Horizon Europe is an EU research and innovation programme. It has a budget of €95.5 billion and runs until 2027.
If you’re a UK-based researcher or innovator, you can apply to most Horizon Europe funding opportunities on the same terms as EU-based applicants.
The UK’s association to Horizon Europe
In January 2021, the government announced that the UK will associate to Horizon Europe.
The EU is still in the process of formalising the UK’s association, but UK-based applicants can begin applying straight away. You do not need to wait for the EU to formalise association.
Find out more in the European Commission Q&A on the UK’s participation in Horizon Europe.
Funding support available during the delay to association
If the delay to the UK’s association continues, the UK government has confirmed successful Horizon Europe applicants will receive funding from UKRI regardless of the outcome of the UK’s efforts to associate with Horizon Europe.
This applies to all Horizon Europe competitions with a final deadline date on or before 31 March 2023, where the delay to UK association to the programme may prevent them from signing grant agreements.
We have developed a process to enable successful applicants to access their funding under the guarantee.
If you have been successful, you can find full details on which funding calls are included and step-by-step instructions on how to access your guaranteed funding.
During the delay to association, you should continue to apply as an associated country and request funding from the EU. You will have to request funding from the EU to be eligible to claim guarantee funding.
Funding for successful in-flight applications
If the UK does not associate to Horizon Europe, UK applications submitted to funding opportunities that have closed will be assessed by UKRI, should the European Commission no longer carry out the evaluation to ensure the best get funded. During the delay to association, you should continue to apply as an associated country to be eligible for this funding.
Funding for Third Country Participation
If the UK does not associate to Horizon Europe, funding will be available for UK applicants to participate in funding opportunities as ‘third country’ applicants. This will come into effect at the point the UK is unable to associate. Further information on how to apply will be provided if the UK is unable to associate.
Additional UKRI support for research and innovation during Horizon Europe delay
UKRI will deliver £280 million in new funding to help address the impacts of the ongoing delay in UK association to the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.
It comprises:
- £150 million investment in UK research and innovation infrastructure
- £30 million Talent Research and Stabilisation Fund, to help universities and research organisations retain talent and target funding vulnerabilities at a local level
- £100 million additional quality-related research funding for universities and research organisations to target other priorities as necessary
It is part of an overall £484 million announced on 21 November 2022 by the UK government to be delivered by UKRI and other partners.
It builds on the support that UKRI is already delivering through the Horizon Europe Guarantee Fund.
Find out more: support for research and innovation during Horizon Europe delay.
If the UK is unable to associate
If the UK is unable to associate to Horizon Europe, the government will introduce a programme of international science, research and innovation collaborations, including immediate measures to stabilise the sector.
For more information, see:
- the government policy paper, ‘Supporting UK R&D and Collaborative Research Beyond European Programmes’ (GOV.UK)
- our blog post from Professor Christopher Smith, ‘UKRI’s International Champion welcomes government publication’.
For queries about the transition measures and longer term arrangements, contact horizoneuropealternatives@ukri.org.
Funding available
In summary, Horizon Europe funding is available for:
- excellent research in any field
- researcher mobility
- research infrastructure
- global challenges and industrial competitiveness:
- 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
- innovation
- the development of the European research and innovation systems.
Horizon Europe delivers funding opportunities through dedicated work programmes. Find out more about the work programmes under Horizon Europe (European Commission).
Find out how to apply for Horizon Europe funding.
Guidance and help
As a UK applicant, help is available so you can make the most of Horizon Europe.
Find out how to get guidance and help.
More about Horizon Europe
See the official web pages for Horizon Europe (European Commission).