Project Support Office

The clusters of Pillar II of Horizon Europe – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness represent collaborative projects addressing major problems and challenges in the areas of health, culture, civil society, digitalisation, climate and the environment, and others.
They aim to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the European Green Deal, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as strategies and policies in the fields of industry and digitalisation, biodiversity protection, and agriculture. Addressing complex challenges will require the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders, including end users and civil society.

A new chapter within the Horizon Europe programmes is represented by the so-called Missions – projects that aim, through innovative approaches and with the involvement of civil society, to address some of the key global challenges, such as the fight against cancer, the restoration of oceans, or initiatives focused on climate-neutral cities.

CLUSTERS

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-1-health_en

Cluster 1 - Health focuses on improving the health and quality of life of EU citizens, strengthening healthcare systems, and supporting disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Its main objectives include protecting the health of the EU population, ensuring equal access to high-quality healthcare, fostering innovation in healthcare (e.g. the development of medicines and issues related to digitalisation), improving preparedness for health threats (such as pandemics), and promoting personalised medicine.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_en

Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society focuses on societal challenges related to democracy, cultural heritage, social cohesion, and societal transformation. Its main objectives include strengthening democracy and European identity, highlighting European cultural heritage and creativity, supporting social and economic inclusion, and improving understanding of—and the capacity to respond to—societal changes, migration issues, and digital transformation.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-3-civil-security-society_en

Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society aims primarily to strengthen the security of EU citizens against threats and to increase societal resilience through research and innovation. Key priorities include projects focused on enhancing preparedness for crisis situations, protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, and improving the effectiveness of cooperation between civil society and security authorities.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-4-digital-industry-and-space_en

Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space is designed to support digital transformation and European technological autonomy. Projects focus on enhancing the competitiveness of EU industry, developing cutting-edge technologies (such as AI, semiconductors, robotics, and advanced materials), supporting the green transformation of industry, and ensuring Europe’s autonomous access to space, as well as the development of space technologies and data services.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-5-climate-energy-and-mobility_en

Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility focuses on tackling climate change, the transition to clean energy, and sustainable mobility, with the aim of contributing to the EU’s climate neutrality by 2050. Projects under Cluster 5 are directed towards understanding and adapting to climate change, supporting clean energy and energy efficiency, developing sustainable and safe transport systems, and creating systemic solutions that integrate climate, energy, and mobility.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-6-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_en

Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment aims to contribute to the EU’s environmental objectives by supporting sustainable development and the sustainable management of natural resources, transforming food systems towards greater sustainability and health, ensuring biodiversity, strengthening the resilience of agriculture, forestry and water management, supporting rural areas, and preventing environmental risks.

HOW TO APPLY

SEARCH FOR A SUITABLE CALL

Calls are published mainly on the Funding & Tenders Portal, or in the tender documentation for specific areas (Work Programmes) – these relate to concrete research topics.
The search for a suitable call can be supported by the National Contact Point (NCP) – see contacts.

The type of call influences the expected outcomes and the level of funding:
- Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) – up to 100% of project costs; aimed at research and development of knowledge or new/innovative technologies, products, processes, or solutions.
- Innovation Actions (IA) – up to 70% of project costs; primarily focused on breakthrough research and the development of new products or processes, including prototyping, testing, and progressing towards practical and market applications.
- Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) – up to 100% of project costs; mainly aimed at deepening cooperation between the EU and associated countries.
- Programme Co-fund Action (COFUND) – 30–70% of project costs; provides co-funding for European partnerships that combine public and private sector efforts.

CONSORTIUM BUILDING

The rules for consortia are specified in the specific call.
As a general rule, at least three institutions from three EU or associated countries are required.
Partners can be identified through networking, national contact points, European research networks, conferences, and other events.
Universities, public and private companies, municipalities, and non-profit organizations can all be involved.
When forming a consortium, it is necessary to designate a coordinating institution and define the roles and responsibilities of each consortium member.

PROJECT PROPOSAL PREPARATION

A Proposal consists of:
- Technical part A, filled in online on the Funding & Tenders Portal, which mainly includes:
  - List of partners, project participants, and contact persons
  - Budget – consult with the National Contact Point (NCP) and, for personnel costs, with the HR department
  - Ethical self-assessment
- z vědecké části B, jenže se do přihlášky přidává přílohou a je zde zejména nutné adresovat tři hodnotící kritéria:
  - Excellence: popis state-of-the art a jak je projekt posune (ambice, inovace), cíle, soulad s výzvou
  - Impact: očekávaný dopad projektu na úroveň poznání, ale rovněž pro policy makery, průmysl či společnost, využití, šíření a komunikace výsledků, plán ochrany výsledků a duševního vlastnictví
  - Implementation: popis struktury řízení projektu, rozdělení úloh a pracovních balíčků (work packages), stanovení dílčích cílů a výstupů (deliverables, milestones), risk management

PROPOSAL EVALUATION

FUNDING

LINKS & DOWNLOADS

EU MISSIONS

A new feature of Pillar II of the Horizon Europe programme is also the so-called Missions: thematic areas centred on particularly significant societal challenges, with the potential to mobilise public opinion in support of science across Europe. Projects contributing to the Missions will be encouraged to cooperate, coordinate their efforts, and develop new synergies.

1. Conquering Cancer: Mission Possible
2. A Climate Resilient Europe - Prepare Europe for climate disruptions and accelerate the transformation to a climate resilient and just Europe by 2030
3. Mission Starfish 2030: Restore our Ocean and Waters
4. 100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030 - by and for the citizens
5. Caring for Soil is Caring for Life

RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONTACTS

Mgr. Kateřina Ježová, Ph.D.

phone:	+420 549 49 6662
e‑mail:

Bc. Tomáš Lády

phone:	+420 549 49 4187
e‑mail:

Loading map…