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Horizon Europe, the EU’s premier research and innovation programme, represents an exciting opportunity for organisations and researchers alike. As the successor to Horizon 2020, this ambitious programme is designed to advance European and global innovation between 2021 and 2027. Boasting a massive budget of €95.5 billion, Horizon Europe aims to tackle global challenges through collaboration, groundbreaking research, and technological advancements. With the recent agreement allowing UK participants to rejoin the programme as fully associated members, there’s never been a better time to explore the opportunities Horizon Europe offers.
In this article, we will provide an overview of Horizon Europe, the opportunities and main areas of funding available. Additionally, we will detail the role of financial audits and the importance of the Certificate of Financial Statements (CFS) to safeguard your funding.
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the EU’s largest research and innovation programme, continuing the work started by Horizon 2020. With a budget of €95.5 billion, Horizon Europe focuses on fostering cutting-edge research and innovation to support the development of EU policies and tackle global challenges. The programme is structured around three key pillars:
- Open Science – Promotes the sharing of knowledge and research through open access and collaboration.
- Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness – Supports research addressing societal challenges while boosting industrial competitiveness.
- Open Innovation – Encourages the commercialisation of innovative ideas and the development of new markets.
These pillars serve as a roadmap to achieve Horizon Europe’s goals of advancing research excellence and fostering innovation across the EU and beyond. The programme aims to create new technologies, improve existing ones, and facilitate the spread of knowledge, making it an integral part of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Opportunities for UK Participants: 2024 and Beyond
One of the most exciting developments for Horizon Europe is the UK’s return as a fully associated member from 1 January 2024. After years of uncertainty, this new agreement means that UK-based researchers and organisations can now participate on equal terms with EU members. This is fantastic news for UK researchers, opening up vast funding opportunities for the remainder of the programme until 2027.
Previously, UK participants were supported by a Guarantee Scheme provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for successful bids under Horizon Europe calls in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This support will continue for ongoing projects. However, for future bids, the UK’s association with Horizon Europe means direct access to European Commission funding, removing barriers and fostering international collaboration.
For organisations and researchers in the UK, this presents a prime opportunity to engage with large-scale projects addressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare, digital transformation, and energy sustainability. Whether you’re a non-profit institution, a university, or a private enterprise, now is the perfect time to explore calls for funding and submit proposals.
Funding Categories and Eligible Costs
Understanding how to secure funding under Horizon Europe is critical for successful participation. Projects are primarily funded through two types of actions:
- Research and Innovation Actions (RIA): Provides 100% funding for all participating organisations.
- Innovation Actions (IA): Offers 70% funding for for-profit organisations and 100% funding for non-profit organisations.
To ensure compliance and eligibility for funding, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the five main categories of eligible costs:
- Personnel costs: Wages and salaries of employees working directly on the project.
- Subcontracting costs: Services or tasks carried out by third parties under subcontract.
- Purchase costs: Travel expenses, equipment purchases, and goods necessary for project execution.
- Other costs: Financial support to third parties or internally invoiced goods and services.
- Indirect costs: A flat rate of 25% of all direct eligible costs.
Organisations must adhere to these categories to ensure their costs are reimbursable under Horizon Europe’s strict financial guidelines.
The Importance of the Certificate of Financial Statements (CFS)
One of the key aspects of participating in Horizon Europe is understanding the role of audits and financial reporting. Beneficiaries who request contributions exceeding €430,000 are required to submit a Certificate of Financial Statements (CFS) to the European Commission. This audit ensures that all claimed costs are in line with Horizon Europe’s financial rules and guidelines.
A CFS must be prepared by each participating organisation and cover all eligible costs, including the 25% flat rate for indirect costs. Beneficiaries have the option to submit multiple CFSs during the project’s lifetime, such as after each reporting period, or provide a single CFS at the project’s conclusion. Regardless of the approach, the final CFS is submitted with the last financial report.
Ensuring compliance with the CFS requirements is critical for receiving the full amount of funding, which is why working with experienced auditors and financial experts is highly recommended.
Horizon Europe Guarantee Awards
Requirements for audit are set according to the value of the award.
Next Steps: How We Can Help You
Understanding the intricacies of Horizon Europe’s funding rules can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing audits and financial compliance. This is where our team comes in. We specialise in assisting organisations with enquiries on funding and ensuring compliance with the programme’s financial rules.
Our services include helping you prepare and submit Certificates of Financial Statements, conducting thorough financial audits, and ensuring your project adheres to all financial guidelines, enabling you to focus on your research and innovation goals.
Conclusion: Seize the Opportunity
With the UK’s return to Horizon Europe, the opportunities for organisations and researchers are enormous. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge technologies, tackling global challenges, or fostering collaboration across borders, Horizon Europe may provide the solution to the funding and resources you need to make an impact.
Don’t miss your chance to benefit from this flagship EU programme. Start planning your proposal today, and let us help you navigate the financial and compliance aspects.
Get in touch with us via the contact form to explore how we can support your Horizon Europe project.
This article was designed to provide an overview of Horizon Europe, its funding opportunities, and the critical importance of financial compliance. For further details, explore the European Commission’s official page on funding opportunities and open calls or visit UKRI’s page for information on UK support.