The European Union funds research in a variety of ways as part of Horizon Europe, an ambitious 95.5 billion euro research and innovation programme to succeed Horizon 2020. Its funding programmes include support for collaborative research projects as well as individual measures such as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and ERC Grants.
© DAAD/Sigrid Gombert
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s main instrument for promoting research, technological development and innovation until 2027. It is the EU’s biggest ever research and innovation programme, with 95.5 billion euros of funding to be made available over 7 years. The various Horizon Europe programmes will contribute significantly to making the European research landscape better interconnected and to creating a European Research Area (ERA), while helping achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosting the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The budget is divided amongst three pillars and an additional fourth part:
Over 25 billion euros is being made available for excellent science. These funds will be allocated to various programmes:
This funding is used to support projects in research and development in the European Union and associated countries. Researchers, developers and research institutions receive direct financial support, usually in the form of grants.
Budget: 95.5 billion euros (2021–2027)
4 key areas: excellent science, industrial competitiveness, innovation and the European Research Area
Excellent science with a budget of over 25 billion euros
The two programmes ERC and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions award funding for researchers at all career stages.
The European Research Council aims to support ground-breaking research in all research disciplines with ERC Grants.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) primarily aim to improve researcher mobility and career development. The MSCA offer a variety of different sponsorship programmes, ranging from individual fellowships to (host-driven) institutional actions.
Working on behalf of the German government, the Network of German National Contact Points for Horizon Europe offers free advice and information on EU funding instruments to potential applicants at German research institutions. The following services are provided:
More: The German National Contact Points MSCA (NCP MSCA) and ERC (NCP ERC) provide information and advice relating to participation in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and funding provided by the European Research Council.
The European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) offers information, consulting and training on EU research funding for any EU research project.
The Network of National Contact Points for Horizon Europe in Germany is coordinated by the DLR-PT, EU Bureau of the BMBF.
Postdoctoral researchers of any nationality can enhance their qualifications and diversify their competences by conducting a research project at a research institution in Germany.
PhD students can benefit from the EU mobility programme: RISE facilitates staff exchange between higher education institutions, research institutes and companies in different countries.
International postdoctoral researchers with 2 to 7 years of research experience can strengthen their research independence by establishing their own research team.
International senior researchers who completed their PhD thesis between 7 and 12 years ago can strengthen their research independence through the consolidation of their own research team.
Senior researchers of any nationality can carry out research projects at the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines. Interdisciplinary projects are highly encouraged.