Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe represents the European Union's framework program for research and innovation funding for the period 2021-2027. As the successor to Horizon 2020, it aims to strengthen Europe's scientific and technological competitiveness by supporting innovative projects, embracing a dual ecological and digital transition. With a budget of €95.5 billion, Horizon Europe is structured around several strategic pillars and missions that aim to address major contemporary societal challenges.

Areas of Expertise and Key Achievements

Horizon Europe is distinguished by its organization around three main pillars: scientific excellence, global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, and innovative Europe. The program funds research projects in various fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data technologies, health, energy, and quantum technologies. For example, it supports initiatives aimed at developing high-performance computing infrastructures and secure cloud solutions, essential for innovation in artificial intelligence and data processing.

Recent Contributions and Notable Projects

Horizon Europe has recently supported several significant projects. The DVPS project, launched under the coordination of the company Translated, is a notable example. This project explores multimodal learning for artificial intelligence, facilitating direct interaction with the physical world, and is supported by €29 million in funding. Another project, DREAMS, coordinated by I-Stem and Kantify, aims to accelerate the discovery of treatments for rare muscular diseases through artificial intelligence and stem cells, with €8 million in funding. These projects illustrate Horizon Europe's commitment to supporting cutting-edge innovations with a significant impact on society.

Position in the Technological Ecosystem

Horizon Europe plays a central role in the European technological ecosystem. By promoting collaboration among public, private, and academic actors, it stimulates innovation and technological development in Europe. The program also supports initiatives such as the European Innovation Council (EIC), which encourages SMEs and startups to develop deep tech innovations. Moreover, Horizon Europe contributes to strengthening European technological sovereignty by funding projects in strategic sectors like cloud, AI, and quantum technologies, aligned with the priorities of the European Green Deal and the digital transition.

Recent Developments and News

Recently, Horizon Europe allocated over €290 million to boost research and innovation in data technologies, computing, and artificial intelligence. The program has also launched new calls for projects to encourage international collaboration, notably through innovation partnerships with countries like Finland and Germany. Furthermore, Horizon Europe is involved in major European initiatives such as the AI Factories network, which aims to strengthen European leadership in trustworthy artificial intelligence. These initiatives demonstrate Horizon Europe's ongoing commitment to supporting innovative projects that address contemporary and future challenges.

In conclusion, Horizon Europe positions itself as an essential pillar of Europe's technological development, supporting projects that aim to solve major societal issues while enhancing Europe's industrial and scientific competitiveness on the global stage.