2024 marked the 40th anniversary of EU R&I funding programmes. Over €280 billion invested since inception has supported more than 120,000 grants and 75,000 beneficiaries, including over 30 Nobel Prize winners. That legacy continues today, as Horizon Europe becomes central to Europe’s policy vision and industrial leadership.

From AI to quantum computing, biotechnology to advanced semiconductors—Europe is staking its claim. In 2024:

• The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme was launched for 2025 to provide equity investments to accelerate growth in critical technology sectors.
  
• €6.3 billion was redirected from cohesion policy to support Europe’s technological sovereignty.
• A white paper on dual-use research launched to guide responsible innovation.
• Risk assessment frameworks and due diligence tools were initiated to safeguard research security in international collaboration.

Research is now at the core of the EU’s climate and digital transformation agenda:

• R&I underpinned the 2040 climate target: a 90% emissions reduction.

• Major initiatives supported industrial carbon management, biodiversity, and the Hydrogen Valleys roadmap.

• 35% of Horizon Europe spending targets climate action, while 21% supports digital transformation (€11.6B invested by 2024).

Meanwhile, the GenAI4EU initiative, the European AI Office, and a Digital Infrastructure white paper show how digital leadership is being built on European values.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 656 calls for proposals, covering 2,534 topics with a total budget of €59.4 billion
  
• 88,803 eligible proposals submitted (2021–2024), but only 16.4% funded due to budget constraints
  
• €43.2 billion awarded across 15,148 grants, with an average grant size of €2.9 million

Despite high competition, the programme is fueling serious impact:

• 95,156 researchers upskilled (with 44.1% women)
  
• 39,543 jobs created or maintained (FTEs)
  
• €10.2 billion in co-investments mobilised

• SMEs represent 35.8% of project participants
  
• New participants now make up 51.1% of all beneficiaries
  
• 12 Ukrainian cities joined the SUN4Ukraine climate-neutral mission
  
• 19 countries are now associated with Horizon Europe—including Canada and the UK
  

EIT-backed startups, Horizon Europe’s gender equality initiatives, and expanding international cooperation all signal a more inclusive and globalised R&I ecosystem.

Horizon Europe’s five missions are transforming policy into practice:

• ‘Cancer’ mission reached 11 million people with awareness efforts
  
• ‘Climate Adaptation’ mission supported 145 regions
  
• ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ mission funded with €127 million, delivering the Digital Twin of the Ocean prototype
  
• ‘100 Climate-Neutral Cities’: 43 more cities awarded the Mission Label
  
• ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’: 25 living labs, 250 testing sites, and 167 partners launched

European Partnerships are delivering high-leverage innovation:

• €4.8 billion granted through Joint Undertakings (11% of Horizon Europe funds)
• 530 grants, 4,281 organisations, with 44% SMEs

In 2025, two new work programmes (for 2025 and 2026–2027) will:

• Sharpen the focus on impact
  
• Simplify access and reporting for applicants
  
• Align with the Clean Industrial Deal and upcoming Start-up and Scale-up Strategy

These strategic updates aim to keep Europe at the forefront of global science, technology, and sustainable growth.