FUNDING

The 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme – EU funding to support research careers and competitiveness

Ednah Carrick 19 seconds ago

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Closing Date: Varying

The 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme – EU funding to support research careers and competitiveness

Overview

Horizon Europe 2025: €7.3 billion in EU funding to support research careers and competitiveness

The newly adopted Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2025 allocates €7.3 billion EU funding to support research and innovation that delivers on the EU’s ambitions to build a more competitive, fair and resilient Europe. A substantial part of this funding will be dedicated to actions that support Europe’s green and digital transition, climate action and biodiversity preservation.

Reflecting the European Commission‘s priority to simplify EU procedures, the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme introduces several important measures for applicants: open and less prescriptive topics; shorter topic descriptions; and increased use of lump sums, i.e. less focus on financial aspects and more on scientific-technical content of the projects.

Almost half of the available indicative budget for 2025 will be managed by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) under the following Horizon Europe’s programmes:

Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Budget: €275.10 million | Apply now for six calls for proposals with 32 topics

Horizon Europe is looking for R&I projects on countering disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference; addressing challenges related to migration, climate change, mental health, increased autonomy of people with disabilities, preserving cultural heritage, and more.

Civil security for society

Budget: €156 million | Five calls for proposals with 19 topics will be launched on 12 June 2025

The newly available funding will support projects on better protecting EU citizens against crime and terrorism, managing EU external borders effectively, improving preparedness and disaster risk awareness, as well as developing common security solutions and innovative go-to-market strategies.

Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

Budget: €948.9 million | Apply now for 5 calls for proposals with 82 topics

Horizon Europe is looking for projects that work on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation, a sustainable use of natural resources, polar observations, sustainable agriculture, food waste prevention, the health of our oceans, clean and healthy soils, and more.

Funding opportunities on EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”

Budget: €121 million | Apply now for two calls for proposals with 13 topics

New funding is available for research on the impact of farming practices on soil health, citizen involvement in land management, soil salinity, and the development of soil-health data interfaces. Additionally, the EU will support living labs to improve soil health.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Under the MSCA, the European Commission funds R&I projects to boost researchers’ careers through doctoral and postdoctoral programmes and collaborative R&I projects. The Commission is announcing €1.25 billion in funding to support cutting-edge research, along with a new ‘Choose Europe for Science’ pilot.

The newly available funding is divided into six calls:

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships – supporting experienced researchers to acquire new skills, develop their careers and gain international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral experience by working abroad. Now open for applications (by 10 September 2025)
MSCA Doctoral Networks – supporting the recruitment and training of doctoral candidates in academia and other sectors, including industry, businesses, and public administrations.
MSCA COFUND – allowing research organisations to create new or strengthen existing doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, with the goal of recruiting researchers and attracting international talent. Now open for applications (by 24 June 2025)
MSCA Staff Exchanges – promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among academic and industrial organisations across borders through research projects. Now open for applications (by 8 October 2025)
MSCA4Ukraine – allows organisations to host displaced Ukrainian researchers for a period between six months and two years, with most fellows awarded two-year fellowships.
MCSA & Citizens – brings science closer to the public with the European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools activities.

Widening participation and spreading excellence

Budget €128 million I Apply now for three calls for proposals

The EU will fund projects that support research institutions from Widening countries in joining already ongoing R&I actions (Hop-on facility), as well as cooperation in alliances of higher education institutions (European Excellence Initiative). Individual fellowships will also be provided to researchers of any nationality willing to come to the EU or relocate to a Widening country.

Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system

Budget: €44 million | Apply now for a call for proposals with 7 topics

Horizon Europe is looking for projects that strengthen access to excellence, advance reforms in research assessment, improve support for researchers’ careers, and provide clearer guidance on Open Access publishing – contributing to a more inclusive and effective European Research Area.

Research Infrastructures

Budget €400.5 million | Apply now for a call for proposals with 18 topics

The EU will invest in projects that strengthen the capacities of research infrastructures, improve access to high-quality and secure services for researchers addressing major scientific and societal challenges, and develop tools, methods, and advanced digital solutions to allow researchers conduct groundbreaking research in the EU.

Horizon Europe at a glance

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation designed to boost scientific excellence, drive innovation, and strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness. It addresses major global challenges such as climate change, public health, security threats and the digital transformation. By promoting collaboration across borders, Horizon Europe drives job creation, boosts economic growth, and empowers the EU’s diverse talent pool.

Between 2021 and 2027, the European Research Executive Agency is responsible for managing 23% of Horizon Europe, helping to turn innovative research ideas into concrete solutions.