First Horizon 2020 Calls launched

The first Calls the new European framework program for research and innovation were launched this week, outlining funding opportunities for 2014 and 2015.

The funding opportunities for the first two years (2014-15) of Horizon 2020 are described in the Participant Portal. The work plan provides for a total of 15 billion euros in funding over two years, and reflects Horizon 2020's new approach of responding to challenges, organized around its three pillars: Science of Excellence, Industrial Leadership, and Societal Challenges.

Twelve areas of focus have been identified in this first Horizon 2020 work plan, each of which has a Call. They represent around 15% of the total number of Calls over these two years, and total around 2 billion euros. They are: Personalized health and care; Sustainable food security; Blue growth: unlocking the potential of the oceans; Digital security; Smart cities and communities; Competitive low-carbon energy; Energy efficiency; Mobility for growth; Waste: a resource to recycle, reuse and recover raw materials; Water resources: boosting their value for Europe; Overcoming the crisis: new ideas, strategies and governance structures for Europe; Disaster resilience: ensuring the security of societies, including adaptation to climate change.

Several cross-cutting themes have been incorporated into the work plan, ensuring a more integrated approach. These include Innovation; Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation; Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); Social Sciences and Humanities; Gender; International Cooperation; Climate and Sustainable Development.

Frontier scientific research of excellence will be guaranteed under Horizon 2020, through the European Research Council (ERC). During 2014, through its well-established instruments, the ERC will invest in around 1,000 young or established researchers who want to settle in Europe.

For more information on Portugal's participation in Horizon 2020, and news on events and new Calls, see the website of the GPPQ - Gabinete de Promoção do Programa Quadro.