Step 1: Explore the wide range of programmes in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe forms the core of European research funding and, with a budget of around 95.5 billion euros, is the world's largest public funding programme for research and innovation. It has a programme duration of 7 years (2021-2027) and offers a wide range of funding opportunities from support for basic scientific research to application-oriented projects and market launch measures. Horizon Europe is divided into different programme parts with specific objectives and conditions.
- To get started, our short FFG video explains the various Horizon Europe programmes in 12 minutes (presentation, barrier-free version will follow soon).
- Would you like to find out more and dive deeper? Then we recommend this detailed presentation by the European Commission on Horizon Europe.
- Where can you find the Horizon Europe calls for proposals? All information can be found on the Funding & Tenders Portal of the European Commission. Submission and implementation of running projects also take place electronically via this portal!
Step 2: Find out about the basic rules for participation, the funding rates and how the projects are evaluated
- Participation requirements - Who can participate? Participation in EU projects is generally open to all types of organisations and, in some cases, to individual researchers from all over the world - but not all countries receive funding!
- Who is eligible for funding? There are precise rules in Horizon Europe as to which countries can receive funding. In principle, organisations are eligible for funding if they are based in an EU member state or in an (Horizon Europe) “Associated Country”. Organisations from non-associated third countries normally bear the costs themselves. However, there are exceptions here too. Interested in more details? See the FFG website for the eligiblity conditions and the European Commission's list of countries.
- Minimum conditions for participation - What is the minimum size of a consortium? The majority of calls for proposals in Horizon Europe are aimed at consortia consisting of several (usually at least 3) organisations. However, there are also some individual grants, e.g. in the European Research Council (ERC), in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and in the European Innovation Council (EIC). Interested in more details? See the FFG website for the minimum participation requirements.
- Are there calls for proposals? What types of projects or funding instruments are there? In Horizon Europe, project applications can only be submitted within the framework of calls for proposals - these are published in one-year or multi-year so-called “work programmes”, with all relevant content and formal requirements, the dates for opening and submission deadlines, budget information, etc. The respective funding instruments (“types of action”) are also specified in the calls for proposals. Interested in more details? See the FFG website for the funding instruments in Horizon Europe (in German) or the General Annexes of Horizon Europe (page 13).
- Which costs are eligible for funding? Costs incurred in EU projects can be divided into eligible costs, which are reimbursed via the project, and into non-eligible costs (e.g. currency exchange losses, bank charges, etc.). By default, there are the following budget categories for eligible costs: personnel costs, travel costs, equipment, consumables, etc. as well as a lump sum for indirect costs (“overheads”). Interested in more details? See the FFG website for eligible costs.
- Funding rates - What percentage of the costs are reimbursed? In most cases, the principle of “one project - one rate” applies, i.e. the funding rate is the same for all organisations and activities in a project. The funding rate is determined by the funding scheme/”type of action” - in many projects the funding rate is up to 100%. There are however exceptions, for example for industry-related funding schemes. Interested in more details? See the FFG website for funding rates.
- How are the projects selected? The submitted proposals are evaluated with the help of international, independent experts as part of a peer review process. Proposals are evaluated and scored against award criteria and the project applications with the highest scores are recommended for funding. It can take up to 8 months between the submission deadline and the start of the project. Interested in more details? See the link to the video in the next point.
- Interested in an overview of the project cycle of a Horizon Europe project (incl. evaluation) and how the calls are structured? Watch our short FFG video (11 min.) on the basic rules, structures calls/topics and the “life cycle” incl. evaluation of a Horizon Europe project with a focus on cooperative projects (presentation, barrierer free version will follow).
And now? Use the services of the FFG!
Individual consultation for in-depth programme information: Contact your Austrian National Contact Point. We are here for you!
In the FFG Academy you will find the dates for our training courses (e.g. on the subject of proposal writing, or a compact newcomer training course) as well as additional online information packages on further topics.
For basic advice, you can also get in touch with the contact persons at the research service of your university or non-university research institution, if available.