1. The European Union's programme for Research and Innovation
HORIZON 2020
The European Union's programme for Research and Innovation
Open to the world!
Luigi Scarpa de Masellis
EU Delegation to Canada

2. The European Union 500 million people - 28 countries - a single market*
7% of the World's population
24% of world expenditure on research
32% of high-impact publications
32% of patent applications
The European Union is a world leader in research and innovation, responsible for 24% of world expenditure on research, 32% of high impact publications and 32% of patent applications, while representing only 7% of the world population.
Over recent decades the world landscape of research and innovation has evolved rapidly, with emerging economies strengthening their research and innovation systems. The number of scientific publications has increased significantly, yet the European Union has maintained its proportional share of the number of scientific publications.
Member states of the European Union
*Free movement of people, goods, services and capital

3. WHAT IS HORIZON 2020?
A €80 billion research and innovation funding program ( )
A response to economic crisis by investing in future jobs and growth
It addresses people's concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment
Research and innovation have been placed at the centre of the EU budget for the programming period between EU leaders believe strongly that research and innovation will create the economic opportunities of tomorrow.
Horizon 2020, the new programme for research and innovation has been allocated a budget of almost 80 billion euros over the next seven years.
 Europe, like much of the world, faces major challenges such as ageing populations and the depletion of natural resources. This affects all of our lives directly, for example through high health care costs, rising energy prices, congested roads, and threats to security.
Horizon 2020 is designed to address these societal challenges through funding excellent science, technology and innovation.
[It is central to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the Innovation Union flagship to create a knowledge society, and the goal to complete the European Research Area as a single market for knowledge.]
Open to the world

4. Horizon 2020 A single programme
Coupling research with innovation: 'from lab to market'
Focus on societal challenges: health, clean energy, transport, etc.
Open to participation: companies, universities, institutes in EU and beyond
Horizon 2020 allows seamless funding of research and innovation, so that innovative projects can be supported from the laboratory to commercial exploitation.  
All forms of innovation are included, including innovation in services and social innovation.
Horizon aims to include the best researchers and innovators regardless of where they are located. It is open to participation by researchers from anywhere in the world.
The work programmes, identifying the research are to be funded, are published every two years.
All proposals are reviewed by international , independent experts.

5. Horizon 2020 is focused on three priorities: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges [ all of which are open for international participation].

6. Excellent science European Research Council
Supporting top researchers from anywhere in the world to work in Europe
Future and Emerging Technologies
Supporting visionary thinking through collaborations between science and engineering
Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Providing opportunities for training and career development of individual researchers
Research infrastructures- including e-infrastructure
Ensuring access to world-class facilities
This first pillar includes several activities aimed at individual researchers of any nationality – offering very interesting opportunities to spend part of their research career in Europe.
The European Research Council offers extremely generous and flexible grants for researchers , from anywhere in the world, to establish research groups in Europe. The grants support investigator driven, 'frontier' research in any scientific discipline and there is only one criterion; excellence.
The Marie Sklodowska Curie actions support the career development and training of researchers –in all scientific disciplines, through transnational, intersectional and interdisciplinary mobility. Grants for all stages of researchers' careers are available. The MSCA will be the main EU programme for doctoral training, funding PhDs.
Funding in millions: European Research Council €13 095; Future and emerging technologies €2 696; Marie Sklodowska- Curie Actions € 6 162; Research Infrastructures €2 488

7. Industrial leadership
Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Emphasising key technologies in areas such as advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT and space
Key enabling technologies - such as advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, nanotechnology and biotechnology - underpin innovation across many industries and sectors. Innovative companies are at the heart of job creation and growth:
Strategic investments in key technologies (e.g. advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics) underpin innovation across existing and emerging sectors
Like every other world region, Europe wants to attract more private investment in research and innovation
Like every other world region, Europe wants more innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to create growth and jobs.
€ million will be available for research in Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies.
Collaborative research proposals are invited from consortia of research organisations which may also include international partners.

8. Societal challenges Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
Secure, clean and efficient energy
Smart, green and integrated transport
Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
Secure societies
This, the part of Horizon 2020 in financial terms, aims to address, major challenges concerns of citizens and society through collaborative research and innovation.
For example, reducing CO2 emissions depends on new technologies and solutions for energy, transport, agriculture and the management of resources.
Such challenges are shared by all countries across the globe.
 The challenges require a broad, multi-disciplinary approach that brings together researchers, industry, public bodies and users to create innovative solutions that will meet peoples' needs.
 Horizon 2020 will support not only research into new technologies and solutions, but also their piloting, demonstration and market uptake. In this way the full impact of EU funding will be achieved.
Collaborative research proposals are invited from consortia of research organisations which may also include international partners.
Funding: Health, demographic change and wellbeing (€ 7 472); Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime and inland waterway research and the Bioeconomy (€ 3 851); Secure, clean and efficient energy (€ 5 931); Smart, green and integrated transport (€ 6 339); Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials (€ 3 081); Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies (€ 1 310); Secure societies (€1 695)

9. HORIZON 2020: Open to the world GENERAL OPENNESS
Horizon 2020 is open to participation of researchers from anywhere in the world, to:
Extend the frontiers of scientific knowledge
Tackle challenges that affect us all
Make industries more competitive
A New International Strategy
The European Commission's approach to international cooperation has been set out in a Communication in entitled "Enhancing and focusing EU international cooperation in research and innovation: a strategic approach".
The general openness of Horizon 2020 to the participation of researchers from public and private organisations from across the world is part of this approach.
International Cooperation is therefore mainstreamed across Horizon 2020 to tackle global challenges, promote mobility of researchers and boost the competitiveness of industries

10. Benefits of International research improve research quality
access to knowledge
open up markets
sharing expertise
improve research quality
science diplomacy
higher global profile
International cooperation brings these benefits to all partners – be they in Europe or elsewhere in the world.
International cooperation is necessary to address effectively many specific objectives defined in Horizon This is the case in particular for all the societal challenges which need to be tackled at global level.
International cooperation is also essential for frontier and basic research in order to capture the benefits from emerging science and technology opportunities.
Promoting the international mobility of researchers and innovators is crucial for enhancing this global cooperation.
Activities at the international level are equally important to enhance the competitiveness of industries by promoting the take-up and trade of novel technologies, for instance through the development of worldwide standards and guidelines.

11. HORIZON 2020: Open to the world
1. Projects can include international partners
2. Targeted opening
- In certain topics in calls for proposals, inclusion of international partners may be:
encouraged (e.g. Arctic and Marine research with Canada) or
b) required
3. Coordinated calls
Used for specific actions (e.g. identified through joint steering commites). Paired calls, linked evaluations, two contracts, e.g.:
EU-Canada R&D cooperation in Aerospace
Partnering with Brazil on advanced biofuels
All of H2020 is open to international cooperation. Any consortium on any topic mentioned can include an international partner. This is what we call 'General Opening'. It is completely bottom up and requires only that project coordinators include international partners when preparing their consortium.
In addition to this 'General Opening', there is what we call 'targeted opening' – on topics which are pre-identified in the Work Programmes as encouraging or requiring international partners. These topics usually arise out of the dialogues we have with our main international partners and in this way can be considered 'Top Down'.
With certain partner countries, coordinated calls for proposals can be jointly agreed and the partners funded separately be each side . The topics for coordinated calls , which bring mutual benefit, are always agreed in the policy dialogues we have with the partner country.
Our targeted efforts with our near neighbours will focus on regional issues and challenges; targeted collaboration with developing countries will emphasise joint solutions to the specific difficulties faced by those countries, whether it be food security, water management, agricultural development, particular health issues, or coping with natural and man-made disasters; targeted engagement with industrialised countries and with emerging economies will concentrate more strongly on competitiveness, generating business opportunities through greater mutual access to markets, and tackling global challenges.
Coordinated calls should be a major tool for the flagship initiatives we will develop with major partner countries. An example is the Transatlantic Ocean Research Initiative, for which €65 million is foreseen in targeted activities throughout the calls.

12. Rules of participation
Applicants from non-EU countries are eligible to take part in Horizon 2020 programmes, even as coordinator
All proposals must meet certain minimum conditions (in Rules for Participation)
The Rules of Participation distinguish between eligibility to participate and eligibility for funding.
Eligibility to participate : a legal entity from (almost) anywhere in the world can participate in a consortium as long as the minimum conditions are met (at least 3 legal entities from 3 different EU or Associated countries).
A researcher in an international partner country can even be the coordinator of a research consortium – but the minimum conditions must still be met.
[NOTE: in practice this is very rare since EU researchers have a stronger institutional and national support structure to help them in the preparation of proposals . Also the coordinator is responsible for the financial aspects of the whole project and this is easier in a EU/Associated country.]
For the European Research Council, the applicant must identify in the proposal the host institution in an EU/associated country in which he/she will establish their research group.
For Marie Sklodowska Curie Grants, pre- and post-Doctoral and other positions are published (on Euraxess Jobs Portal) and are open to applicants from anywhere I the world.

13. Rules of participation
Minimum Conditions:
For standard (cooperative) research projects:
3 participants from different Member States or associated countries
In addition, participants from any other country in the world can also be included
For actions aimed at individuals, like European Research Council or Marie Skłodowska-Curie:
1 researcher
1 host institution
1 project
For standard collaborative actions, at least three legal entities, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country; Once these 3 entities are determined, a participant from anywhere in the world can be included in the consortium.
A researcher in an international partner country can even be the coordinator of a research consortium – but the minimum conditions must still be met.
[NOTE: in practice this is very rare since EU researchers have a stronger institutional and national support structure to help them in the preparation of proposals . Also the coordinator is responsible for the financial aspects of the whole project and this is easier in a EU/Associated country especially if the international partner is not eligible for funding]
 There can be additional conditions for participation that will be set out in the relevant work programme
For the European Research Council, the applicant (who can be from anywhere in the world) must identify in the proposal the host institution in an EU/associated country in which she/he will establish their research group.
For Marie Sklodowska Curie Grants, pre-Doctoral positions in Europe are published (on MCSA website and on Euraxess Jobs Portal) and are open to applicants from anywhere in the world. Post doc and other opportunities in Europe available through open call for proposals (current call closes in September). Note that there is also a possibility for a European to apply to go to an international partner country for up to 2 years (with a compulsory return phase).

14. Eligibility for funding
Eligible for automatic funding*
Provided for in the work programme
Provided for by bilateral agreement
Exceptionally, project by project, decided by the European Commission
No EU Funding
Legal entities established in Member States or associated countries are always automatically eligible for funding.
This includes entities from third countries established in a Member State or associated country under Union Law.
Likewise, legal entities in low or medium per-capita income or low GDP countries (effectively Developing countries) are eligible for funding. [Annex A of the Work Programme gives list].
For other countries, funding is possible if
– the country is identified as eligible for funding in the work programme and in the text of the call or
– the participation is deemed by the Commission to be essential in the action
– when it is provided for under a bilateral scientific and technological agreement
*Legal entities established in
Member States
Associated Countries
Developing economies (Annex A)
European Interest Organisations

15. Options for taking part
Taking part in Project
Participant (signs Grant Agreement)
With or without funding
Third Party (does not sign Grant Agreement)
Without (direct) funding

16. "Third Party" Option
Does not sign Grant Agreement but a private Agreement with one or more of the full participants (pre-existing relation)
The participant for which the third party carries out work must ensure that it is possible to exercise its IPR rights (e.g. Access)
The work to be carried out by the third party shall be identified in the grant agreement
Eligibility for funding? Similar conditions as if signing the Grant Agreement*
* See Slide 14

17. How does it work?
Find a relevant call
Find partner(s)
Submit a proposal
Get involved!
If you are an individual researcher interested in a mobility opportunity: Apply for a Marie Sklodowska Curie or a European Research Council Grant.
If you are interested in collaborative research with European partners, there are two possibilities:
- Passively wait to be invited to join a consortium
- Actively contact your European colleagues to discuss with them the possibility of preparing a proposal together. The Participant Portal has a service that will help you to find possible partners.
Once the proposal is submitted, it will be evaluated by independentt experts considering three standard award criteria, which are:
Excellence; Impact; Quality and efficiency of the action
If the proposal is selected, a grant agreement will be drawn up. The time to grant will be a maximum of 8 months. This will consist of:
5 months for informing all applicants about the scientific evaluation,
3 months for the signature of the grant agreement

18. Where to find more information and where to apply?
Horizon 2020 Participant Portal Research and Innovation European Commission desktop/en/home.html
Horizon European Commission
Incontact (NCP's network)
All relevant information on Horizon 2020 can be found online. The Participant Portal contains all the necessary documents and online manuals to help you understand Horizon 2020 and how to apply.
You can always direct your questions to the National Contact Points, our NCP Network present around the world.

19. Find out more: www.ec.europa.eu/horizon2020
Open to the world!
Thank You!
Find out more:

20. Automatically eligible non-EU applicants (ANNEX A):
Applicants based in any of the countries listed here are automatically eligible for funding under the Horizon 2020 budget: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia Fiji Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana Haiti, Honduras Indonesia, Iran, Iraq Jamaica, Jordan Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic Republic), Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic Lao, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya Macedonia FYR, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar/Burma Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines Rwanda Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam Yemen Zambia, Zimbabwe