European partnerships

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European partnerships are cooperation mechanisms between the European Commission, EU countries and regions, the private sector and other stakeholders. The aim is to overcome global challenges and advance the further development of European industry through closely coordinated research and innovation efforts.
 
So far have been 49 partnerships approved under Horizon Europe's first strategic plan (starting from 2022), and a further nine partnerships were selected under the second strategic plan (starting from 2024). 
 
There are three types of European partnerships:

  1. Co-financed partnerships : Research funders, public bodies and interest groups develop common research agendas and implement them with joint calls for proposals and additional activities.
  2. Co-programmed partnerships are based on a joint declaration of intent by the EU Commission, nation states and/or other stakeholders. You develop research and innovation programs and define calls for proposals within Horizon Europe.
  3. Institutionalized partnerships are long-term and highly integrated initiatives between the European Union, EU Member States and/or industry to achieve ambitious policy goals. A special type of institutionalized partnerships are Knowledge & Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Technology (EIT). They aim to address skills gaps and have as partners higher education institutions, research organizations, businesses and other stakeholders.

The essential in brief

Target group
Large companiesResearch facilitiesSingle researchersSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)Start UpUniversitiesUniversities of applied sciences
Sponsor
Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure

FFG Services

The services provided by the FFG are structured according to the type of European partnership.

Co-programmed partnerships are launched through the work programmes (with the exception of the Space partnership) and are supported by the FFG within the framework of Horizon Europe Cluster calls. We provide information and advisory services on proposal preparation and submission, as well as legal and financial matters.

If you are interested in co-funded partnerships, we inform you about relevant calls and connect you with the corresponding managing entities. We also offer guidance on legal and financial issues.

For institutional partnerships that are implemented in conjunction with a national programme, we are pleased to provide information and facilitate contact with the relevant managing body.

The Portfolio of European Partnerships

A graphical overview of the Portfolio of European partnerships, grouped by Horizon Europe clusters, is available here. The portfolio includes 49 candidates from the first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan (2021–2024) and nine partnerships for the second Strategic Plan (2025–2027, indicated with dashed borders). Detailed information on each partnership can be accessed in the ERA-LEARN Partnership Network Database visible. 

Information on the individual European Partnerships

Further information on individual partnership initiatives is organised according to the following Horizon Europe clusters:

  • Cluster 1: Health
  • Cluster 4: Digitalisation, Industry & Space
  • Cluster 5: Climate, Energy & Mobility
  • Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment

Cross-cutting Partnerships

In addition to the Horizon Europe Partnerships, there are also previously launched but still ongoing initiatives that have similar mechanisms to European partnerships. These include, among others, the Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI). 
The FFG is conducting national calls for proposals as part of the MissionERA program for the following ongoing joint programming initiatives and is happy to provide advice on submission:

Highlights

Driving Urban Transitions - DUT

Transnational innovation program for sustainable cities.

CETPartnership

The CETPartnership fosters transnational innovation for the clean energy transition.

Partnership on Innovative SMEs

Promotion of transnational innovations and market access for SMEs

Contact

Marie TRAUNFELLNER

+43 577 55-4705 E-Mail

About the FFG

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for industry-related research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby becoming more competitive in the global market.
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