Horizon 2020 workprogrammes 2014-2015 published

On December 11, 2013, the European Commission (EC) has published the workprogrammes 2014-2015 in the programme Horizon 2020 - EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Horizon 2020 is a EC programme for financing European research and innovation. Through Horizon 2020, the EC aims at increasing Europe's competitive position by strengthening scientific knowledge and by stimulating innovation. In addition, the EC wants to challenge business and academia to collaborate in creating solutions for pan-European societal challenges, such as climate change, ageing population, food safety & security and affordable renewable energy.

Horizon 2020 will start on 1 January 2014 and is the successor of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). The budget is € 80 billion for the 7 years duration of the programme. Organisations that are involved in research, technological development, and innovation on an international scale and individual researchers can participate in the programme.

Horizon 2020 is divided into three pillars:

Excellent Science. This part of H2020 supports the world-class science in Europe, by developing, attracting and retaining research talent and supporting the development of the best research infrastructures: 
• European Research Council (ERC); 
• Marie Sklodowska-Curie; 
• Future and Emerging Technologies (FET); 
• Research infrastructures.

Industrial Leadership. This pillar supports key technologies, such as microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, etc. across existing and emerging sectors. It also aims at attracting more private investment into R&I and supporting the increase of innovative SMEs in Europe:
• Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies:
• Introduction to LEITs,
• Information- and Communication Technologies,
• Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Biotechnology, Advanced manufacturing and Processing,
• Space;
• Innovation in SMEs;
• Access to Risk Finance.

Societal Challenges. The pillar supports R&I that target society and citizens (climate, environment, energy, transport, etc.). It supports the development of breakthrough solutions coming from multi-disciplinary collaborations, which include social sciences and humanities: 
• Health, demographic change and wellbeing; 
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy;
• Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy; 
• Smart, Green and Integrated Transport; 
• Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw materials;
• Inclusive, Innovative and Reflective societies;
• Secure Societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

These 3 pillars reflect European goals for job creation and growth (Europe 2020) under the flagship of Innovation Union.

H2020 also provides funding for the following partnerships (pending adoption of the respective legislative acts):

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) (with industry):
• Innovative Medicines Initiative 2
• Clean Sky (Aeronautics) 2
• Fuel Cell and Hydrogen 2
• Bio-based Industries
• Electronic components & systems (merger of the ARTEMIS embedded systems JTI and the ENIAC nanoelectronics JTI set up in 2008)

Joint programmes of Member States
• European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) 2
• European Metrology Research Programme 2
• Eurostars (for SMEs) 2
• Active & Assisted Living 2

These initiatives will have their own calls for proposals, some of which are published on the Participant Portal and some on their specific websites.