Driving Europe’s Innovation Ambition
The European Commission (EC) has officially launched the Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme, a major milestone in the EU’s €95.5 billion flagship research and innovation initiative. Covering a critical year within the 2025–2027 strategic cycle, this Work Programme defines Europe’s science and innovation priorities, setting a clear path towards tackling global challenges, accelerating the green and digital transitions, and securing Europe’s position as a global leader in innovation.
This new Work Programme builds directly upon the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which set three overarching strategic orientations: a green transition, a digital transition, and a more resilient, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe.
Strategic Priorities for 2025
The 2025 Work Programme supports three interconnected priorities:
1. Green Transition:
o Accelerating progress towards climate neutrality and sustainability.
o Protecting biodiversity and promoting circular economy practices.
2. Digital Transition:
o Strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and advancing artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and next-generation computing.
3. Resilient and Inclusive Society:
o Building economic competitiveness, safeguarding democratic institutions, and promoting inclusivity and social resilience.
This programme focuses on open strategic autonomy and aims to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial leadership, while ensuring that the transitions are socially fair and inclusive.
Funding Overview
In 2025, over €7.2 billion will be invested across Horizon Europe’s pillars and thematic clusters. The funding distribution reflects the EU’s commitment to scientific excellence, global competitiveness, and societal impact.
The programme is structured around Horizon Europe’s three pillars:
• Pillar I: Excellent Science
o Supports frontier research via the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) for researcher mobility and training.
o Strengthens world-class research infrastructures critical for advanced science.
• Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
o Funds research under six thematic clusters:
- Health
- Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society
- Civil Security for Society
- Digital, Industry, and Space
- Climate, Energy, and Mobility
- Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment
- Encourages cross-sector collaboration to tackle complex societal challenges.
• Pillar III: Innovative Europe
o Advances innovation ecosystems, notably through the European Innovation Council (EIC), supporting breakthrough technologies and high-potential companies.
o Strengthens the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and regional innovation hubs.
Beyond the three pillars, the programme also includes actions to widen participation and strengthen the European Research Area (ERA), ensuring all member states benefit from scientific progress and innovation.
Green and Climate Focus
In line with the European Green Deal, the 2025 Work Programme reinforces Europe’s leadership in environmental innovation:
• 35% of Horizon Europe’s total budget is earmarked for climate-related activities.
• A new and notable commitment is that at least 10% of the Horizon Europe budget will now be dedicated specifically to biodiversity-related research.
Topics will address renewable energy systems, zero-emission mobility, climate adaptation, sustainable food systems, and restoration of ecosystems, helping Europe meet its 2030 climate and biodiversity targets.
European Innovation Council 2025 Actions
The European Innovation Council (EIC) plays a pivotal role in the 2025 Work Programme, with over €1.4 billion in funding to accelerate deep tech innovation.
The EIC’s three major funding instruments are:
• EIC Pathfinder: Supports early-stage, high-risk research into revolutionary technologies.
• EIC Transition: Bridges the gap between research and market by funding proof-of-concept and prototype development.
• EIC Accelerator: Provides grants and blended finance (grants plus equity investment) to scale up start-ups and SMEs, especially in strategic areas such as health, digital, and clean tech.
The EIC continues to position Europe at the forefront of deep tech entrepreneurship, driving the next generation of global technology champions.
Widening Participation and Strengthening the ERA
The 2025 programme places strong emphasis on inclusivity and geographic balance across Europe. Actions under the Widening Participation and Strengthening the ERA section aim to:
• Boost the research and innovation capacity of less-performing countries (often referred to as “Widening countries”).
• Promote brain circulation and reduce the R&D divide across regions.
• Strengthen gender equality, open science practices, and citizen engagement in research activities.
By creating more equitable opportunities for participation, the EU ensures that excellence is fostered across all regions, not just in traditional innovation hubs.
International Collaboration
Recognising that global challenges require global solutions; the 2025 Work Programme maintains a strong emphasis on international cooperation.
Key initiatives include:
• Targeted collaboration with strategic partner countries and regions, notably Africa, the Western Balkans, and Latin America.
• Specific calls for cooperation in areas like global health, climate action, and resilient food systems.
The EU continues to position Horizon Europe as an open platform for global scientific collaboration, while safeguarding Europe’s strategic interests and ethical standards.
Stakeholder Consultation and Co-Design Approach
In shaping the 2025 Work Programme, the EC engaged extensively with stakeholders through a consultation process between April and May 2024. Researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives contributed feedback, ensuring that the programme reflects the needs, expectations, and expertise of Europe’s innovation community.
This co-design approach ensures greater relevance, transparency, and impact across funded projects.
For more information about the Horizon Europe work programmes, click here.
