A year of EU-funded research

Throughout 2023, the European Union continued to fund research to find solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.??

Our role at the European Research Executive Agency (REA) has remained that of managing parts of the EU’s programmes for research and innovation and the related funding, supporting projects and researchers, as well as ensuring their work is visible and contributes effectively to solving societal issues.?

A key executive agency????

At REA, we invested over €2.5 billion in EU funds throughout 2023. The majority of which was through Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.??

We received over 11,000 project proposals this year for the numerous calls for funding that were opened to?support the EU Green Deal, push for democracy, build an?economy that works for people, and develop a society fit for the digital age.?

Our Horizon Europe family also expanded in 2023. Various negotiations were concluded with Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom - boosting our shared scientific endeavours. I also met with a delegation from Georgia this year to find ways we can support the country’s research landscape.?

A more sustainable future?

Preventing pollution, nurturing nature, bolstering biodiversity, and building the bioeconomy are EU priorities in the European Green Deal that research aims to contribute to under Horizon Europe - Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. 137 new projects will begin their research from 2023 calls for proposals under this topic.?

A call is currently open under this green research part of Horizon Europe with proposals to be submitted by 22 February 2024 - apply to contribute to a more sustainable future.?

In addition, this year, 17 new projects began their research to support the Mission Soil.?And to support the Green Transition, we managed a call for proposals with a budget of €205 million for the Research Fund for Coal and Steel.?

A more inclusive society??

In the humanities, we managed a call under Horizon Europe - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society. Ongoing research in this field contributes to our understanding of democracy, migration, mental health and the arts, and trust in science.?

We also managed a call under Horizon Europe - Civil Security for Society. From peacebuilding to AI and from resilient societies to cybersecurity, this research is vital to building a safer future.?

Additional calls for proposals under Horizon Europe were opened for Research Infrastructures, Widening Participation, and Reforming the European R&I System. 105 new projects began their research under these various parts of Horizon Europe in 2023. REA also co-manages the Promotional of Agricultural Products programme where 68 projects are to be co-funded by the EU.?

In addition, REA supported the organisation of the EU Contest for Young Scientists and the EU Gender Equality Champions – which is currently open for submissions for the next award ceremony.

Supporting researchers and their careers?

Over €858 million was invested across 1,552 projects as part of the Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) to support researchers and their careers through mobility and innovative doctoral and postdoctoral training. ?

In 2023, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to two scientists involved in numerous MSCA projects. We also celebrated an MSCA researcher winning the “Woman in Energy” Award at this year’s European Sustainable Energy Week, and another for winning the 2023 EU Product Safety Gold Award respectively, in the “early career researchers” category.??

Giving research a voice?

REA’s work goes beyond managing EU funds for research. Throughout 2023, we aimed to provide researchers with the tools to amplify their work and make their outcomes more visible. This includes comprehensive communication guidance.?

We also provided guidance for applicants to Horizon Europe - including on topics such as Open Science, gender, and mistakes to avoid when applying.??

We look forward to continuing our work in 2024 – with plenty of new calls for proposals to open for you to apply to.?

For the time being, happy holidays!?