Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 (Horizon Europe)
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Summary
Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe, the EU framework programme for research and innovation for 2021–2027, and sets the rules for participation and dissemination for actions funded under the programme. It defines the programme’s objectives, structure, forms of EU funding, and key implementation and governance arrangements. It also repeals the previous framework programme regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013.
Who is affected?
Entities applying for or participating in Horizon Europe actions—such as universities, research and technology organisations, companies (including SMEs), public bodies, and other legal entities—are affected. Beneficiaries and other recipients of EU research and innovation funding under the programme must comply with the participation, reporting, and results management/dissemination rules.
Scope
Applies to EU support for research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe (2021–2027), including rules for participation, funding, exploitation and dissemination of results, and programme implementation and governance.
Key Points
- Establishes Horizon Europe as the EU framework programme for research and innovation for 2021–2027, including its objectives and intervention logic
- Sets common rules for participation in and implementation of indirect actions, including eligibility, consortium requirements, and conditions for receiving EU funding
- Defines forms of EU funding (primarily grants, but also prizes, procurement, and blended finance/financial instruments where applicable) and key funding principles
- Lays down obligations on beneficiaries regarding ownership, protection, exploitation and dissemination of results, including open science-related requirements as applicable under the programme rules
- Provides the basis for work programmes, calls, evaluation and award procedures, and monitoring/reporting of programme performance
- Repeals Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 governing the previous framework programme rules
Key Deadlines
- — End of the Horizon Europe programme period (2021–2027)
Related Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must comply with Regulation (EU) 2021/695 (Horizon Europe)?
Entities applying for or participating in Horizon Europe actions—including universities, research and technology organisations, companies (including SMEs), public bodies, and other legal entities—must comply with this regulation.
What activities fall within the scope of Horizon Europe?
The regulation covers all EU-supported research and innovation activities funded under Horizon Europe (2021–2027), including participation rules, funding mechanisms, exploitation and dissemination of results, and programme governance.
What are the key obligations for beneficiaries of Horizon Europe funding?
Beneficiaries must comply with eligibility and consortium requirements, manage and report on project results, adhere to rules on ownership and dissemination (including open science obligations), and follow financial and performance reporting procedures.
What types of EU funding are available under Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe primarily provides grants, but also offers prizes, procurement contracts, and blended finance or financial instruments where appropriate.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with Horizon Europe rules?
Penalties can include recovery of funds, exclusion from future calls, termination of grant agreements, or other administrative sanctions as specified in the regulation and grant agreements.
How does Horizon Europe interact with previous EU research programmes?
Horizon Europe repeals and replaces the previous framework programme regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and No 1291/2013, establishing new rules for the 2021–2027 period.
What are the timelines for participation and reporting under Horizon Europe?
Timelines are set in the work programmes and grant agreements, typically including deadlines for proposal submission, project implementation periods, and periodic and final reporting requirements.
What practical steps should applicants take to ensure compliance?
Applicants should carefully review eligibility and consortium rules, adhere to application procedures, ensure proper management of intellectual property and dissemination, and maintain accurate records for reporting and audits.
Are there special requirements for open science or dissemination of results?
Yes, beneficiaries must comply with open science requirements, including open access to publications and, where applicable, data, as well as obligations to exploit and disseminate results as outlined in the programme rules.
How are Horizon Europe projects evaluated and monitored?
Projects are evaluated based on criteria set in the work programmes, and beneficiaries must submit regular reports for monitoring and assessment of performance and impact.
Key Terms
- Indirect Actions
- Research and innovation activities funded by the EU through grants or other financial support, carried out by beneficiaries rather than directly by the EU institutions.
- Work Programme
- A document adopted by the European Commission outlining the specific topics, calls for proposals, budgets, and timelines for Horizon Europe funding.
- Consortium
- A group of legal entities from different countries collaborating on a Horizon Europe project, typically required for most actions except single-beneficiary grants.
- Beneficiary
- An entity that receives EU funding under Horizon Europe and is responsible for implementing project activities and complying with programme rules.
- Open Science
- A set of practices promoting openness in research, including open access to publications and data, required under certain Horizon Europe actions.
- Blended Finance
- A funding mechanism combining EU grants with other forms of financial support, such as loans or equity, to support innovation projects.
- Dissemination
- The process of making project results available to stakeholders and the public, as required by Horizon Europe rules.
- Exploitation
- The use of project results for commercial, societal, or policy purposes, including further research or development, as mandated by the regulation.
- Financial Instruments
- Non-grant forms of EU support, such as loans, guarantees, or equity investments, used to finance research and innovation activities.
- Grant Agreement
- A legally binding contract between the European Commission (or its agencies) and beneficiaries, setting out the terms for Horizon Europe funding and project implementation.