(Finance) – The European Commission adopted the main Horizon Europe work programme (in Italian Horizon Europe) for the two-year period 2023-24equipped with approx 13.5 billion euros to support researchers and innovators in Europe in finding innovative solutions to environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical challenges. This funding is part of the broader research and innovation program Horizon Europe to 2027, worth 95.5 billion euros.
“These 13.5 billion euros of funding for research and innovation are an investment in the future of Europe that will help us deliver the Green Deal, advance Europe’s digital transformation and make Europe more resilient and competitive,” he commented Margrethe VestagerExecutive Vice President of the EU Commission.
Climate and digital transformation
€5.67 billion (over 42% of the work programme’s budget) is earmarked for the main objectives of theclimate action, looking for innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change. The amount allocated to support the biodiversity is equal to 1.67 billion euros.
More than 4.5 billion euros will go to digital transition of the EU, including for the development of key digital technologies and to encourage their integration into citizens’ daily lives.
Energy security
Nearly €970 million will be invested to help speed up the clean energy transitionin line with the REPowerEU plan, and increase Europe’s energy independence from unreliable suppliers and fossil fuel market volatility.
In 2023, the work program will address investments of over €1 billion from NextGenerationEU towards Europe’s recovery from the economic and social damage caused by the pandemic. It will also support research and innovation with €336 million to improve preparedness for pandemics and to respond to health emergencies.
Support for Ukraine
Targeted support to Ukraine is added to the €70 million of specific measures already launched in 2022. New actions include strengthening access for Ukrainian researchers to European research infrastructures and continued support to Ukrainian scientists in the health sector.