Horizon Europe (HEU) defines the EU research and innovation (R&I) programme between 2021 and 2027, with a budget of €95.5 billion.

The programme aims at developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. The programme creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact.

Specifically, the pillar 'Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness', which includes ‘Civil Security for Society’, aims to reinforce the European industrial competitiveness, and support the uptake of innovative solutions in industry, in particular in SMEs and start- ups, and society to address global challenges.

European entities operate in a fierce and highly competitive global market. Ensuring long-term sustainability of the European research and industrial base requires continuous innovation, IPR assurance, and access to market prospects.
HEU offers a unique opportunity for inventors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, buyers and investors, since it provides them direct access to funding and orientation to develop tailored solutions aiming at addressing European priorities, critical issues and development goals, complying with European regulation, values and principles.
Despite existing support, overcoming the so called ‘Valley of Death’ (i.e., the gap from an idea/invention/prototype to a successful innovation) is still challenging.

It is noted that the opinions and thoughts expressed herein reflect only the participants’ own views.