[CLSTR]
< Back to all clusters
[BUSINESS] · EU · 4 sources

started · updated

Part of situation: EU research and innovation funding developments (4 clusters)

European Commission boosts Horizon Europe research budget by €500m

Horizon Europe research funding European Commission innovation grants biodiversity

The European Commission has announced a €500m funding increase for the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, intended for implementation across 2026 and 2027. This boost brings the total budget for those two years to approximately €14.8bn.

The additional funds will support two new cross-cutting research calls. The ‘Bridging Actions 2027’ initiative, valued at €260m, will focus on next-generation AI digital platforms to develop more sustainable European energy systems. The ‘Nature-Positive Economy and Society’ call, worth €237m, aims to support biodiversity objectives and the EU’s strategic spending targets.

This financial injection follows reports highlighting significant budgetary constraints within the flagship programme. Data from the European Commission indicates that Horizon Europe is currently unable to fund 75 per cent of high-quality grant proposals. Since its inception in 2021, the programme has required more than €150bn in additional funding to support all worthy proposals received to date. Consequently, success rates for applicants have declined from 17 per cent in 2022 to 10 per cent in 2025.

Entities

European Commission · Horizon Europe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Horizon Europe budget shortfall already more than €150bn [www.researchprofessionalnews.com]
Horizon Europe programme receives €500m boost [www.innovationnewsnetwork.com]
EU study puts digital identity on research roadmap for next Horizon Europe [www.biometricupdate.com]
European Commission adds €500m to research and innovation funding [www.siliconrepublic.com]