The Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

Framework Programme Seven’s (FP7s) successor, the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, will be one of the world’s leading sources of research funding when it begins on 1 January 2014. Horizon 2020’s total budget is expected to be more than 80 billion Euros (about US$ 109 billion), an increase of 46 percent from the 56 billion Euros (about US$ 76 billion) allocated to the FP7 in the period covering 2007 to 2013.

The Horizon 2020 Framework Programme ‘‘will make participation in EU funded research and innovation easier,’’ according to an EU spokesperson in Brussels, Belgium. Consultations on Horizon 2020 ‘‘underlined the importance of a strong involvement of international partner countries,’’ the spokesperson said. He recommended that African researchers establish a relationship with their national contact points in government, who can offer guidance in writing successful proposals and assist in linking them up with European researchers.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European commissioner for research, science and innovation, announced the new name for the next funding programme in June and said that:

Horizon 2020 will bring together different types of funding provided through the FP7 in a coherent and flexible manner. It is the name for the new, integrated funding system that will cover all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development. In future, research and innovation funding will focus more clearly on addressing global challenges. Needless red tape will be cut out and participation made simpler.

Horizon 2020 will only become fully operational in 2013. A new website includes the outcome of the consultation: Green Paper on a Common Strategic Framework for future EU Research and Innovation Funding, a summary analysis of over 750 written responses and around 1300 online questionnaires submitted by companies, research institutes, associations and citizens, as well as the individual responses.  The new initiative will be presented by the Commission by the end of 2011, for decisions of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.