The 2026/2027 Work Programmes for Horizon Europe are now published

What is Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and innovation programme running from 2021 until 2027, providing over £80 billion in funding to address some of the greatest global challenges. It supports groundbreaking ideas across various fields, from curing diseases to safeguarding cultural heritage. Horizon Europe offers a unique chance for cross-border collaboration, expanding the UK’s research connections, access to funding, networks, and global talent.

What are the new 2026/2027 Work Programmes about?

Work Programmes are your ‘go-to’ and contain all you need to know about the funding calls within that area, as well as budgets, scope, guidance and key information such as eligibility, and rules for competitive calls. New for 2026-2027 are horizontal calls. They will address cross-cutting challenges across different research and innovation areas and encompass a wider reach. Most Calls open in January 2026 with a deadline of September 2026. Our UK National Contact Points can support you with these exciting potential funding opportunities and help you get the most out of Horizon Europe. Funding is structured under ‘Pillars’. Pillar 2 is called Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness and is the largest part of the Framework Programme. It is comprised of six thematic area Clusters and they are highlighted below as well as links to other Work Programmes available under Pillars 1 and 3.

General Introduction and General Annexes

Horizontal activities

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Research Infrastructures

Cluster 1: Health

Focusing on supporting healthcare resilience, leverage biotechnology and
AI and address key public health needs – including mental health, disease prevention, pollution and climate-related health impacts and the development of critical medicines and medical countermeasures. This cluster will also develop innovative interventions to prevent the harmful effects of digital technologies on the mental health of children and young adults.

Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Focusing on fostering a democratic culture of participation and inclusivity and promote the values of equality, freedom, respect for human dignity and human rights and respect for cultural pluralism.

Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society

Focusing on a safer and more secure Europe, a ‘Preparedness Union’ and stronger common borders, thereby protecting democracy and putting R&I at the heart of a resilient economy. This cluster will equip security practitioners, such as law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators, with modern tools consistent with EU values, while boosting European competitiveness and promoting innovation procurement.

Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space

Focusing on ensuring a substantial and coordinated contribution by R&I to the Clean Industrial Deal, promoting emerging enabling technologies, such as AI in science, and achieving open strategic autonomy4 in space-based infrastructure, services, applications and data.

Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility

Focusing on decarbonising our economy and society, promoting a more sustainable approach to production and consumption, and advancing our knowledge on climate science.

Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Focusing on food security to water and nature, and helping land and water-based sectors to transition towards climate neutrality by 2050, as required by the European Climate Law.

EU Missions

The Missions Work Programme for 2026 and 2027 has also been released. Missions are cross-cutting initiatives with ambitious goals linked to key climate challenges. Each mission is focused, ambitious, and designed to deliver impact by 2030. There are five Missions and they cover: Climate Adaptation, Cancer, Oceans and Waters, Soil Health, and Climate-Neutral Smart Cities.

European Innovation Council (EIC) 2026 Work Programme

European Research Council (ERC) 2026 Work Programme

New European Bauhaus (NEB)

European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)

Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA)

What’s next?

• Explore the programmes
• Connect with our experts
• Make the leap and join the largest collaborative network to change the future!

You now need to check if your research and innovation fits within the pillars for funding. For more information to help get you prepared and ready to apply for funding calls, understand what support is available from our UK National Contact Points, learn about forthcoming related events and webinars, and explore information videos to help guide you on your journey, visit the UK’s Official Horizon Europe Hub here.

EU Info Days

There are also several Information Days to choose from that will help support you with everything you need to know about your chosen thematic area, and also give you chance to ask all of those burning questions. You can find them here.