Horizon Budget Boost
European Union Expands Horizon Research Programme Budget With Additional €500 Million
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The European Commission has added €500 million to Horizon Europe’s 2026–2027 work programme, bringing its budget for the period to about €14.8 billion. The expanded programme includes research into AI-driven platforms for a more affordable, secure and sustainable energy system, as well as the environmental and biodiversity effects of clean and digital industries. Two new calls account for nearly all the additional funding: €237 million for research supporting a nature-positive economy and society, and €260 million for projects connecting research with investment and preparing for the EU’s next research programme; the latter includes a multilingual public-interest media platform. The Commission says the funding will help make Europe attractive to researchers and innovators, while Australia is also joining Horizon Europe.
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The €237 million Nature-Positive Economy and Society call will fund 11 research and innovation actions and contribute to the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan’s target of spending 10% of its budget on biodiversity. Its priorities also connect to initiatives including the Nature Restoration Regulation and the European Water Resilience Strategy.
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Two Commission monitoring reports published alongside the funding announcement found that Horizon Europe had invested €61 billion in grants and €1.3 billion in equity across nearly 23,000 projects since the programme began in 2021.
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The Commission’s effort to attract research talent comes amid attempts to draw academics from the United States, where some researchers are disaffected with President Donald Trump’s administration. Reuters previously spoke with European institutions reporting more U.S.-based employees considering a move to Europe, as well as U.S.-based academics weighing the move.
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The amended programme also supports the New European Bauhaus Academy, including upskilling and reskilling for construction workers.
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