Early December for first H2020 calls

The European Commission has announced the date for the first calls for the next research and innovation framework programme.

The first calls under Horizon 2020 will be released on Wednesday 11 December 2013, though it is not yet known for what specific objectives under each pillar. Through various sources, the Commission has also released details of the Horizon 2020 work programmes, though no official statement has yet been made.

Details have also been announced that will see €212.2m frontloaded to Horizon 2020 during its first year. According to the European Parliament’s ‘Resolution of 23 October 2013 on the Council position on the draft 2014 general budget’, €106.1m of the frontload will go to the European Research Council, whilst €106.1m will go to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions).

However, the budget advancements are likely to result in lower annual funding for Horizon 2020 in the later years of the framework programme, possibly between 2016 and 2020 according to an ‘Amending letter on the annual 2014 budget’ presented by the Commission. Horizon 2020 is due to run between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2020.

The EU research budget represents around 12% of total public spending on research by the EU’s 28 member states and is mainly focused on health, the environment, transport, food and energy. Research partnerships with the pharmaceutical, aerospace, car and electronics industries have also been formed to encourage private sector investment in support of future growth and high skill job creation. Horizon 2020 will also focus on turning excellent ideas into marketable products, processes and services.