The EU's largest research and innovation program enters its final 12 months: still opportunities to be exploited for companies old and new with an eye to the future.
With 80 billion euros of funds made available for the period 2014-2020 (not to mention the private investments that these same funds attract), Horizon 2020 it is the EU's largest research and innovation programme.
Horizon 2020 is focused on transforming new ideas and knowledge into effective products with a high rate of innovation. Innovation is not an end in itself, but has the aim of actually improving people's lives.
The three "pillars" of Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 is based on 3 pillars (Pillars) for as many themes:
1) Excellence Science. The objective is to improve and increase research in the European Union.
2) Industrial Leadership. The objective is to develop the innovations that will then constitute the core business of future leading companies in Europe.
3) Societal Challenges (Social challenges). The objective is to have a concrete impact on real problems of European citizens.
More funds for SMEs and startups
The last tranche of Horizon 2020 (from 2018 to 2020) offers the possibility of obtaining important funding.
Countries can still participate in the EIC acceleration pilot whose next deadlines are: 18 March, 19 May and 7 October 2020. There is the possibility of requesting an equity investment of a maximum amount of up to 15 million euros, in addition to the 2,5 million non-repayable contribution.
For more information here is the official website.
The database of all projects funded with the Horizon 2020 program and with previous research programs, divided by thematic areas, program and country, can be consulted on the dedicated Cordis (Community Research and Development Information Service) page, at the following link:
https://cordis.europa.eu/projects/home_en.html
