European Commission spokesman Thomas Leisure details the expansion and expansion of the Horaisin subprogram in Europe, explaining how it can help expand opportunities for all.
Horizon Europe helps to increase competitiveness and growth within the European Union and tackle important social challenges. Following the decision of the multi-year financial framework Midterm Review (MTR), Horizon Europe’s directive funding for 2021-2027 is 93.5 billion euros.
Horizon Europe will enhance the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while fostering collaboration and tackling Global challenges.
The program consists of three pillars of excellent science. Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness. And innovative Europe. Along the pillar, the program also has a fourth lateral element. “Expanding participation and strengthening the field of European research” (Widera). Widera aims to ensure access to opportunities for all, and to advance the EU by reducing disparities between R&I reading and behind-the-scenes countries.
One of Widera’s two main areas is the expansion of participation and the Spreading Excellence subprogram. This contributes to building the research and innovation capacity of countries that are lagging behind in line with policy goals in the European field of research. Subprogram funding calls are categorized in many areas of intervention. In December 2024, it was announced that the European Commission had invested 315 million euros in 63 new projects under these three areas. All three fundraising opportunities and project activities launched in 2023 began in the end of 2024 and early 2025.
The Innovation Platform told European Commission spokesman Thomas Leisure that the Innovation Platform is about to learn more about some of the expansion of Horizon Europe and the possibilities it may bring.
Can you explain in detail the goals and objectives of Horizon Europe’s subprogram, “Participation and Extension Excellence” and explain why the program is important?
The purpose of the “Participation and Exceptional Expansion” programme is to strengthen joint links across Europe and open up European R&I networks. It will contribute to improving research management capabilities in expanding countries. Support national policy reform. Similarly, they leverage the possibilities of the union’s talent pool through targeted actions.
The expansion of policy represents a clear element of Horizon Europe, demonstrating it as a successful program. In fact, the expanding countries have significantly improved their participation in the EU R&I programmes. Overall success is around 20% versus the EU27 average of 22%, while Horizon Europe’s financial share of funding is 14.4%. Comparison of successful participation in the expanded section and overall performance of the framework program shows correlation. Other parts of the framework programme also work well with countries that make good use of the possibilities offered by the expanded portion.
The programme is important as it aims to reduce innovation gaps between EU countries. It encourages participation and encourages more researchers, institutions and businesses to engage in collaborative projects from growing countries. It supports the development of institutional capabilities and infrastructure in countries that are lagging behind. and encourages partnerships between universities, research institutes and industries, promoting knowledge transfer and best practices. However, it should be emphasized that true sustainable change depends heavily on investment and reform at the national level. Therefore, national investment levels and reforms are important factors in determining the performance of a country.
What funds will be allocated to support this subprogram?
At Horizon 2020, the program “Expanding Exceptional and Expansion of Participation” was adopted in a budget of approximately 1% (approximately 800 million euros) of the overall budget. Under Horizon Europe, the budget expansion has increased significantly to 3.3% of Horizon Europe’s overall budget (corresponding to around 2.9 billion euros).
The projects funded for the program’s Excellence Action began in November 2024 and January 2025. Describe this action in detail and highlight some of the types of projects you support.
The Excellence Call team is addressing the challenges of Europe’s R&I disparity by establishing new centres of excellence and modernizing existing centres in expanding countries. It aims to increase the strength of R&I and help achieve competitive positions in both European and global R&I landscapes. The expansion of the project as a Joint Support Action (CSA) plays an important role in fostering innovation and generating new knowledge. These initiatives have a significant social impact, leading to structural changes in the R&I system at the institutional, regional and national levels. Economically, to ensure the sustainability of the project, it will generate new competitive research funding opportunities through partnerships, generate revenue and promote collaboration with the business sector. So far, the program has established 50 Excellence Centres, including 13 in the latest calls.
Can you explain in detail what Excellence Hubs Action entails?
Excellence Hubs was first introduced as an initiative for the Widera Ports of the Wishra Ports of the Widera Ports for Excellence on the Horizon Europe Work Program 2021-22. It supports the development and collaboration of innovation ecosystems in the expansion of growing countries between research institutions, business, local governments and social actors.
The proposals will help you discover strategically important topics about either European policy priorities or regional smart specializations and collaborate along several core models, such as strategic research agendas, investment planning, and R&I projects. At least two full-scale innovation ecosystems are needed to be implemented. Although there is a national center of gravity, it is open to the participation of other partners, ambition is to raise initiatives in such regional areas at the European level.
Why is ERA chair action important?
ERA Chair Action focuses on bringing excellence to the institution. This action supports universities or research institutions in the growing country and recruits outstanding researchers and research managers.
Actions are important for a number of reasons. It strengthens research excellence as it aims to enhance the quality and impact of research by establishing chairs at institutions that may not yet achieve high levels of excellence. It promotes academia and industry collaboration, and promotes knowledge transfer and innovation. It attracts talent and thus helps to build a strong research community. Additionally, it supports the development of research infrastructure in low-performance regions. It also aligns with the ERA goals and promotes a more integrated and effective research environment in Europe.
This article will also be featured in the 21st edition of Quarterly Publication.
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