Horizon Europe (HE) is the latest European Union’s flagship Research and Innovation Programme and the 9th Framework Programme (FP9) of its kind. It has a total budget of approx €95.5bn for funding R&I projects in the period 2021-2027.

HE is divided into three pillars, addressing the priorities of the programme, and highlighting those of relevance for ISTA applicants:

* Missions under HE in the areas: Cancer – Adaptation to Climate change – Restore our Ocean and Waters – Climate-neutral and smart cities – A Soil Deal for Europe

The part Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (ERA) is a horizontal aspect in HE, aiming “to increase support to EU Member States in their efforts to make the most of their national research and innovation potential” (HE Programme Guide v 4.0).

The Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence Actions “contribute to build research and innovation capacity for countries lagging behind (…) strengthening their potential for successful participation in transnational research and innovation processes, promote networking and access to excellence.”

Cross-cutting aspects & commitment under HE

To address in your proposal, where applicable:

Ethics compliance – whether the project involves work with animals or humans; the use and processing of personal data, human tissues and cells; the use of materials and processes that may compromise the health, safety and security of individuals or the environment; the development/use of artificial intelligence; or provide results that may potentially be misused, an ethics self-assessment and, if available, relevant documentation must be provided at the proposal stage.

Check the document How to complete your ethics self-assessment for guidance as to which aspects to consider and address to make your proposal ethics compliant. Also consult our ethics officer for any related questions.

Sustainability – where applicable, the project methodology and implementation, as well as dissemination and communication measures compliant with the directives and recommendations of the European Green Deal, including the “Do No Significant Harm” principle.

Open Science – “HE moves beyond open access” by fostering the adoption of mandatory and/or recommended open science practices at the project proposal and implementation stages. Consult the HE Programme Guide and/or the respective Work Programmes/Guide for Applicants for examples of OS practices and scheme-specific instructions.

Gender Dimension, Gender Equality and Inclusiveness – the gender- or sex-related aspects of your scientific project (objectives, methodology, output..) should be addressed in the proposal. Gender Equality (GE) and Inclusiveness are pivotal aspects in HE, included as eligibility criterion at the institutional level, and as evaluation criteria for a number of HE funding schemes.

• Eligibility criterion: A Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is a requisite for eligible institutions under HE
• Evaluation criteria: Gender Balance and Equality should be observed in recruitment procedures, composition of teams and decision-making bodies (i.e, project governance) in the proposal

Specific to MSCA:

MSCA Green Charter – code of good practice in line with the goals of the European Green Deal

Guide for supervision – a set of recommendations for applicants and institutions

Of interest for ISTA Applicants

The ISTA Gender Equality Plan

The document summarizes the goals and measures to strengthen Gender Equity and Inclusion at ISTA for the period 2022-2026, and formalizes the long-standing commitment of the institution to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), core values deemed essential .

Though not exclusively, the ISTA GEP addresses the five thematic areas for gender equality in R&I*, as recommended by the European Commission and for Horizon Europe, and complies with their requirements for GEPs. Conceived as a living document, the ISTA GEP will revised on an annual basis and adapted to currrent needs and priorities.

* “(1) work-life balance and organisatorial culture; (2) gender balance in leadership and decision-making; (3) gender equality in recruitment and career progression; (4) integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content; (5) measures against gender-based violence, including sexual harrasment” [source: Horizon Europe Guidance on Gender Equality Plans]

Relevant documentation

The HE Programme Guide – guidance on the structure, budget, political priorities and relevant background for preparing proposals, including the list of third countries (TC) associated to HE

General Annexes – admissibility and eligibility conditions, criteria for financial and operational capacity; award criteria and evaluation procedure; legal and financial set-up of grant agreements; specific conditions

The Online Manual – outlines procedures to register and submit proposals online via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

The Annotated Grant Agreement (AGA) – containing detailed notes on all the provisions in the grant agreement to be signed in order to obtain the grant

The Work Programmes of the different actions (ERC, MSCA, Pillar 2 clusters, EIC, ..) – to be found here among other relevant documentation (e.g. guidelines for applicants, application forms and templates, etc..)

List of participating countries under HE