Collaborative Projects

Horizon Europe Pillar II supports collaboration between companies, universities, and other institutions (legal entities) that come together in project proposals addressing grand global challenges, helping to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

The funding opportunities under Pillar II are often complex challenges that require complementary expertise to create the required research and innovation to give rise to the expected solutions.

As described by the European Commission, Horizon Europe funds different types of Collaborative Projects including, for example:

• Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) that establish new knowledge or explore a new or improved technology, product, process, service, or solution. The EU funding covers up to 100% of the project costs.
• Innovation Actions (IA) that produce plans or designs for new or improved products, processes, or services including prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting, large-scale product validation and market replication. The EU funding covers up to 70% of the project costs (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of up to 100% applies).
• Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) that improve cooperation among EU and associated countries to strengthen the European Research Area including, for example, standardisation, dissemination, awareness-rising, communication and networking activities, policy dialogues, mutual learning or studies. The EU funding covers up to 100% of the project costs.

The Collaborative Projects are by far the largest programme area within Horizon Europe, with a total budget of more than €50 billion in 2021-2027.

Research Opportunities

Collaborative Projects allow universities and research centres groups to develop their new solutions/technologies from proof of concept up to demonstration in relevant environments. Hence, these funding opportunities empower universities and research centres groups to accelerate their research projects and comprehensively assess the impacts while tackling global challenges.

Commercial Opportunities

Collaborative Projects allow companies to develop their new solutions/technologies and services together with other European partners. In addition, they allow companies to connect with leading knowledge networks in their industries, boosting economic growth and industrial competitiveness.

Requirements

Typically, Collaborative Projects require participation from at least three partners from different EU or associated countries. Support for Collaborative Projects is offered within predefined themes that are published by the EU Commission on a running basis. An exact match with a theme is a prerequisite for obtaining funding.

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