cooperation;
revision of business/funding plan;
development of managerial and technical skills for research infrastructure staff;
structuring and strengthening of national/thematic nodes;
extension of remote and/or virtual access;
management of research data according to the FAIR principles;
reorientation or evolution of the research infrastructure scope;
development, update and or implementation of impact assessment of the research infrastructure.
better structured and strengthened European research infrastructure landscape;
new services available to a wider user community, including participants in other parts of Horizon Europe, allowing to better tackle scientific and societal challenges;
increased capacity to address EU policy priorities and/or socio-economic challenges;
reinforced global competitiveness of the European Research Area;
reduction of environmental (including climate-related) impacts as well as optimisation of resource and energy consumption integrated through the full life cycle of research infrastructures;
increased long-term sustainability of European research infrastructures.
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
highRegulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe as the EU's framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It defines the programme's overarching objectives, structure (Pillars, Missions, Partnerships), funding instruments, and general rules for participation, aiming to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases and foster competitiveness.
Proposals must demonstrate full compliance with the Horizon Europe Regulation, including its general objectives, ethical principles, and rules for participation. Evaluators expect proposals to articulate how they contribute to the broader strategic goals of Horizon Europe, such as achieving scientific excellence, fostering innovation ecosystems, and addressing EU strategic priorities like digital transformation and strategic autonomy.
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
highCouncil Decision (EU) 2021/764 establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe, detailing the specific objectives, budget breakdown, and broad lines of activities for each pillar and cluster, including the 'Digital, Industry and Space' cluster. It provides more granular guidance on the types of research and innovation activities to be supported within the broader Horizon Europe framework.
Proposals should clearly align with the specific objectives and expected impacts outlined in the Specific Programme Decision for the relevant cluster (e.g., Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space'). Evaluators will look for how the project contributes to the detailed work programme priorities and expected outcomes, demonstrating a clear understanding of the strategic direction for space research and innovation within Horizon Europe.
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
highThis regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare.
Evaluators will look for clear financial planning, cost-efficiency analysis, and compliance with EU financial rules, particularly in demonstrating the economic viability and sustainability of the proposed AI solutions.
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
mediumThis Decision, adopted on 7 July 2021, authorises the use of lump sum contributions as a simplified funding option under the Horizon Europe Programme. It aims to reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries by shifting the focus from detailed cost reporting to the achievement of agreed-upon results and deliverables, thereby simplifying financial management and increasing efficiency.
Proposals referencing this Decision should clearly indicate if they intend to use lump sum funding and, if so, provide a robust justification for the proposed lump sum amount. Evaluators expect to see a clear methodology for achieving the defined results, a detailed breakdown of activities linked to deliverables, and a convincing demonstration of value for money, ensuring that the lump sum is fair and reasonable for the expected outcomes.
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that:
The AI has drafted potential core elements based on the call analysis. To start building your project proposal structure, select the elements that resonate with your consortium's concept. You can refine and rewrite them fully once your project workspace is created.
Many RIs face challenges in securing stable, long-term funding and adapting their operational models to evolving scientific and user needs, hindering their ability to provide continuous, high-quality services and remain competitive.
Geographic, technical, and awareness barriers limit the full exploitation of RIs by a diverse user base, particularly from widening countries and international partners, thereby reducing their overall impact and global competitiveness.
RIs may not fully integrate environmental sustainability practices or effectively measure and communicate their broader societal contributions, leading to missed opportunities for policy alignment, public engagement, and responsible innovation.
These are the primary beneficiaries who will gain enhanced managerial, technical, and data management skills, leading to improved operational efficiency and strategic planning for the RI.
This group will benefit from expanded and more accessible RI services, new scientific capabilities, and improved data management, enabling them to tackle complex scientific and societal challenges more effectively.
These stakeholders will benefit from a better structured and more sustainable European RI landscape, clearer impact assessments, and increased capacity of RIs to align with and address key EU policy priorities.
This group will indirectly benefit from enhanced access to cutting-edge research facilities and data, fostering innovation, technology transfer, and competitiveness within the European Research Area.
Society will benefit from the RI's increased capacity to address socio-economic challenges, reduced environmental impact of research activities, and the overall advancement of scientific knowledge for public good.
These countries will benefit from increased participation in pan-European RIs, strengthened national/thematic nodes, and enhanced access to advanced research capabilities, contributing to closing the innovation gap.
This objective aims to fortify the RI's internal structures and processes, ensuring its adaptability and long-term viability. Activities will include reviewing and updating business and funding plans, developing advanced managerial and technical skills for staff, and strategically reorienting the RI's scientific or service scope to meet emerging needs.
This objective focuses on increasing the RI's impact by making its services and resources available to a wider audience. This involves enlarging membership, fostering international cooperation, strengthening national and thematic nodes, and extending remote and virtual access capabilities to researchers and innovators, particularly from widening and candidate countries.
This objective seeks to ensure the RI actively contributes to addressing major societal and environmental challenges. Key activities include implementing robust data management according to FAIR principles, developing and applying comprehensive impact assessment methodologies, and integrating measures to reduce environmental (including climate-related) impacts and optimize resource and energy consumption across the RI's full life cycle.
The project will lead to a more coherent and effective management of pan-European RIs, fostering better resource allocation and strategic alignment across member states and international partners, thereby strengthening the European Research Area.
Enhanced training programs will equip RI staff and users with the necessary managerial and technical skills, promoting a highly skilled workforce capable of operating and utilizing cutting-edge research facilities and managing data according to FAIR principles.
The integration of environmental sustainability measures will lead to a significant reduction in the ecological footprint of RIs, optimizing energy and resource consumption throughout their lifecycle and contributing to climate action.
By reorienting their scope and developing new services, RIs will be better positioned to support key EU policy agendas (e.g., Green Deal, Digital Europe) and contribute directly to solving pressing societal issues, thereby increasing their relevance and impact.