THE EU FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HORIZON EUROPE Questions and Answers Provisional edition, July 2020 This Q&A has been prepared by Central Denmark EU Office, Greater Copenhagen EU Office, South Denmark European Office and Aalborg University’s Brussels Office with advice and input from DANRO under the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education. The answers are based on official documentation, independent sources of information, and on our own knowledge, insights, and interpretation of Horizon Europe. Neither our offices nor the European institutions or other formal parties involved in the preparation, decision-making, and implementation of Horizon Europe can be held responsible for any of the answers provided in this document. 1. STRUCTURE OF HORIZON EUROPE ........................................................................ 5 What is Horizon Europe? ................................................................................................................ 5 What is the policy context for Horizon Europe and how is it relevant? ......................................... 5 What is the European Research Area? ........................................................................................... 6 What are the novelties in and rationale behind Horizon Europe compared to Horizon 2020? ..... 6 What is the structure of Horizon Europe? ...................................................................................... 6 What is Excellent Science (Pillar I)? ................................................................................................ 7 What is Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (Pillar II)? ........................... 8 What is Innovative Europe (Pillar III)? ............................................................................................ 8 What is Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area? ....................... 8 What are the cross-cutting issues (SME participation, gender, social science and humanities, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Deal)? .................................................................. 9 What does Technology Readiness Level mean? ............................................................................. 9 What is meant by ‘impact’ in Horizon Europe? ............................................................................ 10 What is the budget of Horizon Europe? ....................................................................................... 10 2. THE THREE PILLARS OF HORIZON EUROPE ......................................................... 11 What are the main novelties in the Excellent Science Pillar? ....................................................... 11 What is a Mission? ........................................................................................................................ 11 Who is a mission-topic relevant for and what can be funded? .................................................... 12 How will a mission-funded project interact with other mission funded projects or Horizon Europe? ......................................................................................................................................... 12 What are the different types of partnerships in Horizon Europe? ............................................... 13 What is the final list of partnerships under Horizon Europe? ...................................................... 14 Which of the co-funded partnerships can Danish stakeholders participate in? ........................... 14 What is European Innovation Council?......................................................................................... 14 What is Pathfinder and Accelerator? ............................................................................................ 14 Is the EIC only for companies? ...................................................................................................... 15 Which companies can get funding from the EIC Accelerator? ..................................................... 15 What is blended finance? ............................................................................................................. 15 What are the investment terms under the equity part of the EIC Accelerator, the EIC Fund? .... 15 Will companies supported by the EIC Accelerator be able to seek investments outside the EU?15 2 What are European Innovation Ecosystems? ............................................................................... 16 What are the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)? ................................................... 16 3. HORIZON EUROPE PROCESS ................................................................................ 17 How often will calls be published under Horizon Europe? ........................................................... 17 How are the Work Programmes prepared under Horizon Europe? ............................................. 17 What is the Specific Programme? ................................................................................................. 17 What is the Strategic Plan? ........................................................................................................... 17 4. ADVOCACY AND KEY PLAYERS ............................................................................. 18 What are the Programme Committees?....................................................................................... 18 What are the Reference Groups? ................................................................................................. 18 How can one provide input to the Work Programmes? ............................................................... 19 What are the European Technology Platforms? ........................................................................... 19 How can one become an advisory to the Commission? ............................................................... 19 5. RULES FOR PARTICIPATION, FUNDING AND APPLICATION ................................. 20 What are the rules for participation? ........................................................................................... 20 What are the types of actions to be applied in Horizon Europe? ................................................. 21 Can project participants be liable to pay back funding to the EU if a project does not reach its goals? ............................................................................................................................................ 21 How will SMEs be able to participate in Horizon Europe? ........................................................... 21 Which countries can receive funding in Horizon Europe? ............................................................ 22 Which countries outside the EU are eligible for funding in Horizon Europe (or parts thereof)? . 22 Is it still possible to collaborate with partners from the United Kingdom? .................................. 22 How can one combine Horizon Europe and other EU funds? ...................................................... 23 What kind of financial instruments are available in Horizon Europe? ......................................... 23 Which ethical rules are applicable in Horizon Europe? ................................................................ 23 6. PROPOSAL............................................................................................................ 24 How can one prepare for Horizon Europe? .................................................................................. 24 How do I submit my proposal, find calls and search for keywords etc.? ...................................... 24 How long will the period be from publication of a call for proposal to the deadline for submission of a proposal? ............................................................................................................ 25 3 How to start the application process and find project partners? ................................................. 25 Where do I find information on how to set up a budget? ............................................................ 26 The budget must be adequate in relation to the work to be performed, as this is part of the evaluation of applications. In general, there are two prevailing approaches for planning a budget: .......................................................................................................................................... 26 Where can I seek advice if I want to apply for Horizon Europe funding? ..................................... 26 7. EVALUATION ........................................................................................................ 27 How is the evaluation process? .................................................................................................... 27 What are the evaluation criteria for Horizon Europe proposals? ................................................. 27 Is there a ranking system for secondary evaluation criteria? ....................................................... 28 What are the key impact pathways? ............................................................................................ 28 How is Seal of Excellence used in Denmark? ................................................................................ 29 What is the role of expert evaluators? ......................................................................................... 29 How to sign up as an expert evaluator?