Future Horizon Europe research priorities
By Ingemar Pongratz
The COVID-19 pandemic, societal and economic challenges have tested the European core values and EU cohesion. In many aspects the fabric of the European welfare and healthcare systems has come in question.
New science based solutions are required to ensure that European society remain resilient.
There are several EU mechanisms that to provide new solutions for the future. These mechanisms include the European Green Deal and the Horizon Europe research and innovation scheme.
The Horizon Europe scheme is ongoing with the first calls for proposal expected before the summer. In addition, the European Commission has recently released information regarding the research priorities for Horizon Europe.
The future research priorities are presented in the Horizon Europe Strategic plan for 2021 -2024. The Strategic plan aims to create an efficient link between EU policy and Horizon Europe activities. The plan ensures that research is connected to EU policy, and also with the UN sustainable development goals (SDG).
The Future Horizon Europe research priorities for 2021-2024 are:
- Promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains to accelerate and steer the digital and green transitions through human-centred technologies and innovations
One aim of Horizon Europe is to ensure develop innovative digital technologies for healthcare, cultural heritage, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and data protection. European enterprises need technologies and solutions to allow data and information flows to keep innovation and activities ongoing. In addition, activities should aim to decouple use of environmental resources, generation of greenhouse gases and pollutants to societal growth. The European Commission expects that 5 Horizon Europe clusters will contribute towards this priority. The clusters include Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 2 (Inclusive Societies), Cluster 3 (Civil security), Cluster 4 (Digital Industry and Space) and Cluster 5 (Climate Energy and Mobility)
Horizon Europe activities should decouple societal growth from use of resources, generation of greenhouse gases and pollutants. The European Commission expects that 5 Horizon Europe clusters will contribute towards this priority. The clusters include Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 2 (Inclusive Societies), Cluster 3 (Civil security), Cluster 4 (Digital Industry and Space) and Cluster 5 (Climate Energy and Mobility)
- Restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably natural resources to ensure food security and a clean and healthy environment;
Horizon Europe will provide knowledge and innovative technologies to support ecosystems, healthy environment and sustainable management of natural resources. This priority area will contribute also towards:
- European climate neutrality
- improved biodiversity
- safe water, food and health.
This area is linked with the UN SDG’s (food and water security, health, biodiversity and combating climate change) and with the European Green Deal (Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy). The clusters involved in this strategic priority include Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 4 (Digital Industry and Space), Cluster 5 (Climate Energy and Mobility) and Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Agriculture and Environment)
- Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production systems;
The European Union aims to become climate neutral by 2050. This implies the development of a more sustainable bio-based, climate-neutral, circular, non- toxic economy. Horizon Europe will support the European Green Deal, and to establish the EU as a climate-neutral continent. This priority will establish European Industry as a solution provider and reinforce European standing as a technological and industrial leader in the green transition. The clusters involved in this strategic priority include Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 4 (Digital Industry and Space), Cluster 5 (Climate Energy and Mobility) and Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Agriculture and Environment)
- Creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society, prepared and responsive to threats and disasters, addressing inequalities and providing high-quality health care, and empowering all citizens to act in the green and digital transitions.
Health, well-being, rights and security for all European citizens are central aims for the EU. Research and innovation are crucial for improving our understanding of the risks associated with demographic changes, globalization, security risks. Research and innovation will provide innovative responses to mitigate and protect European Core Values and rule of law. The clusters involved in this strategic priority include Cluster 1 (Health), Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society), Cluster 3 (Civil security for society), Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space), Cluster 5 ((Digital, Industry and Space) and Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment).
Ingemar Pongratz is a founder of Fenix Scientific AB / Pongratz Consulting and of Letavis AB. Through Pongratz Consulting we help organizations to apply for EU funding. Contact Information is available through the online contact form.
Kalltorp lake by Ingemar Pongratz
