Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-24

STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 - 2024
Research and
Innovation
Horizon Europe Strategic Plan (2021 – 2024)
European Commission
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Directorate A — Policy & Programming Centre
Unit Unit A.3 - Horizon Strategic Planning and Programming
Contact Siv Jacobsen

Email [email protected]
[email protected]
European Commission
B-1049 Brussels
Manuscript completed in February 2021.

1st edition.
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION
HORIZON EUROPE
STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024
2021 Directorate-General for Research and Innovation EN

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HORIZON EUROPE Strategic Plan | 2021 – 2024
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................3
CO-DESIGN OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN..........................................................................................................6
KEY STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS................................................................7

A. PROMOTING AN OPEN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY BY LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT OF KEY
DIGITAL, ENABLING AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, SECTORS AND VALUE CHAINS.......7
B. RESTORING EUROPE’S ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY, AND MANAGING
SUSTAINABLY NATURAL RESOURCES...........................................................................................................................10
C. MAKING EUROPE THE FIRST DIGITALLY ENABLED CIRCULAR, CLIMATE-NEUTRAL
AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY...........................................................................................................................................12
D. CREATING A MORE RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC EUROPEAN SOCIETY..........14
EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS ......................................................................17

MISSIONS.............................................................................................................19
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.............................................................20
BRIDGING BETWEEN THE THREE PILLARS OF
HORIZON EUROPE .........................................................................................22
SPECIFIC ISSUES.............................................................................................25
BACKGROUND & FRAMEWORK...............................................................29
CLUSTERS
HEALTH.........................................................................................................................................................................32
CULTURE, CREATIVITY & INCLUSIVE SOCIETY......................................................................................44
CIVIL SECURITY FOR SOCIETY........................................................................................................................54
DIGITAL, INDUSTRY & SPACE..........................................................................................................................65
CLIMATE, ENERGY & MOBILITY.....................................................................................................................75
FOOD, BIOECONOMY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT.............86
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INTRODUCTION
In recent years we have had to come up with answers to challenges that tested the
core values and principles of the EU as a community. Economic crises, increased global
competition, climate change and environmental threats have pushed our understanding
of what binds us together as Europeans and made clearer the boundaries of the world
around us.
The COVID-19-pandemic has been the latest test and in many ways the biggest one
yet. It has strained our healthcare and welfare systems and has shaken our societies
and economies and our ways of living and working together. The pandemic and its
consequences are highlighting the importance for Europe and the world to be better
prepared for and more resilient to systemic shocks, and for our Union to reinforce its
open strategic autonomy1 and its internal cohesion.
The EU has stepped up to these challenges. We are using the moment to accelerate
the twin green and digital transitions and associated transformation of our
economy, industry and society. This will allow us to build a sustainable, fair and more
resilient Europe and consolidate our global leadership in human-centred innovation and
sustainable solutions.
For this, we need a strong research, education and innovation foundation, grounded
in scientific excellence and competitive innovation policies for European citizens and
businesses. Our future prosperity and well-being will largely depend on it.
Horizon Europe, the ninth European Research and Innovation Framework programme
(2021-2027), is one of the key instruments of the Union to steer and accelerate Europe’s
recovery, preparedness and resilience. In the context of a new European Research
Area for research and innovation2, it will strengthen our knowledge base through
frontier research, spur breakthrough innovation and support the development and
demonstration of innovative solutions, and it will help restore our industrial leadership
and open strategic autonomy. Citizens and businesses expect the Union to lead on the
transformation pathways in a transparent, effective and inclusive way. This journey will
take place within Horizon Europe and its strategic plan will be the map for it.
This first Horizon Europe strategic plan defines the strategic orientations for our
research and innovation investments over the period 2021-2024 and acts as a compass
to stay on course with the political priorities of the Commission with a focus on a climate-
neutral and green Europe, fit for the digital age, where the economy works for the people.
The aim is to ensure an effective interface between EU policy priorities, and programme
activities and ultimately, the research and innovation projects funded by Horizon Europe3.
This will stimulate research and innovation investments where they are needed and, most
1
‘Open strategic autonomy’ refers to the term ‘strategic autonomy while preserving an open economy’, as reflected in the conclusions of the
European Council 1 – 2 October 2020.
2
Communication “A new ERA for Research and Innovation”, COM/2020/628 final
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The strategic planning process focuses in particular on the second pillar of Horizon Europe 'Global challenges and European industrial
competitiveness'. It also covers relevant activities in the first pillar, ‘Excellent Science’, and the third pillar, ‘Innovative Europe’, and the ‘Widening
Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area part’.
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importantly, deliver results. Horizon Europe will approach the twin transitions towards a
green and digital recovery in an ambitious manner and will commit sizeable financial
efforts to support the green and digital transformations. In order to reflect the
need to accelerate these transitions following the COVID-19 pandemic, the degree of
investment will be considerably increased compared to the current programming period
and proportionate to the level of ambition of the Commission within these areas. The EU
Member States, European Economic Area (EEA)4 Countries and the European Parliament,
as well as stakeholders and interested citizens, all made a collective effort to design it.
Defining objectives together has created a sound foundation for the work to follow. We
will, however, only achieve these objectives if we are able to continue acting collectively
at a system level, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The
challenges are complex and interconnected but so are the solutions. We will need more
ambitious investments in new knowledge and its diffusion into relevant industries and
society as a whole. Also, if we wish to do it in a responsible and inclusive way, we will
need even more collaboration – across borders and across disciplines and actors. The
future missions and European Partnerships in particular, will promote societal, ecological
and economic transformations by involving, collaborating with - and building consensus
among citizens and practitioners on research and innovation roadmaps and priorities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed multiple vulnerabilities, ranging from the
coordination of emergency health response to manufacturing, not least in the value
chains in the EU’s economy. It has underlined the critical function that digital technologies
play in running the economy. It also made the EU aware of the need to reduce dependency
and strengthen security of supply, notably in sectors like pharmaceutical ingredients, raw
materials or food.
Therefore, the new framework programme will invest in areas that are of clear
strategic importance for Europe, for example green supply chain components, low-
power electronics, advanced computing systems or future networks. The programme
will also support digital transformation and sustainability goals in health, education,
manufacturing, energy, mobility, agriculture and food systems. It will be focused on
transferring the developed knowledge and innovative solutions to real-life environments
where they can generate impact and serve citizens.
With the presentation of the European Green Deal, the Commission committed to making
the EU climate neutral by 2050. Such a climate transition requires substantial efforts
in research and innovation in the fields of clean technologies and social transitions.
Research and innovation will determine the speed at which this transition can take
place, directly affecting the impacts and co-benefits, such as better air quality, healthy
soils and oceans, food and nutrition security, increased employment, social inclusion,
sustainable resource management, and reduced dependency on fossil fuels. The rate
Horizon Europe is open for association of EEA States and other third countries and territories, subject to the necessary conditions being met.
4
References to ‘Member States’ and ‘EU’ in the text also include associated countries and territories, as appropriate.
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at which European research and innovation actions succeed in developing, upscaling,

implementing, and commercialising such innovative solutions will therefore steer EU’s
future competitiveness of its existing and newly emerging industries.
Horizon Europe will act as a synergetic force across the EU funding programmes.5
Through the programme, special attention will be given to ensuring vibrant cooperation
between universities, scientific communities and industry, including small and
medium enterprises, and citizens and their representatives, in order to bridge gaps
between territories, generations and regional cultures, especially caring for the needs of
the young in shaping Europe’s future.
Our efforts should be multiplied at international level. The integrated approach to

systemic transitions will reinforce the EU’s efforts in promoting multilateralism and
dialogue on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, European
research and innovation efforts will contribute to new frontiers of human development
within our planet’s ecological boundaries. Faced with the challenges of our time,
the cooperation and creativity – especially scientific, social and technological – are the
bedrock of peace and prosperity for all.
In particular European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD); European Maritime
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and Fisheries Fund (EMFF); European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); European Social Fund Plus (ESF+); EU4Health; Connecting Europe Facility
(CEF); Digital Europe Programme (DEP); Single Market Programme; LIFE - Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE); Erasmus+
Programme; Union Space Programme; Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and the Instrument for
Pre-accession Assistance ('IPA III'); Internal Security Fund (ISF); Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) as part of the Integrated Border
Management Fund; InvestEU Programme; Innovation Fund under the Emission Trading Scheme (the 'Innovation Fund'); Just Transition Mechanism;
Euratom Research and Training Programme; European Defence Fund; and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
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CO-DESIGN OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN

In the making of this plan the Commission has pursued an ambitious co-design approach. The
co-design approach aims to:
• enlarge the ownership of the programme to a broader number of stakeholders;
• leverage this extended ownership to optimise the effect of Horizon Europe investments.
Two series of co-design activities have been organised:
• remote co-design activities aiming primarily at understanding stakeholders’ views on the
contribution of Horizon Europe to the EU policy priorities. The interactions were organised
through the Horizon Europe webpage, with the posting of documentation and surveys. In total,
three web-based co-design exercises were organised as part of the strategic planning process,
during which 8000+ written contributions were submitted.
• face to face co-design activities aiming primarily at receiving stakeholders’ opinions through
structured and informal exchanges during the European Research and Innovation Days in 2019.
• The main messages were summarised in an Orientations report. Other co-design activities may be
organised following the adoption of the strategic plan, notably in case of update or for monitoring
and evaluation purposes. Co-design activities may be extended to specific Horizon Europe activities,
as relevant, notably through citizen science, open science practices and social innovation.
Content
The result of the innovative co-design process is reflected in four key strategic orientations,
supported by 15 impact areas, as presented in this strategic plan. These strategic orientations
will guide the Horizon Europe work programmes until 2024 and will provide the basis for building
synergies with other EU programmes and funds, as well as investments in research and innovation
at Member State level in the context of the European Research Area.
The key strategic orientations and impact areas are formulated on the basis of expected impacts,
which have been defined, largely bottom-up, during the co-design process. The impacts define
the wider effects on society, the economy and science to be targeted by research and innovation
activities, but not the manner in which to achieve them. This is entirely up to the imagination and
skill of the applicants. The impacts are structured by the six clusters that make up Horizon Europe’s
second Pillar, ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ and are described, along
with cross-cluster complementarities and intervention areas covered, in six cluster-specific
impact summaries annexed to this document. As such, the key strategic orientations and expected
impacts set the scene for the research and innovation activities and outputs to be defined in the
work programmes under Horizon Europe’s Pillar II, Global Challenges and European Industrial
Competitiveness for 2021-2024.
Furthermore, this document presents a range of horizontal considerations related to areas
for international cooperation, and key specific issues, such as gender, social sciences
and humanities integration, key enabling technologies, ethics, open science practices, as
well as social innovation. It also identifies missions and European co-funded and co-
programmed partnerships.
Further information on the background of this strategic plan, the co-design approach, the strategic
planning process and the process for preparing European Partnerships and missions can be found
here and in the section Background and Framework, from page 29.
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KEY STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS

FOR RESEARCH & INNOVATION
In response to the political priorities and recovery plan of the Union, the following four
key strategic orientations for EU research and innovation have been defined for the
period 2021-2024:
• 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;
• Restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably

natural resources to ensure food security and a clean and healthy environment;
• Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and

sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy,
construction and production systems;
• 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.
A. 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for our lives and economies have
highlighted the importance of digitalisation across all areas of EU society and economy.
New technologies have kept our businesses and public services running and our family
and social bonds flowing. Already today, the data economy lies at the heart of innovation
and job creation.6 The European Union has the ambition of empowering European citizens
with digital solutions rooted in our common values and enriching the lives of all of us.
Horizon Europe will help shape innovative technologies and solutions for healthcare,
cultural heritage, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and data protection,
the improvement of skills and inclusive growth and jobs. Businesses need technologies
and solutions that enable them to start up, scale up, pool and use data, innovate and
compete or cooperate on fair terms.
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See A European strategy for data
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Horizon Europe will help secure the open strategic autonomy of Europe and its global
leadership in digital and emerging enabling technologies. Europe will become more
resilient and independent through investments in strategic parts of the digital and other
key supply chains and by supporting the development and uptake of new technologies
and the green and digital transformation of industrial ecosystems, diversifying our key
supply chains, supporting technological sovereignty where it matters and keeping the flow
of innovation going. The digital and green transitions provide also a unique opportunity to
decouple resource use (water, land, biodiversity, materials, energy) and emissions such as
greenhouse gases (GHG) and pollutants from socio-economic development and growth.
IMPACT AREAS
• A competitive and secure data-economy
• Industrial leadership in key and emerging technologies that work for people
• Secure and cybersecure digital technology
• High quality digital services for all
Five clusters will contribute in particular to this orientation and accelerate and steer the
digital and green transitions, enriching the lives of all European citizens through novel
digital technologies rooted in our common values.
CLUSTER 1 (Health) will increase Europe’s autonomy in delivering health care by

contributing to safer, trusted, more effective and efficient, affordable and cost-effective
tools, technologies and digital solutions for improved (personalised) health promotion
and disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring for better health outcomes
and well-being, by integrating people in the design and decision-making, based on
expected health outcomes and potential risks involved. It will also contribute to a health-
related industry in the EU that is more competitive and sustainable, ensuring European
leadership in breakthrough health technologies and open strategic autonomy in essential
medical supplies and digital technologies, contributing to job creation and economic
growth, in particular Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
CLUSTER 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) will support sustainable innovation, job
creation, improved working conditions and a European sense of belonging through a continuous
engagement with society, citizens, social partners and economic sectors. It will assist in the
transition to new forms of work, ensuring the social inclusiveness of such transformations and
attracting, protecting and retaining a skilled workforce. It will also tap into the full potential of
cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative sectors and industries. Research and innovation
will support the access to our common heritage through new technologies, high quality
digitisation and curation of digital heritage assets and by developing solutions for sustainable
and inclusive cultural tourism in Europe. New, participatory management models, including for
museums and cultural institutions will be developed and new technologies will be identified to
increase the international competitiveness of Europe’s cultural production.
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CLUSTER 3 (Civil security for society) will contribute to establishing, deploying and
stewarding resilient critical digital and physical infrastructure, both private and
public. Strengthened European cybersecurity industrial capacities and the uptake
of architectural principles of ‘security-by-design’ and ‘privacy-by-design’ in digital
technologies will create increased open strategic autonomy and competitive edge
and leadership in global markets vis-à-vis foreign technologies. Another expected
contribution will be to defend the EUs high standards concerning the right to privacy,
protection of personal data, and the protection of other fundamental rights in the digital
age on the global stage. Cluster 3 investments in research and innovation to enhance
cybersecurity will as well contribute to the resilience of the digital infrastructures and
their ability to supply and provide services, as well as the security and safety of all
producers and users.
CLUSTER 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) will support the development and mastery
of digital and key enabling technologies of the future. This will increase adaptability
and resilience to improve production response, recovery and preparedness to deliver
on a green, digital and fair transformation and give EU industries across all sectors the
competitive edge they need for leadership in global markets. Investments under this
cluster will support the EU to seize opportunities in key parts of the digital supply chain,
to consolidate EU assets (e.g. embedded systems, telecom, industrial technologies) and
develop missing segments in key strategic value chains, including secure, sustainable,
responsibly sourced supply of raw and critical raw materials.
Cluster 4 will support the EU approach to technology development as human-centred

and going hand-in-hand with European social and ethical values, driving the Artificial
Intelligence revolution in a direction beneficial to humans. Key digital technologies along
the whole electronics value chain will be developed, including photonics and software
technologies. Research and innovation will further enhance services and applications
from Copernicus and Galileo for Earth observation and accurate global Positioning
Navigation and Timing (PNT) for EU citizens, the economy and policy making. Research
and innovation will contribute to future secured communications (GOVSATCOM) and to
EU autonomous access to space and competitiveness in space systems. World-class
high-performance computing, data and communication technologies (including Quantum
and ‘Beyond 5G’ connectivity) will be developed to help tackle the search for secure and
innovative solutions in times of crisis or disaster. Advanced Artificial Intelligence, data
processing and analytics, and robotics will improve the competitiveness of European
industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, utilities, transport, agriculture, food,
energy, construction, fashion, tourism, etc. Research and innovation will enable and drive
demand for continuous upskilling and reskilling of the work force. Cluster 4, along with
cluster 3, will also promote cross-fertilisation with other instruments contributing to
Europe’s security, including by supporting the implementation of the upcoming action
plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries.7
7
Whereas research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe will have an exclusive focus on civil applications, coordination with EU-funded defence
research will be sought in order to strengthen synergies, recognising that there are areas of dual-use technology. Duplication of funding is avoided.
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CLUSTER 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) will support Europe’s green transition based on
competitive European industrial and service value chains, in particular in the energy and
mobility sector which represent markets that are predicted to substantially grow globally.
Targeted research and innovation support will enable cleaner and more competitive
energy and mobility solutions and digitalised services crucial for a competitive European
economy and will benefit society and citizens by offering a better quality of life and
millions of new qualified green and future proof jobs.
B. RESTORING EUROPE’S ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY, AND MANAGING

SUSTAINABLY NATURAL RESOURCES to ensure food security and a clean and
healthy environment.
Human activities create pressures on natural resources that go far beyond sustainable
levels, affecting ecosystems and their capacity to provide multiple services for human well-
being. Natural resources are further degraded because of the impacts of climate change.
Agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, food and bio-based systems are of particular
concern. They have a profound impact on environmental and climate changes and at the
same time are particularly affected by them. The European Union has the ambition to halt
biodiversity decline, protect and preserve ecosystems, and manage natural resources on
land and sea in a sustainable way, thereby ensuring food and nutrition security as well as a
clean and healthy environment for all while contributing to climate neutrality and adaptation.
Horizon Europe will thus advance knowledge, build capacities and provide innovative
technologies and solutions to support the state and functioning of ecosystems, to ensure
a clean and healthy environment and a sustainable management of natural resources that
provides for our needs and contributes to climate neutrality and adaptation. Horizon Europe
will focus as well on the nexus between biodiversity, water, food and health focusing on the
interlinkages among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to food
and water security, health for all, protecting biodiversity on land and in the oceans and
combating climate change. Horizon Europe investments will be aligned with the objectives
of the European Green Deal initiatives, in particular the Farm to Fork Strategy and the
Biodiversity Strategy. This will bolster the role of the European Union in the ecological
transition as a solution provider for the benefit of all.
IMPACT AREAS
• Enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity on land and in waters
• Clean and healthy air, water and soil
• Sustainable food systems from farm to fork on land and sea
Four clusters will contribute in particular to this orientation and to providing a clean and
healthy environment for all, by improving our knowledge on planetary boundaries and
developing solutions to improve our food systems, restore damaged ecosystems reduce
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greenhouse gas emissions, short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) and other pollutants, and
enhance sequestration and storage of carbon in ecosystems.
CLUSTER 1 (Health) will improve our knowledge and understanding of the impacts
of environmental degradation and of occupational and lifestyle risk factors on human
health and well-being, contribute to protecting citizens’ health from them. It will prevent
malnutrition and diseases related to food intake and sedentary lifestyles, through healthy
diets and the promotion of healthy lifestyles and by informing food safety standards and
food production systems, along with cluster 6. It will also contribute to making the health
sector environmentally sustainable.
CLUSTER 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) will contribute to food security and environmental
protection through new technologies enabling advanced applications for agriculture,
fisheries, aquaculture, food systems, forestry and environmental monitoring that will
be developed under cluster 6, such as the monitoring of crops and precision farming
or improving fisheries control, by combining images and data from various sources,
monitoring, smart robots or drones, and information from Copernicus Earth Observation
satellites as well as accurate positioning, navigation and timing servicesfrom the Galileo/
EGNOS constellation.
CLUSTER 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) will contribute to a cleaner and healthier
environment by reducing the negative impacts of mobility and energy generation and
use on air quality, ecosystems and biodiversity.
CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

will contribute to restoring degraded ecosystems, reversing the loss of biodiversity and
associated ecosystem functions, reducing disaster risks and enhancing climate change
mitigation and adaptation, as well as the sustainable and circular management of
natural resources on land and at sea, including by developing nature-based solutions.
Cluster 6 will put biodiversity back on a path to recovery in all sectors through a better
understanding, monitoring and tackling of its direct and indirect drivers and improvements
to European and global policies and conventions. It will also enhance healthy ecosystems
and biodiversity including those that are indispensable to sustainable agriculture,
aquaculture and fisheries. Farmers will be empowered to move to sustainable agriculture
systems. Fish and seafood production will rely on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
The transition to sustainable, low ecological footprint, healthy and inclusive food systems
– from primary production to consumption – that provide safe, nutritious and affordable
food to all will accelerate by enhancing governance, reducing food losses and waste,
improving animal, plant and soil health, developing innovative food value chains with
fairly distributed benefits, costs and risks between e.g. buyers and various suppliers,
shifting to sustainable healthy diets, along with cluster 1, and nutrition affordable for
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all. All these changes will be facilitated by digital and data technologies - including the
development of digital twins of the Earth systems in collaboration with the Destination
Earth initiative of the European Strategy for Data - as well as effective agricultural
knowledge and innovation systems. Research and innovation will foster regulatory
science in order to proactively address food safety issues from farm to fork, and protect
plant health and animal health and welfare.
C. 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 has the ambition to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 2030 and to become climate neutral by 2050 and turn into a more sustainable
bio-based, climate-neutral, circular, non-toxic and competitive economy. This requires
unprecedented changes in the way we produce, trade, build, move around and consume,
which will spur our technological, economic and societal transformation and contribute
to a green recovery. Horizon Europe investments will help deliver on the different
dimensions of the European Green Deal, the European Union’s new growth strategy.
Furthermore, investments will be aligned with strategic priorities such as the European
Union’s Climate Action, the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, Renovation Wave
Strategy, European Strategy for Energy System Integration, European Hydrogen Strategy,
Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy and Circular Economy Action Plan. Through these
investments, the European Union will contribute to digitally transforming the EU industry
and to make the EU climate-neutral by transitioning all economic sectors. This will boost
the role of the European Union as a solution provider for the benefit of all and position
Europe as a technological and industrial leader in the green transition.
IMPACT AREAS
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Affordable and clean energy
• Smart and sustainable transport
• Circular and clean economy
Four clusters will contribute in particular to this orientation and will enable digital
transformation and the climate transition. This includes deep reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions in the EU mobility, energy, construction and production systems by
advancing climate science and developing and deploying innovative low and zero-carbon
solutions.
CLUSTER 1 (Health) will deliver health technologies and services that are cleaner,
greener and more circular by design so that both health care systems and health-related
industries in the EU become more sustainable, cost-effective and more competitive.
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It will also investigate ways and means to prepare the health system for coping with
health threats caused by climate change and with related challenges in healthcare.
CLUSTER 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) will contribute to transform EU industries

to make them, by 2050, climate-neutral, zero polluting, energy-efficient and globally
competitive, through their digitalisation, breakthrough technologies, innovative solutions,
new business models and help ensure the secure, sustainable and responsibly sourced
supply of (critical) raw materials. It will significantly contribute to increasing the energy
efficiency and decreasing the carbon footprint and resource consumption of digital and
industrial technologies themselves, and to using these technologies to optimise processes
of other industrial sectors. Fostering a circular economy, digitalising industry and climate
neutral energy-intensive industries will be crucial for this industrial transformation. It will
contribute to sustainably supplying climate neutral materials, products as well as smart
and sustainable mobility systems and atmosphere monitoring through space services
and data from Copernicus and Galileo/ European Geostationary Navigation Overlay
Service (EGNOS).
CLUSTER 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) will contribute to achieving climate

neutrality and the zero pollution ambition of the energy and transport sector while
maintaining their competitive leadership and contribution to Europe’s prosperity. Based
on effective and efficient pathways towards climate neutrality, this will include cross-
cutting solutions for securing provision of cleaner energy at lower costs, coping with
intermittence and energy storage issues, smarter connection of industrial installations
to the energy system, more competitive and cleaner transport as well as smarter and
safer mobility solutions for goods and people.
CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

will help better understand and seize the climate mitigation and adaptation potential of
ecosystems and primary production systems including through maintaining and further
increasing natural carbon sinks as well as monitoring and environmental observations. The
cluster will support a circular, zero-carbon industry as well as nature-based innovations to
provide sustainable and climate-smart agriculture and forestry as well as a circular climate
neutral, sustainable bio-based industry that provides bio-based materials and products
with low ecological footprint, preventing and mitigating pollution, including plastic pollution.
Research and innovation will support the transition to a climate neutral, sustainable and
productive blue economy, including thriving aquaculture, fisheries and emerging sectors
such as marine biotechnology. Innovative nature-based solutions will unlock the potential
of the sustainable bioeconomy and replace fossil-based, carbon-intensive and harmful
materials with innovative, climate-neutral, bio-based, non-toxic materials and chemicals.
Innovative solutions, a non-toxic and more circular use of resources and the mainstreaming
of circular systems will contribute to achieving zero polluted land, soil, water and air, seas
and oceans, including by taking a multi-stressors approach.
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D. 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.
Social cohesion and inclusiveness and the health, well-being, rights and security of
its citizens are central aims of the EU’s policies and programmes. However, the EU is
facing challenges related to demographic change, globalisation, protection of nature,
evolving security threats and rapid technological change, which are putting under strain
the well-being of citizens and communities, and challenging business models, public
services, as well as the foundations of the Single Market. As the COVID-19 pandemic
has shown, research and innovation are crucial for improving our understanding of
the risks and developing innovative responses. This goes hand in hand with delivering
on policy priorities to promote good work and living conditions including through the
European Pillar of Social Rights, protecting the rule of law and respect for EU core values,
and ensuring fundamental societal functions such as healthcare, social protection, law
enforcement, border management, education, basic financial services, communication
and logistics. Investments under Horizon Europe will be instrumental to develop stronger
health systems and improve medical technologies and develop the knowledge and
innovations that underpin the health and well-being of all citizens.
Horizon Europe will help develop innovations, policies and institutions to support democratic
processes and enhance trust in democratic institutions, through improved transparency,
accountability, rule of law and equality, including gender equality. It will support innovative
approaches to connecting education and training to emerging social and labour market
needs while improving societal adaptation and integration in the green and digital transition.
It will reinforce disaster risk management, border management and law enforcement while
mitigating the negative effects of acute crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
IMPACT AREAS
• A resilient EU prepared for emerging threats
• A secure, open and democratic EU society
• Good health and high-quality accessible healthcare
• Inclusive growth and new job opportunities
All six clusters will contribute to this orientation and will ensure a more resilient, secure,
inclusive and democratic society for all Europeans, by creating deeper knowledge of
society and by developing and deploying innovative cross-sectoral solutions, multilevel
governance models and evidence-based strategies.
CLUSTER 1 (Health) will contribute to promoting and protecting human health and
well-being, preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases and decreasing
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the burden of diseases and disabilities on people and communities, and supporting the
transformation of health care systems in their efforts towards better health promotion
and disease prevention while ensuring fair access for everyone to innovative, sustainable
(including from a fiscal point of view) and high quality health care. Moreover, cluster 1
will contribute to increasing the resilience of EU Member states’ health care systems
and their ability to prevent and detect early any threats to public health as well as to
strengthening their preparedness to respond promptly and effectively to public health
emergencies.
CLUSTER 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) will contribute to tackling

social and economic, gender and cultural inequalities via strategies of inclusion, non-
discrimination, solidarity, social protection, empowerment and social investment (such
as strengthening of the social protection and education and training systems). It will
also contribute to a comprehensive European strategy for inclusive growth and upward
convergence for the wellbeing of citizens. In addition, relevant research and innovation
investments will support policy action in favour of democracy, its stability, and its
further development with a view to enhancing representation, participation, openness,
pluralism, tolerance, non-discrimination and collective intelligence. It will stimulate the
effectiveness of public policy, as well as the protection of fundamental rights and the
rule of law. Finally, cluster 2 will help produce evidence-based strategies to manage
mobility and migration and the integration of migrants in European society, including
a better understanding of how migration interacts with other relevant policy fields (e.g.
welfare, education, skills provision, housing, public services). Activities will contribute
to expanding social resilience, tackling political extremism and enhancing trust in
democratic governance in general. Investments will also contribute to safeguarding
endangered cultural heritage from natural hazards and anthropogenic disasters by
preventive interventions, as well as ensuring equal and wide access to cultural assets
and heritage sites.
CLUSTER 3 (Civil security for society) will support EU responses to security challenges
while ensuring free movement and protecting the integrity of the Schengen area. This
means supporting ‘a resilient and more stable Europe that protects’ and a competitive
European civil security industry sector. As the challenges are rapidly evolving, security
research can help to move from a reactive approach to security to a proactive
approach based on foresight and anticipation. Research and innovation will support
the implementation of the Security Union Strategy, the Counter-Terrorism Agenda, the
border management and security dimensions of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum,
EU Disaster Risk Reduction policies and the EU Maritime Security Strategy.
Cluster 3 activities will reduce losses from natural, accidental and man-made disasters
through enhanced disaster risk reduction based on preventive actions, better societal
preparedness and resilience, as well as better response and recovery. Activities will
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strengthen disaster risk management in a systemic way, including through cross-sectoral

solutions and multilevel governance. One objective is to enhance societal risk awareness,
and the individual capacity to be better prepared (including psychologically) and able
to respond to disasters. Cluster 3 activities will contribute to improved air, land and
sea border management for flows of people and flows of goods, notably by addressing
requirements identified by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and
by EU customs authorities. Activities will also address capability requirements for EU
maritime security. Cluster 3 activities will address prevention, investigation and mitigation
of impacts of criminal acts, including of new/emerging types. Deeper knowledge of
human and social aspects of relevant challenges, such as violent radicalisation, child
sexual exploitation, trafficking of human beings, corruption and cyber criminality,
including support to victims. Capabilities to analyse in near-real-time large volumes
of data to forestall criminal events, or to combat disinformation and fake news with
implications for security. Improved security of public spaces. Finally, cluster 3 activities
will improve security and resilience of basic societal functions such as healthcare, law
enforcement, energy, mobility, public services, financial services, communication and
logistics infrastructures and networks, so as to minimise societal disruptions.
CLUSTER 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) will support social inclusiveness and the
creation of sustainable, high-quality jobs including through social innovation. It will
contribute to establishing relevant conditions for empowering workers, consumers
and citizens to make sure they have access to these new technologies, as well as the
skills needed to thrive in this new context. Research and innovation will also support
Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS emergency and security services and contribute to a more
resilient space environment through Space Situational Awareness.
CLUSTER 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) will tackle the transition of the energy and
mobility sectors in a holistic approach, including with regard to their implications for
citizens and society. Given that transformation is embedded in broader societal needs
and hence depends crucially on the buy-in of citizens, cluster 5 aims at finding new and
better ways to involve Europe’s citizens in the low-carbon transition, including in cities,
and in the sustainable economy.
Finally, CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

will contribute to the development and monitoring of innovative governance models
enabling sustainability and resilience, through enhanced and shared use of new
knowledge, tools, foresight and environmental observations as well as digital, modelling
and forecasting capabilities. Furthermore, support for transdisciplinary research and
innovation will lead to a better understanding of the environmental, socio-economic and
demographic drivers of change as well as deployment of digital, social and community-
led innovations that will foster a sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of
rural, coastal and urban areas.
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EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS
European Partnerships are initiatives where the EU together with private and/or
public partners commit to jointly support the development and implementation of a
programme of research and innovation activities. They will play an important role in
achieving the EU’s strategic objectives of accelerating the twin transitions towards
a green, climate neutral, and digital Europe, while strengthening the resilience and
competitiveness of European industry, as expressed in the key strategic orientations.
Partnerships are also in a unique position to address complex challenges that require
an integrated approach, since they allow bringing together a broad range of actors
across the value chain and countries to work on the basis of a common vision and a
roadmap that is shared and committed to by all partners. Horizon Europe introduces
a more strategic, coherent and impact-driven approach to European Partnerships.
European Partnerships will be established only in cases where they will achieve
objectives of Horizon Europe more effectively than what can be achieved by other
activities of the Framework programme.
The following co-programmed and co-funded European Partnerships have been identified.8
They will appear in the work programmes of Horizon Europe, subject to fulfilment of the
selection criteria at the moment of the adoption of the work programmes. Otherwise the
priority will be addressed by traditional calls.
CO-FUNDED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS:
• European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals

• European Partnership for Fostering a European Research Area for Health Research
(ERA for Health)
• European Partnership for Transformation of Health Care Systems
• European Partnership for Personalised Medicine
• European Partnership for Rare Diseases
• European Partnership for One Health / Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• European Partnership for Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future
• European Partnership for Clean Energy Transition
• European Partnership for Accelerating Farming Systems Transition: Agroecology
living labs and research infrastructures
• European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare
• European Partnership for Agriculture of Data
• European Partnership for Rescuing Biodiversity to Safeguard Life on Earth
• European Partnership for a Climate Neutral, Sustainable and Productive Blue Economy
• European Partnership for Safe and Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet
and Climate
8
For more information, please refer to cluster-specific impact summaries. Note that the strategic plan, which needs to contain the identified co-programmed
and co-funded European Partnerships, is a Commission Decision subject to the comitology procedure, whereas Institutionalised Partnerships based on
Articles 185 and 187 TFEU follow the procedure for the legislative acts. However, for the sake of completeness, the cluster-specific impact summaries
includes also the Institutionalised Partnerships based on Articles 185 and 187 TFEU, distinguishing those that should be included in the strategic plan.
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• European Partnership Water4all: Water security for the planet

• European Partnership for Innovative SMEs
CO-PROGRAMMED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS:
• European Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics

• European Partnership for Photonics
• European Partnership Made in Europe
• European Partnership for Clean Steel - Low Carbon Steelmaking
• European Partnership Processes4Planet
• European Partnership for Globally Competitive Space Systems9
• European Partnership for Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
• European Partnership for Batteries: Towards a competitive European industrial
battery value chain
• European Partnership towards Zero-emission Road Transport (2ZERO)
• European Partnership for Zero-emission Waterborne Transport
• European Partnership for People-centric Sustainable Built Environment (Built4People)
• European Partnership for European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)
CO-FUNDED OR CO-PROGRAMMED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP:
• European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness
The European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness may be co-funded or co-programmed

as will eventually be reflected in the work programme.
9
The preparation of the European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems and its implementation modalities (including its objectives,
scope, governance, associated budget, the commitment and contributions from the private partners and the inclusiveness of actors involved)
and the related roadmaps and topics for the work programme will entail the full involvement of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee,
whereby it will be closely and timely involved in all steps of the process. Following the successful conclusion of the preparation of this European
Partnership, calls related to it will have an opening date not before 2022, subject to the adoption of the related work programme following the
opinion of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee, as the Horizon Europe Specific Programme foresees (see also Annex II, last sentence).
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MISSIONS
Based on the advice provided by the Mission Boards10, the following missions are
identified:
• Cancer
• Adaptation to Climate Change
• Ocean Seas and Waters
• Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
• Soil Health and Food
They will now enter into a preparatory phase during which detailed draft plans, including
objectives, budget and indicators, will be developed. Preparatory actions will also be
included in the Horizon Europe work programme, with potential for rapid scaling up after
the conclusion of the preparatory phase. The Programme Committee will be involved in
the preparation and life cycle of the missions, taking into account relevant issues from
the national context and opportunities to enhance alignment with activities on national
level. This will further support the coordination between the missions and other activities
in the work programme.
Reports delivered on 22 September 2020 and can be found here

10
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the relevance of global challenges and global
public goods and highlighted interdependence among ecosystems, countries and regions.
International cooperation for research and innovation has never been so urgently needed
for the EU to bounce forward and lead the green, digital and just transition. International
cooperation in research and innovation is a driver for ensuring world class science and
an enabler for broader socio-economic impacts.
International cooperation actions will be based on reciprocity, and respect for high EU
standards, values and principles. They will be designed to protect the EU’s interests, and
contribute to its sovereignty in strategic technology areas, critical infrastructures and
sustainable product policy, including products’ carbon and environmental footprint, and
the promotion of a global level playing field.
Horizon Europe’s approach to international cooperation will consist of multilateralism

and purposeful openness, combined with targeted actions with key third-country
partners. Association to the Framework Programme is the strongest form of
international cooperation and is expected to expand among the neighbourhood partners
and beyond, subject to the necessary conditions being met. For enlargement countries,
association provides an important opportunity to prepare for compliance with the EU
acquis on science, research and innovation and build research and innovation capacity
at national level.
Actions will focus on aligning national, European and global efforts and investments
in research and innovation areas that contribute towards achieving key European
Commission priorities, notably the Green Deal, the digital transition and making
Europe more resilient and stronger in the world, while also supporting Global Health
and innovation as a cross-cutting dimension. Dedicated actions of science diplomacy
will contribute towards delivering the objectives of EU external policy, including with
priority countries and regions. In this regard, international cooperation actions will
seek possible synergies with the EU external policy, especially to support higher
education and research capacities in specific third countries with a view to fostering
scientific excellence.
International cooperation will deploy along complementary directions:
• Collaborative research and innovation initiatives, including targeted

initiatives and projects with partners from key third countries and regions in
strategic areas of mutual benefit under all clusters, including the missions and the
European Partnerships.
21
• International mobility and cooperation in frontier research and support to

brain circulation and the internationalisation of EU innovative companies, in particular
through activities in Pillars I and III.
• EU participation and leadership in multilateral alliances, such as those related

to tackling climate change, to sustainable food and nutrition security, biodiversity
decline, environmental degradation, global health issues, e.g. antimicrobial resistance,
infectious diseases, and other threats to global health, gaining access to and sharing
research and observation data, and taking account of international collaboration
programmes between European countries and third countries.
• Policy dialogues with third countries and regions aiming at reinforcing at a

strategic level the cooperation in research and innovation, including by the promotion
of open science policies and the development of commonly accepted approaches
to research ethics and integrity, as well as safety and quality standards and the
life-cycle assessment of materials, the regulatory context of manufacturing, digital
technologies, and consumer products and services.
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BRIDGING BETWEEN THE

THREE PILLARS OF HORIZON
EUROPE
While the strategic plan applies primarily to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, effective links with Pillars
I and III, and the Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area part,will
ensure an integrated approach that enhances the effect of Horizon Europe overall.
Pillar I of Horizon Europe, while bottom-up in nature, will contribute scientific breakthroughs and
the research infrastructures needed to address societal challenges and develop key enabling
technologies at their earlier phases, as well as to nurturing a strong, resilient, flexible and
creative human resource base in research and innovation, with the right combination of skills
to match the future needs and tackle future challenges. The insights derived from projects in
Pillar I will thus feed into the evidence base for future programming in Horizon Europe.
To recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and be able to detect and quickly respond
to upcoming risks before they become crises, we will need highly skilled research-based human
capital that is resilient, able to detect and tackle future challenges, to communicate scientific
evidence to policy-makers and the public at large and to work across disciplines. This will
continue guiding Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) that fund, support and train the
talents and institutions behind research and innovation in a fully bottom-up and competition-
for-excellence-based manner. To enable bridging and cross-fertilisation, the Commission will
support with scientific evidence the orientations identified in the strategic plan for example
through clustering ex-post relevant MSCA projects around the four key strategic orientations.
Research Infrastructures will contribute to achieving the four key strategic orientations
through excellent state of the art services, knowledge, and tools to address societal challenges,
ensure evidence-based policymaking and help industry to strengthen its knowledge base and
technical know-how. Their use will be stimulated across the different pillars of Horizon Europe.
Through the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the European Data Infrastructure (EDI),
researchers involved in Horizon Europe activities will be able to access and process most of the
data generated and collected by Research Infrastructures.
The European Research Council (ERC) continues to provide long-term funding to ground-
breaking, high-gain/high-risk research that advances the frontiers of knowledge, strengthens
Europe’s scientific and technological bases as well as providing a benchmark to raise the
quality and attractiveness of European research overall. ERC grantees, chosen in a completely
bottom-up manner on the sole criterion of scientific excellence, have already made advances
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in new and emerging technological fields, including clean and digital technologies, as well as in
many other areas, also targeted by the key strategic orientations.
Under Pillar III, the European Innovation Council (EIC) is primarily bottom up but also
able to support strategic challenges. The identification of these strategic challenges will
take into account the priorities of the strategic plan, contributing notably to the European
recovery and resilience, by reinforcing EU technological sovereignty. The EIC Pathfinder for
Advanced Research of the EIC will support research into new and deep-tech areas in order to
develop the radical new technologies of the future needed for to enhance Europe’s innovative
capacities in a responsible way. The EIC Accelerator and the EU Innovation Ecosystems
will notably support SMEs and start-ups with high-impact innovations that are deemed
too financially risky for the market to invest alone, with a particular focus on deep-tech
and game-changing innovations. The EIC will make the link with the market, supporting the
strengthening of strategic supply chains, and in general the transfer of research results into
the economy and their faster scaling up in a way aligned with European values and needs,
through support to all types of innovation, including incremental and social innovation. The
insights derived from EIC funding, for example on emerging technologies and breakthrough
innovations, will feed into the evidence base for future programming in Pillar II. In addition,
private (co-)investments will also be actively promoted, in particular via the EIC Accelerator
for innovations stemming from Pillars I and II research projects.
European Innovation Ecosystems will act in complement and synergy with the EIC and EIT
and innovative activities across Horizon Europe and other EU funding programmes to improve
the overall ecosystem for innovation in Europe, including through the policy coordination
activities of the EIC Forum. Thus it will contribute to all four key strategic orientations of
Horizon Europe.
The European Institute of Technology (EIT) will contribute to achieving the four key
strategic orientations by complementing and reinforcing the expected impact of Horizon
Europe Pillar II actions, in particular when it comes to innovation, education and accelerating
and scaling up new businesses in a way aligned with European values and needs. Through
its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), EIT should provide a contribution to
Europe’s key priorities, in particular the new Green Deal and digital transitions. The leading
and coordinating role of EIT KICs in industrial alliances, e.g. EIT InnoEnergy in the European
Battery Alliance industrial development programme, will help Europe in moving to a position
of industrial frontrunner in the key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and
value chains and will contribute to making Europe the first digitally enabled, circular, climate
neutral and sustainable economy. In encouraging multi-actors approaches, and to be more
effective in achieving the impact, the innovation ecosystems already created and nurtured by
the EIT KICs can in particular contribute to building communities or platforms for coordination
and support actions, sharing knowledge or disseminating and fostering the exploitation of
project results. EIT will ensure that all four key strategic orientations are addressed through
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the activities of one or more thematic KIC and will complement the activities funded under
Pillar II, including the relevant missions and other European Partnerships, by supporting
demand-side measures and providing exploitation services to boost technology transfer and
accelerate the commercialisation of results achieved through Horizon Europe research and
innovation funded projects. To this end, pilots between the EIC and some KICs will be the
basis for a fully-fledged cooperation whose design and implementation will be driven by the
objective to serve the needs of EU innovators.
EIT KICs’ education programmes and training modules are developed in a way that
complements the research and innovation activities funded under Horizon Europe, so that
students, entrepreneurs, and the European workforce are trained and equipped with the skills
and competences suited for the future needs of European industries that are being modernised
and digitally transformed. The EIT also complements the efforts of the EIC in supporting SMEs
and fostering entrepreneurship with the goal of entering the commercial markets and help to
foster the maturity and access to European market of projects funded in Horizon Europe.
The Widening and ERA part will support the strategic priorities of the ERA and contribute to
the expected impacts of Horizon Europe by reducing the innovation divide and geographical
disparities in research and innovation performance and building the necessary capacity to
allow successful participation in the research and innovation process. As a result, it will help
leverage and align investments in research and innovation, improve access to excellence,
and translate research and innovation results into the economy, also by exploiting synergies
with Cohesion Policy Funds. The programme part will also help reinforce interactions between
science, society and education by strengthening the research dimension of the European
Universities, including within smart specialisation processes, bringing attention to the highest
standards of ethics and integrity and enabling citizens and society become co-producers of
scientific knowledge.
In addition, it will strengthen collaborative links across Europe and open up European
research and innovation networks, contribute to improving research management capacities
in the widening countries, support national policy reforms as well as exploit the potential
of the Union’s talent pool by targeted actions. Activities may also be established to foster
brain circulation across ERA through mobility of researchers and innovators, taking fully
into account current imbalances, and to create and develop networks of scholars, scientists,
researchers and innovators to put all their (intangible) assets to the service of the ERA and
by supporting the development of domain-specific science roadmaps.
The Joint Research Centre’s work programme on direct actions will contribute to the four
key strategic orientations for research and innovation by generating supporting knowledge
including through data and analysis to bridge the design of EU policies and the programming
of research and innovation investments, to maximise the objectives that are being targeted
by Horizon Europe.
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SPECIFIC ISSUES
A number of key specific issues will be taken into account in the implementation of
Horizon Europe 2021-2024, thus creating a sound foundation for the pursuit of the key
strategic orientations.
Gender equality and inclusiveness

Gender equality is a cross-cutting priority in Horizon Europe and concerns all programme
parts. Activities will aim at eliminating gender inequality and intersecting socio-economic
inequalities – including those based on disability, ethnicity, and LGBTIQ11 – throughout
research and innovation systems, including by addressing unconscious bias and systemic
structural barriers, and the integration of the gender dimension will be a requirement by
default in research and innovation content across the whole programme, unless its non-
relevance is duly justified. This integration is particularly relevant for global challenges
– including in areas such as health and care, also in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic,
online-violence, artificial intelligence and robotics, or climate change mitigation and
adaptation – in which sex and/or gender differences play an important role, and hence
determine the societal relevance and quality of research and innovation outcomes.
Social Sciences and Humanities

The effective integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH) in all clusters, including all
missions and partnerships, is a principle through the programme cycle. SSH are a key constituent
of research and innovation, especially regarding the twin green and digital transitions. This will
be reflected by flagging specific topics and/or requesting an assessment of their societal impact.
For these topics, SSH should be integrated from the drafting of the topic to the selection and
evaluation of projects by evaluators with demonstrable SSH expertise. In addition, the expected
societal impact must be explicitly set out in the topics, projects, deliverables and outputs.
Ethics and integrity

Research ethics and integrity are a prerequisite for research excellence and a critical
factor in achieving socially relevant impact. All projects funded by Horizon Europe will
respect the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and adhere to the ethics
principles and legislation, including when activities are conducted in a third country in
order to fight against Ethics Dumping. Horizon Europe will not fund practices that would
breach EU rules, even when implemented in a third country.
Horizon Europe will address the ethical dimension of new technologies, notably those
related to Artificial Intelligence and their potential societal impact as well as research
ethics in environmental protection to contribute to the work necessary to address the
challenges identified by the European Green Deal. This will enable a better understanding
of the different dimensions of research integrity, including behavioural aspects. Horizon
LGBTIQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-binary, Intersex, Queer and other diverse gender identities and sexual orientations
11
26
Europe will develop dedicated training and education material and operational procedures
for research institutions and ethics/integrity bodies, and explore the possibility to adapt
the assessment of researchers' performance and the evaluation of research institutions.
For the broad acceptance and support of science and research, a comprehensive societal
dialogue is indispensable. Horizon Europe will investigate, apply and evaluate ways
of communicating with the civil society about research and innovation, particularly
on objectives, priorities and the need of a European data space, on expectations and
concerns, and on consenting ways of participating in research.
Open science practices

Open Science is becoming the modus operandi for carrying out research and innovation
by sharing knowledge, data and tools as early as possible, in open collaboration with
all relevant knowledge actors and society. The practices of Open Science, following the
principle “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”, increase the quality and impact
of research and innovation and lead to greater responsiveness to societal challenges.
The ‘Strengthening the ERA’ part will support the adoption of Open Science practices
throughout the programme, for instance through exchange of good practices and tools,
development of guidance and training, implementation of institutional changes, and
consolidation of evidence on impacts.
Better interoperability and sharing of data will be a focus of several clusters, Partnerships
and missions, and the ‘Research infrastructures’ part and other parts will support the
development and consolidation of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), through a
dedicated Partnership. Horizon Europe will also support and promote the involvement of
citizens, civil society and end-users in public engagement, citizen science, and user-led
innovation modes of research and innovation. Citizens and end-users will therefore be
important contributors to research and innovation outcomes
USE OF COPERNICUS AND GALILEO DATA AND SERVICES

The European space flagship programmes Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS offer world-class,
high-quality earth observation data and positioning, navigation and timing services – open and
free of charge to users, citizens, companies and public authorities. Copernicus enhances the
monitoring of the atmosphere, marine, climate change, environment and natural disasters.
Advanced satellite positioning, navigation and timing services (Galileo/ EGNOS) are important
for numerous Horizon Europe domains– transport and mobility, energy, climate, environment,
digital, food, disaster risk management and emergency services. With its innovative, unique
features – authentication and high precision - Galileo has a great potential for the development
of new applications, such as connected and automated transport, smart mobility, traffic
management, precision farming and food tracking, timing and synchronisation of critical
infrastructures, improved emergency and disaster service and tracking pandemics.
27
Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data and services thus provide an important contribution
to all Horizon Europe key strategic orientations. The programme therefore strongly
encourages the use of Copernicus and Galileo/ EGNOS data and services, whenever earth
observation data, or positioning, navigation or timing services are used, so as to ensure
that research is of highest quality and makes the best use of the EU space infrastructure.
Other Commission programmes and initiatives that provide open access to data, in
areas such as life sciences, physical sciences, and marine sciences, e.g. the European
Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), can also provide valuable data to the
research and innovation activities supported by Horizon Europe.
Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E), including links to education and

training, market uptake and deployment
Horizon Europe will support dedicated activities to enhance dissemination, use and
valorisation of research and innovation results, to critically contribute to the four key
strategic orientations and increase impact on society at large. New discoveries and
knowledge generated by Horizon Europe will be integrated in higher education and
training activities, contributing to the education of the next generation of researchers
and enabling young graduates to bring state-of-the-art knowledge to workplaces across
society, notably through mobility between science, industry and society.
Horizon Europe will support and incentivise beneficiaries in their dissemination and exploitation
activities during and after their project lifetime through a set of integrated services, including
the Horizon Results Platform, the Horizon Results12 and ‘IP Booster’ services13, the Horizon
Impact Award, as well as through synergies with other EU programmes.
Horizon Europe also introduces novelties in the way project partners are encouraged to
disseminate and deploy research and innovation from the design of a project to beyond
its end. In particular, more emphasis will be given to third party uptake, notably through
private investment and the management and uptake of knowledge assets, including
intellectual property management.
Moreover, in order to facilitate the obligations of beneficiaries to report on their D&E

activities, simplified and more structured D&E reporting templates for Horizon Europe will
be introduced, in alignment with the Key Impact Pathway approach. Collecting more and
better quality D&E data will also be facilitated by pooling data from external sources and will
ensure that the Commission provides a rich and reliable source of linked open data.
Key Enabling Technologies

Key Enabling Technologies14 (KETs) are crucial for Europe’s competitiveness in strategic
value chains. Developing and mastering KETs can contribute towards giving EU industries
the competitive edge they need for industrial leadership in global markets and promise
12
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-results;programCode=H2020
13
https://ipbooster.meta-group.com/
14
The Key Enabling Technologies of the future include advanced materials and nanotechnology, photonics and micro- and nano-electronics, life
science technologies, advanced manufacturing and processing, artificial intelligence and digital security and connectivity.
28
breakthroughs to solving global challenges and achieving a circular, climate-neutral

and sustainable EU economy. All the clusters will develop and apply key enabling and
emerging technologies as part of the common strategy to promote the EU's industrial and
social leadership and clusters ‘Health’, ‘Digital, Industry and Space’, ‘Climate, Energy and
Mobility’ and ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ will spur
their development as general purpose technologies. Moreover, Pillar I of Horizon Europe,
‘Excellent Science’, while bottom-up in nature, will contribute to scientific breakthroughs and
the research infrastructures needed to develop KETs at their earlier phases, while Pillar III,
‘Innovative Europe’, will support breakthrough innovations based on KETs.
Social Innovation
Innovations originate from many sources. They stem not only from advances in science
and technology, but also from creative uses of existing knowledge and technologies
as well as inventiveness in the non-technical and social spheres. They combine new
technological capabilities with new organisational or social practices. Social innovations
help answer societal and environmental challenges, connecting society with innovation
throughout the innovation life cycle in many fields (health, food, environmental, economic,
digital, accessibility, cultural, sovereignty, and democracy).
Horizon Europe will support social innovations across the four key strategic orientations
by empowering citizens, consumers, social partners, communities and businesses to solve
the problems that they face, creating new value, ushering in novel social practices, in
particular in the areas of climate, environmental protection, habitat, energy and mobility.
EU Taxonomy
The adoption of the EU Taxonomy Regulation in June 202015 defines the framework to create
the world's first-ever “green list” – a clear and common classification system defining under
which conditions economic activities in a given sector can be considered as environmentally
sustainable. The Taxonomy will provide a common language that investors, industry and
researchers can use to target projects and economic activities that have a substantial positive
impact on the environment. The EU Taxonomy also addresses the application of the ‘Do No
Significant Harm’ principle16, a fundamental principle for public recovery investments related
to the European Green Deal. More generally the EU Taxonomy should guide all investments in
Europe’s recovery to ensure they are in line with our long-term ambitions. The EU Taxonomy
will significantly contribute to the European Green Deal by boosting private sector investment in
green and sustainable projects17. It will allow objective and transparent definition of sustainable
investment portfolios. The Platform on Sustainable Finance, which includes stakeholders from
industry, civil society and academia, will contribute to ensuring that the scientific community is
informed about and involved in the development of the EU Taxonomy whenever appropriate.
The EU Taxonomy will also be piloted in close-to-market research and innovation projects
supporting the European Green Deal with a view to facilitate follow-up investment by green
investors and accelerate market deployment of their technologies, products, and/or solutions.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32020R0852
15
Article 17 of the EU Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852

16
in relation to six different environmental objectives Climate change mitigation; climate change adaptation; sustainable and protection of water and
17
marine resources; transition to a circular economy; pollution prevention and control; protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems
29
BACKGROUND & FRAMEWORK

The methodological approach retained aims at ensuring EU policy priorities are supported
through research and innovation programming, and at highlighting the different possible
contributions of Horizon Europe investments to the ecological and digital transitions,
their social dimensions and Europe’s resilient recovery after the crisis.
A sound linkage between science, innovation and policy making for evidence-based policy
design, and a multi-actor approach will foster the effective uptake, use, dissemination
and deployment of research and innovation results to achieve the expected societal,
economic and scientific expected impacts. As highlighted by the crisis caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, scientific advice based on sound and independent evidence, is
needed to inform policy- and decision-making in all areas. In doing so scientific advice
contributes to the better regulation agenda of the Commission, and increasing trust in
and acceptance of policy and legislation by the public.
The approach aim at giving directionality to Horizon Europe, promote larger synergies
with other EU funding programmes and national priorities, and provide inspiration
to European civil society efforts, contributing to trust in science and technology and
promoting entrepreneurship, ultimately aiming at wider, deeper and faster societal impact
of research. In addition, this will be reinforced by the monitoring of the effectiveness of
EU research and innovation investments in contributing to the key scientific, societal and
economic impacts set out for the first four years of the Framework Programme.
The orientations for research and innovation aims at indicating the different expected
pathways for EU research and innovation investments to deliver on the EU policy
priorities, such as the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU
Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Farm to Fork Strategy the European data strategy,
the European Hydrogen Strategy and the New Industrial Strategy for Europe. This is
expected to provide bridges among the different pillars and parts of Horizon Europe,
and ensure the future-orientation and adaptability of work programmes. This approach
will enable to inform as well on the research and innovation contribution to the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially taking into consideration co-benefits
and trade-offs among them. It will enlarge the range of participants and also reinforce
research and innovation relevance.
The expected impacts for Pillar II were co-designed between Commission services,
Member States, the European Parliament and European stakeholders to bridge the
intervention areas set out by Horizon Europe legal basis with societal expectations.
They offer an objective oriented narrative that will underpin the preparation of the
relevant work programmes to be adopted during the period covered (2021-2024), and
30
contribute to deploy the intervention logic, and monitoring at project level. Each expected
impact will be deployed in the work programmes relevant parts, to cover the different
dimensions (creation of knowledge, technology and social innovation) of research and
innovation needed to achieve the objectives.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC)’s work programme on direct actions will support European
policy priorities and recovery actions. It will contribute to the key strategic orientations
for research and innovation by generating supporting knowledge and strengthening the
expected impacts. A specific contribution of the JRC will be through data and analysis
to bridge the design of EU policies and the programming of research and innovation
investments, to maximise the impacts that are being targeted by Horizon Europe. The
JRC’s work programme will indicate to which key strategic orientations and impacts its
projects will contribute.
In addition, the European Partnerships and the missions have adopted an impact-
oriented programming, consistently with the key strategic orientations.
EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS
The Commission carried out an extensive co-creation exercise to identify the priorities
for European Partnerships. Besides all Services, Member States and stakeholders have
been involved as part of the Horizon Europe strategic planning. In summer 2019, the
Commission identified an initial set of 44 candidates for European Partnerships18. The
co-design exercise confirmed that these candidates are relevant for addressing with
a partnership approach. Four new candidates for European Partnerships have been
included to the portfolio as a result of the strategic coordinating process (One Health
AMR, Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future and Communities and Zero-
emission Waterborne Transport, Pandemic Preparedness). Furthermore, the Commission
proposal for the Strategic Innovation Agenda for the EIT includes a proposal for a future
EIT-KIC on Cultural and Creative Industries. With this, the portfolio of Co-funded, Co-
programmed and Institutionalised European Partnerships includes 49 candidates.
MISSIONS
In July 2019 the Commission created Mission Boards to advise the Commission on
potential missions, based on the five mission areas set out in Annex 5a of the Horizon
Europe draft Regulation/Rules for Participation. These are: Mission Area 1: Adaptation to
Climate Change, including Societal Transformation; Mission Area 2: Cancer; Mission Area
3: Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters; Mission Area 4: Climate-Neutral and
Smart Cities; Mission Area 5: Soil Health and Food.
18
Taking into account for the Institutionalised European Partnerships (based on Articles 185 and 187 TFEU) the eight areas identified in the draft
FP/RfP Horizon Europe Regulation.
31
The Mission Boards consulted very widely, including a dialogue with specially created
expert groups, one for each of the Mission Areas, of the ‘shadow’ Strategic Configuration
of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee. The European Parliament was kept well
informed, in particular through meetings between the Commission and members of the
ITRE committee, public meetings of different groups at the European Parliament at which
Mission Board members were present and other contacts between MEPs and Mission
Board members. Studies and foresight exercises organised for the Mission Boards also
were used as sources of inputs to their reflections.
The Mission Boards took in to account the view of stakeholders and citizens through
a separate exercise of Citizens Engagement in 10 online meetings in Member States.
Based on the advice of the Mission Boards, the Commission will prepare specific missions
which are identified in this document. In a first preparatory phase of maximum 12
months, the Commission will develop an implementation plan for the five missions. This
is meant to provide more detail on the objectives, the scope and the intervention logic
of the missions, and to reflect any relevant contributions from other EU instruments and
policies and at national level.
32
CLUSTER IMPACT SUMMARY
Cluster 1
HEALTH
33
The promotion of social cohesion and inclusiveness and the health and well-being of
its people are central aims of the European Union’s policies and programmes. With the
European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU set the direction towards a fairer, inclusive
and more social Europe for all European citizens based on a European social model that
is fit for the challenges of the 21st century, also providing people with equal opportunities.
Further efforts should be devoted to developing an economy that works for people by
supporting Member States in making innovative high-quality health technologies and health
care both available and affordable for citizens as well as to rendering health care systems
more accessible and sustainable, including through the digital transformation of health and
care. On the one hand, this entails that citizens can rely on effective health care services that
address their medical needs and reduce the burden on them, their families and communities;
on the other hand, people should be assisted in promoting their own health and preventing
diseases. The EU4Health programme aims to support the EU in remaining the healthiest
region in the world, by making tools available to address health challenges at national
and EU level including new emerging health threats. To achieve maximum public health
impact, Horizon Europe and EU4Health will strive for maximum synergies: Horizon Europe
will focus on creating new knowledge and know-how, while the EU4Health programme
will focus on making the best possible use of this new knowledge and know-how for the
benefit of citizens and health systems. In particular, Europe's Beating Cancer Action Plan
will support Member States in improving cancer prevention, control and care, with Horizon
Europe’s mission on cancer complementing activities funded by EU4Health. The COVID-19
crisis underlined that supporting cooperation and coordination among the Member States at
Union level is essential to improve prevention, to quickly respond to and contain the spread of
epidemic outbreaks across borders, to strengthen immunisation against vaccine-preventable
diseases, to control other cross-border health threats and risk factors, and to safeguard the
health and well-being of people in the Union. This includes, as part of the European Green
Deal, to take a One Health approach in tackling the impact of environmental degradation,
pollution, biodiversity loss, zoonotic diseases and climate change on citizens’ health and well-
being as well as on health care systems and their ability to adapt rapidly to changing health
care needs and conditions, due to global changes. Unleashing the full potential of digital tools
and data-enabled research and innovation, based on coherent and accurate health data,
will be crucial for making Europe fit for the digital age and increasing productivity and
supporting sustainability of health-related industry and SMEs in the EU, including the related
convergence of pharmaceutical, digital and medical technologies. This will also underpin
the digital transformation of health and care supported by data-driven manufacturing of
tailor-made products and mainstreaming of personalised health care services, resulting in
significant gains in health outcomes and health economies by a ‘Triple Aim’ approach19.
Research and innovation actions under this cluster will be key to address these health-related
challenges by advancing knowledge and capabilities, improving our understanding of health and
diseases, developing innovative methodological and technological solutions to better manage
health and diseases, and designing sustainable approaches for the digital transformation and
19
Triple Aim refers to the following three aims: i) improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), ii) improving the health
of populations, and iii) reducing the per capita cost of health care.
34
delivery of integrated, person-centred and equitable health and care services with improved
accessibility and health outcomes supported by needs-driven innovation and reliable supply
chains in Europe. However, it will also depend on the ‘actors on the ground’ – those receiving,
supporting and delivering health and care services in local communities, regions and countries
– to accept, support, take-up, scale-up and implement the recommendations and innovative
solutions developed through research and innovation to achieve desired impacts. Research
and innovation actions supported under this cluster should therefore mobilise researchers
from academic institutions, research organisations, small and medium enterprises, and large
companies, as well as citizens and patients, patients’ associations, health professionals,
providers of health and care services, and regulatory instances. To maximise the benefits of EU
investments and support the EU in achieving its goals, the cluster health will promote and foster
synergies with public health policies at national and regional level, with other EU programmes
and policies, as well as with health-related European infrastructures.
HOW WILL CLUSTER 1 OF HORIZON EUROPE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
1. Expected impacts of cluster 1

Cluster 1 will programme investments to achieve the following six expected impacts:
1. Staying healthy in a rapidly changing society: Citizens of all ages stay healthy and
independent in a rapidly changing society thanks to healthier lifestyles and behaviours,
healthier diets, healthier environments, improved evidence-based health policies, and more
effective solutions for health promotion and disease prevention.
Research and innovation can provide a better understanding of specific health and care
needs throughout the life course, including age-specific and sex/gender-specific needs as
well as special needs of vulnerable population groups, and develop more effective solutions
for health promotion and disease prevention, including for needs related to chronic health
conditions, physical disabilities, mental disorders and disabilities, or age-related impairments.
Research and innovation can help people, as well as communities, in developing innovative
services, policies, guidelines and digital solutions, also ensuring that they are accessible,
equitable and effective in preventing disease and promoting health. Furthermore, research
and innovation can provide new evidences, methodologies and tools for increasing health
literacy, improving adoption of healthy lifestyles and behaviours that prevent diseases and
promote health, and empowering citizens to manage their health, including children and
adolescents. Key to achieving these objectives is the availability and accessibility of real-
world health data, which will require appropriate support by research and data infrastructures.
2. Living and working in a health-promoting environment: Living and working environments

are health-promoting and sustainable thanks to better understanding of environmental,
occupational, social and economic determinants of health.
35
Research and innovation will produce new evidences, methodologies, and tools necessary
to understand, identify and assess the risks and benefits for health, and to enable health
promoting and disease preventive policy actions. Results will support the EU’s environment
and health policies and overarching policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal, the
future 8th Environment Action Programme, the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety
at Work and the European Environment and Health Process (EHP). The outcome will also
contribute to the development of new and improved health interventions and technologies.
In order to achieve sustainable impacts, research and innovation must provide solid evidence
and stimulate its uptake into a large number of environmental, occupational, social, economic,
fiscal and health policies at the EU, national and regional level. Strong collaborations across
sectors and with other Horizon Europe clusters dealing with issues such as “one health”,
agriculture, food, environment, climate, mobility, security, urban planning, social inclusion and
gender will be needed to ensure that maximal societal benefits will be reached. Likewise,
international cooperation, including at science-policy level, will be key to drive forward research
and innovation to tackle this challenge.
3. Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden: Health care providers are able to better
tackle and manage diseases (infectious diseases, including poverty-related and neglected
diseases, non-communicable and rare diseases) and reduce the disease burden on patients
effectively thanks to better understanding and treatment of diseases, more effective and
innovative health technologies, better ability and preparedness to manage epidemic outbreaks
and improved patient safety.
There is an urgent need for research and innovation on new prevention, public health
interventions, diagnostics, vaccines, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies,
new antibiotics and alternatives to, antibiotics, as well as to improve existing prevention
strategies to create tangible impacts, taking into account sex/gender-related issues
and patient safety issues. To quickly advance research and innovation on these issues,
international cooperation could be an opportunity to pool the best expertise and know-how
available worldwide, to access world-class research infrastructures and to leverage critical
scales of investments on priority needs through better alignment with other funders of
international health research and innovation cooperation. The continuation of international
partnerships and cooperation with international organisations is particularly needed to
combat infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistances and emerging epidemics and
pandemics, to respond to major unmet needs for global health security, including the global
burden of non-communicable diseases.
4. Ensuring access to innovative, sustainable and high-quality health care: Health care
systems provide equal access to innovative, sustainable and high-quality health care
thanks to the development and uptake of safe, cost-effective and people-centred
solutions, with a focus on population health, health systems resilience, as well as
improved evidence-based health policies.
36
Research and innovation can help by supporting the development of innovative solutions for
health care systems in all their various dimensions (e.g. governance and financing, resilience
and preparedness for health emergencies and climate changes, education and training of
the health workforce, health service provision and sustainability, interaction with patients and
patient empowerment) and for policy-making (health in all policies). In addition, research and
innovation can provide decision-makers with new evidence, methods and tools to implement
successfully those innovative solutions into their health care systems. It will deliver solutions
that are scalable and transferrable between different types of health care systems in different
countries and provide knowledge supporting the transfer of solutions between countries. In
turn this will help to improve the governance and resilience of health care systems as well as
to allocate resources according to people’s needs and preferences while delivering fiscal and
environmental sustainability to make sure those needs can be met in the long-term.
5. Unlocking the full potential of new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy
society: Health technologies, new tools and digital solutions are applied effectively thanks to
their inclusive, secure and ethical development, delivery, integration and deployment in health
policies and health and care systems.
Research and innovation are needed on the large spectrum of tools and technologies for bio-
medical research, prevention, diagnosis, therapy and monitoring. Managing benefits and risks
of new technologies and due consideration of aspects of safety, effectiveness, inter-operability,
appropriateness, accessibility, comparative value-added, affordability and sustainability
(environmental, fiscal, socio-economic) and issues of ethical, societal, regulatory and legal
nature will be crucial in order to boost the acceptability of these novelties and to translate
these innovations into health policies, health and care systems, and clinical practice responsibly.
Moreover, to provide high-quality health care and reduce health inequalities, end users’
engagement in multidisciplinary, cross-sectorial cooperation with key stakeholders (patients,
health care providers and workforce, researchers, regulatory bodies, policy-makers, funders)
could help addressing specific unmet needs for health tools, technologies and digital solutions
with limited commercial interest but also designing and developing suitable health products and
services tailored to needs of specific population groups including needs related to sex/gender
or other aspects. Artificial Intelligence technologies have recently shown great promise for
analysing high volumes of health data, with high potential for advancing biomedical research,
personalised medicine and health care and for supporting health care systems in their clinical,
organisational and logistical functions provided that relevant and consistent health data of high
quality is available and accessible.
6. Maintaining an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health-related industry:

EU health industry is innovative, sustainable and globally competitive thanks to improved
up-take of breakthrough technologies and innovations, which makes the EU with its
Member States more resilient and less dependent from imports with regard to the
access to and supply of critical health technologies.
37
There is a convergence and a need for cross-sectorial research and innovation (integrating
medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies, digital health and eHealth
technologies) to strengthen the single market, including by implementing the Digital
Single Market strategy, supporting the standardisation policy, driving innovation from
the demand side and providing evidence and guidelines for stakeholders and regulators
to ensure take-up of innovations supports sustainability (environmental, fiscal, socio-
economic) while fostering access and reducing health inequalities. The health sector is
subjected to strict regulatory requirements that impose the demonstration of clinical
benefit(s) and safety. This means additional development steps, uncertainties and a
longer time to market. Support to studies for health assessment procedures, clinical
performance demonstration, quality assurance schemes and standardisation are
therefore important elements. Research and innovation is needed to develop new cross-
sectorial business models where health-related industry cooperates early with health
care systems in the development of value-added products and services to enable an
optimal uptake and deployment of innovative solutions as well as to achieve the triple
aim of improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction),
improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
Cluster 1 will support in particular the following two Horizon Europe key strategic orientations and
impact areas associated to them20
KEY KSO A: Promoting an open KSO D: Creating a more resilient,

STRATEGIC strategic autonomy by leading the inclusive and democratic
ORIENTATIONS development of key digital, enabling European society
FOR R&I and emerging technologies, sectors
and value chains
IMPACT Competitive and secure data-economy A resilient EU prepared for

AREAS emerging threats
High quality digital services for all
Good health and high-quality
accessible healthcare
EXPECTED 5. Unlocking the full potential of new 1. Staying healthy in a rapidly

IMPACTS tools, technologies and digital changing society
solutions for a healthy society
2. Living and working in a health-
6. Maintaining an innovative, promoting environment
sustainable and globally
competitive health-related industry 3. Tackling diseases and reducing
their burden
4. Ensuring access to innovative,

sustainable & high-quality health care
20
While the figure shows the cluster’s contribution to key strategic orientations A and D and corresponding impact areas, it should be noted that
the cluster will also contribute to other key strategic orientations and impact areas not depicted in the figure.
38
Table 1 Overview of R&I expected impacts, cluster intervention areas, and Horizon Europe partnerships
EXPECTED IMPACT1 INTERVENTION AREAS EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS

COVERED
1. Staying healthy in a rapidly 1.2.1. Health throughout the Life
changing society (…) Course
1.2.2. Environmental and Social
Health Determinants
2. Living and working in a health- 1.2.2. Environmental and Social Partnership on Risk Assessment
promoting environment (…) Health Determinants of Chemicals
1.2.1. Health throughout the Life
Course
3. Tackling diseases and reducing 1.2.3. Non-Communicable and EU-Africa Global Health
disease burden (…) Rare Diseases Partnership2
1.2.4. Infectious Diseases, Rare Diseases
including poverty-related and One Health AMR
neglected diseases Fostering a European Research
Area for Health Research (ERA
for Health)
4. Ensuring access to innovative, 1.2.6. Health Care Systems Transformation of Health Care
sustainable and high-quality systems
health care (…) Pandemic Preparedness
5. Unlocking the full potential of 1.2.5. Tools, Technologies and Personalised Medicine
new tools, technologies and Digital Solutions for Health and
digital solutions for a healthy Care, including personalised
society (…) medicine
6. Maintaining an innovative, 1.2.5. Tools, Technologies and Health Innovation Partnership
sustainable and globally Digital Solutions for Health and (Innovative Health Initiative)2
competitive health-related Care, including personalised
industry (…) medicine
1.2.6. Health Care Systems
1
In the table, partnerships are indicated for one impact even if some of them contribute to several ones.
2
Candidate Institutionalised European Partnership based on Article 187 TFEU that requires the preparation and adoption of a Commission
proposal for Council Decision.
2. International cooperation
The EU is a major leader in research and innovation for developing health technologies,
improving health services or adapting health systems that promote health and well-
being and prevent, treat and cure diseases in Europe and worldwide. In order to achieve
the greatest impact and benefits for the health and well-being of its population and living
up to its leadership role, international cooperation and partnerships with third countries
and other international partners are key for tapping the best expertise and know-how
available worldwide, for leveraging a critical scale of resources, and for tackling global
health risks and societal challenges. Infectious diseases outbreaks and the spread of
39
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) do not follow geographical borders, environmental factors

in an urban or rural context create similar exposure and occurrences in different regions,
and demographic changes due to societal segregation (urbanisation) and ageing as well
as the challenges of data are not European challenges only.
Horizon Europe’s cluster health will remain an essential vehicle to realise and contribute to
the EU’s international commitments on global health, notably the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) on Health and Well-being for All, including its targets on global
maternal, new-born and child mortality, its pollution-related morbidity and mortality targets,
its neglected disease burden as well as the objectives and targets of WHO action plans and
programmes of action. It will also be important that the cluster health can react swiftly and
decisively to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by WHO and
support urgently needed research. The cluster can also contribute to increased preparedness
and response of health systems, including in fragile or low-resourced settings. Seeking
complementarities and synergies with the EU’s external cooperation and humanitarian policies
and programmes will not only reinforce the links between research and implementation and
support evidence-based policy-making but in particular amplify the uptake and deployment of
research and innovation results and solutions and thus the impact of EU investments.
Main areas for international cooperation and activities to be aligned with R&I of third countries/
regions at major scale or to be carried out in cooperation with organisations in third countries:
• Infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistances and public health emergencies

through dedicated actions and multilateral initiatives, including One Health approaches,
such as the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP), the
Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), the Global Research Collaboration
for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) to prepare and respond quickly to public
health emergencies in Europe and worldwide, and the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)
Accelerator to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to new
COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
• Global Health, in particular through cooperation with the World Health Organisation
(WHO), other international organisations and global health actors, and low- and
middle income countries.
• Personalised medicine, through dedicated actions and multilateral initiatives, such

as the International Consortium for Personalised Medicine (ICPerMed), the 1 Million
Genomes Initiative or the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC).
• Chronic diseases, through dedicated actions and multilateral initiatives, such as

the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) and the International Rare Diseases
Research Consortium (IRDiRC).
40
• Cohorts-based clinical studies of health and diseases, through common

approaches, and protocols.
• Brain and Mental Health, through dedicated actions and multilateral initiatives,
such as the International Initiative for Traumatic Brain Injury Research (InTBiR).
• Impact of the environment on human health, through dedicated research actions

on the exposome and human biomonitoring, including through cooperation with
the WHO-Europe Environment and Health process.
• Improving access, sustainability and quality of health care in low- and middle-
income countries (LMICs), in particular in Africa, through implementation research.
• US participants of projects funded under the health cluster will continue to

be eligible for funding, in response to the openness of the USA National Institutes of
Health (NIH) programme to European researchers.
3. Cross-cluster complementarities
Table 2 Overview of Cross Cluster Complementarities
NUMBER AND RELEVANT EXPECTED IMPACT OF POSSIBLE

NAME OF CLUSTER THE CLUSTER DESCRIBED LEFT COMPLEMENTARITIES
2. CULTURE, 9. Social and economic resilience Expected impact 1 ‘Staying healthy

CREATIVITY and sustainability are strengthened in a rapidly changing society’:
AND INCLUSIVE through a better understanding Synergies on health inequalities,
SOCIETY of the social, ethical, political and on other inequalities affecting
economic impacts of drivers of change health, or on citizens’ behaviour and
(such as technology, globalisation, engagement.
demographics, mobility and migration)
and their interplay. Expected impact 4 ‘Ensuring
access to innovative, sustainable
10. Inclusive growth is boosted and and high-quality health care’:
vulnerabilities are reduced effectively Synergies on health economics
through evidence-based policies for and economic models, on cost-
protecting and enhancing employment, effectiveness, fiscal sustainability
education, social fairness and tackling and accessibility of healthcare, or on
inequalities, including in response to adaptation of public health systems
the socio-economic challenges due to to societal challenges (climate
the COVID-19 pandemic. change, environmental degradation,
migration, demographic change,
emerging epidemics and One Health
AMR) thereby contributing to building
resilience.
41
3. CIVIL 11. Losses from natural, accidental Expected impact 3 ‘Tackling

SECURITY FOR and man-made disasters are reduced diseases and reducing disease
SOCIETY through enhanced disaster risk burden’: Synergies on health security/
reduction based on preventive actions, emergencies (preparedness and
better societal preparedness, and response, medical counter measures,
resilience, and improved disaster risk epidemic outbreaks/pandemics, One
management in a systemic way. Health AMR, natural disasters and
technological incidents, bioterrorism).
13. Crime and terrorism are more
effectively tackled, while respecting Expected impact 4 ‘Ensuring access
fundamental rights, and resilience to innovative, sustainable and high-
and autonomy of physical and digital quality health care’: Synergies on
infrastructures are enhanced and security of health care infrastructures,
vital societal functions are ensured, incl. digital health infrastructures,
thanks to more powerful prevention, health systems preparedness and
preparedness and response, a better response to disasters and other
understanding of related human, emergencies, and quality and safety of
societal and technological aspects, medicine (counterfeit and substandard
and the development of cutting-edge medicine, illicit drugs, One Health AMR).
capabilities for law enforcement
agencies and infrastructure operators,
including measures against cybercrime.
14. Increased cybersecurity and a

more secure online environment
by developing and using effectively
EU and Member States’ capabilities
in digital technologies supporting
protection of data and networks
aspiring to technological sovereignty
in this field, while respecting privacy
and other fundamental rights; this
should contribute to secure services,
processes and products, as well as to
robust digital infrastructures capable
to resist and counter cyber-attacks
and hybrid threats.
4. DIGITAL, 16. Industrial leadership and increased Expected impact 1 ‘Staying

INDUSTRY AND autonomy in key strategic value chains healthy in a rapidly changing
SPACE with security of supply in raw materials, society’: Synergies on digital tools,
achieved through breakthrough telemedicine or smart homes.
technologies in areas of industrial
alliances, dynamic industrial innovation Expected impact 2 ‘Living and working
ecosystems and advanced solutions in a health-promoting environment’:
for substitution, resource and energy Synergies on health-related space
efficiency, effective reuse and recycling research and innovation for location-
and clean primary production of raw based services, geo-observation and
materials, including critical raw materials monitoring (e.g. of pollution); on health
and leadership in circular economy. impact assessment (e.g. of biodiversity
42
17. Globally attractive, secure and loss, infrastructures, urban planning,

dynamic data-agile economy by transport technologies, chemicals and
developing and enabling the uptake other substances, incl. pollution and
of the next-generation computing and One Health AMR).
data technologies and infrastructures
(including space infrastructure and Expected impact 3 ‘Tackling
data), enabling the European single diseases and reducing disease burden’:
market for data with the corresponding Synergies on decision-support systems
data spaces and a trustworthy artificial or on geo-observation and monitoring
intelligence ecosystem. (e.g. of disease vectors, epidemics).
Expected impact 4 ‘Ensuring access to

innovative, sustainable and high-quality
health care’: Synergies on cybersecurity
of (public) health systems, products and
infrastructures of digitalised health and
care, or on health impact assessment
(e.g. related to consumer products,
working place innovation).
20. A human-centred and ethical Expected impact 5 ‘Unlocking the full

development of digital and industrial potential of new tools, technologies and
technologies, through a two-way digital solutions for a healthy society’:
engagement in the development of Synergies on digitalisation of the health
technologies, empowering end-users sector, incl. health technologies, medical
and workers, and supporting social devices and key enabling technologies;
innovation. assisted, autonomous, independent
and empowered living; smart homes;
decision support systems; health impact
assessment (e.g. related to consumer
products, working place innovation).
Expected impact 6 ‘Maintaining

an innovative, sustainable and
globally competitive health industry’:
Synergies on industrial research and
innovation infrastructures (pilot plants,
testing and simulation facilities,
open innovation hubs); additive
manufacturing (3D/4D printing) and
other production technologies (incl.
bio manufacturing); safe, smart and
sustainable materials.
5. CLIMATE, 21. Transition to a climate-neutral and Expected impact 1 ‘Staying healthy

ENERGY AND resilient society and economy enabled in a rapidly changing society’:
MOBILITY through advanced climate science, Synergies on urban health or on
pathways and responses to climate mitigating the impact of road traffic
change (mitigation and adaptation) accidents and related injuries.
and behavioural transformations.
43
25. Towards climate-neutral and Expected impact 2 ‘Living and working

environmental friendly mobility in a health-promoting environment’:
through clean solutions across all Synergies on the surveillance, prediction
transport modes while increasing and mitigation of the health impact of
global competitiveness of the EU climate change, on the health impact of
transport sector. transport-related environmental pollution
(such as air and noise pollution), on
transport and mobility related risks on
health, or on concepts/technologies for
smart and healthy homes, rural areas
and cities; on health impact assessment
(e.g. of infrastructure, urban planning,
transport, technologies, chemicals and
other substances, incl. pollution) and
on preventable environmental causes
of diseases.
6. FOOD, 29. Sustainable and circular Expected impact 1 ‘Staying healthy in

BIOECONOMY, management and use of natural a rapidly changing society’: Synergies
NATURAL resources as well as prevention and on role of nutrition for health (incl.
RESOURCES, removal of pollution are mainstreamed, human microbiome, mal- and over-
AGRICULTURE & unlocking the potential of the bio- nutrition, safe food), personalised
ENVIRONMENT economy, ensuring competitiveness, diets (incl. food habits in general and
and guaranteeing healthy soil, air, childhood obesity in particular) and the
fresh and marine water for all, through impact of food-related environmental
better understanding of planetary stressors on human health (incl.
boundaries and deployment of innovative marketing and consumer habits).
technologies and other solutions, notably
in primary production, forestry and bio- Expected impact 2 ‘Living and working
based systems. in a health-promoting environment’:
Synergies on human biomonitoring, on
30. Food and nutrition security for all healthy ecosystems and human habitats
within planetary boundaries is ensured (incl. nature-based solutions for health
through knowledge, innovations and and well-being), on the sustainable
digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, management of clean water, soil, air,
aquaculture and food systems, which are and biodiversity; on health impact
sustainable, resilient, inclusive, safe and assessment (e.g. of infrastructure,
healthy from farm to fork. urban planning, transport, technologies,
chemicals and other substances,
31. Rural, coastal, and urban areas are incl. pollution); and on preventable
developed in a sustainable, balanced environmental causes of diseases.
and inclusive manner thanks to a better
understanding of the environmental, Expected impact 3 ‘Tackling diseases
behavioural, socio-economic and and reducing disease burden’:
demographic drivers of change as well Synergies on health security, One
as deployment of digital, social and Health AMR (one health approach
community-led innovations. across human, animal/plant, soil/
water health), biodiscovery and
biotechnology, personalised diets to
reducing the burden of diseases.
44
Cluster 2
CULTURE, CREATIVITY &
INCLUSIVE SOCIETY
45
The EU stands for a unique way of combining economic growth with high levels of
social protection and inclusion, shared values including democracy, human rights, gender
equality and the richness of diversity. This model is constantly evolving and challenged
by exogenous as well as endogenous factors such as, inter alia, demographic trends,
globalisation and technological change.
Activities in Cluster Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society focus on challenges

pertaining to democratic governance, cultural heritage and the creative economy,
as well as social and economic transformations. The challenges are interconnected
and reflect the most pressing social, political, economic and cultural concerns and
expectations of European citizens. They provide a clear picture of what benefits
citizens and different stakeholders can expect from research and innovation actions
supported under this cluster.
Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society will enable decision makers to meet
challenges, as well as to adopt new paradigms and policies for change in a context
of fast-paced transformations, transitions and international interconnectedness.
Although the challenges are great, so too are the opportunities to turn these
into strengths through European cohesion, inclusiveness, accessibility, convergence,
diversity and creativity across all areas of the economy, society, culture
and governance.
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, cluster 2 will address
EU priorities that give a new push to European democracy; support an economy that
works for people; the European Green Deal; make Europe fit for the digital age; protect
our European way of life; make Europe Stronger in the World; better manage migration
and mobility; protect our cultural heritage and stimulate creativity. The Cluster will also
address the unprecedented societal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and will
mobilise European social sciences and humanities research for providing evidence bases
that enable policies helping recovery and enhancing resilience and responsiveness in
case of future crises.

Cluster 2 will program investments to achieve the following impacts:
7. Democratic governance is reinvigorated by improving the accountability, transparency,

effectiveness and trustworthiness of rule-of-law based institutions and policies, and
through the expansion of active and inclusive citizenship empowered by the safeguarding
of fundamental rights.
46
The aim of the research investments is to develop innovations, policies and policy
recommendations, as well as institutional frameworks that expand political participation,
social dialogue, civic engagement and equality, including gender equality, and help fight
discrimination and racism. Activities will also enhance transparency, the effectiveness
of public policy-making, accountability and legitimacy. They will equally improve trust
in democratic institutions, media, safeguard liberties and the rule of law, and protect
democracy from multidimensional threats, including disinformation. Rich empirical
analyses, put in cultural and historical perspectives, in combination with theoretical
rigour, experimentation and normative reflection will set the frame for soundly
understanding present developments and help the mapping of future pathways. In
the medium to long term, the knowledge, data, scientifically robust recommendations
and innovations generated will enhance decision making on all aspects relevant to
democratic governance.
8. The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative sectors as a
driver of sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised through
a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors as well as through
better protection, restoration and promotion of cultural heritage.
The investments will result in better access to, understanding of and engagement with
cultural heritage. They will bring to the fore common values, traditions, beliefs and the
different influences our cultures have been exposed to and have absorbed over time. This
will support the emergence of a sense of belonging and building a European identity
based on the common roots of the diversity of European cultural heritage while opening
up new perspectives and dimensions for the future. Research and innovation results will
contribute to European integration and societal cohesion by providing better, wider and
more equal access to culture, heritage and the arts and by analysing the role of culture
and cultural heritage in multi-cultural societies and patterns of cultural inclusion and
exclusion. Horizon Europe activities will also enhance the governance and cooperation of
European cultural heritage institutions and networks. As a key action, they will improve
the protection, enhancement, conservation and more efficient restoration of European
cultural heritage. Research activities will increase the quality standards for conservation
and restoration of European cultural heritage. Research and innovation will provide
solutions for making the EU a world leader in conservation technologies, management,
high quality digitisation and curation of digital heritage assets. Supported activities
will provide research and innovation for developing sustainable and inclusive cultural
tourism in Europe. They will also increase capacities for the protection of endangered
cultural heritage and deployment of preventive measures against the illicit trade in
cultural goods. Research and innovation will also help the preservation of endangered
languages. Research and innovation within this cluster will support European policies
that strengthen the innovation potential of cultural and creative industries, contributing
to sustainable growth and job creation.
47
9. Social and economic resilience and sustainability are strengthened through a better
understanding of the social, ethical, political and economic impacts of drivers of
change (such as technology, globalisation, demographics, mobility and migration) and
their interplay.
10. Inclusive growth is boosted and vulnerabilities are reduced effectively through
evidence-based policies for protecting and enhancing employment, education, social
fairness and tackling inequalities, including in response to the socio-economic challenges
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expected impacts 9 and 10 are synergetic and build upon each other to strengthen the
EU’s inclusive growth and upward convergence via social investment and productivity
enhancing policies in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU’s policies
on jobs and growth and the Just Transition Mechanism. Research and innovation
investments will contribute to reversing inequalities, including gender inequality,
supporting equal opportunities and tackling social exclusion. They will also take into
account long-term trends and risks to advance the EU’s employment, education and
social, including digital, inclusion policies. Research and innovation activities will
assess and help taking advantage of the multidimensional impacts of technology on
the future of work, productivity, employment, taxation, welfare and the public sector.
In addition, actions will develop innovative approaches to connecting education, life-
long learning and training to emerging social and labour market needs in support of
EU education, employment and sustainability policies. Supported activities will aim at
responding to new impacts of globalisation with a view to fairness as well as economic
and social resilience. The activities will develop the knowledge base on policies to
strengthen economic resilience through shock absorption mechanisms at EU level via
fiscal, monetary, labour market and macro prudential policies. Research and innovation
will contribute to mitigating the negative effects of demographic change and maximise
the socio-economic potential of ageing societies. Activities will also support the
governance of migration and the integration of migrants and populations of immigrant
background into European labour markets and societies. They will contribute to EU
migration and mobility policies, both internal and external. The overall knowledge
generated will feed into the design of institutions in line with the above mentioned
objectives and will facilitate the assessment of policy needs and outcomes in the field
of the societal and economic transformations.
48
KEY KSO A: Promoting an open KSO D: Creating a more resilient,

STRATEGIC strategic autonomy by leading the inclusive and democratic
ORIENTATIONS development of key digital, enabling European society
and value chains

High quality digital services for all
A secure, open and democratic
EU society
Inclusive growth and new job

opportunities
EXPECTED 8. Full potential of cultural heritage, 7. Democratic governance is

IMPACTS arts and cultural and creative sectors reinvigorated by improving the
accountability, transparency,
effectiveness and trustworthiness of
rule-of-law based institutions and
policies
9. Social and economic resilience and

sustainability
10. Inclusive growth through evidence-

based policies for employment,
education, social fairness and
inequalities, including in response to
the socio-economic challenges due to
the COVID-19 pandemic
21
the cluster can also contribute to other key strategic orientations and impact areas not depicted in the figure.
49
EXPECTED IMPACT INTERVENTION AREAS EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS

COVERED
7. Democratic governance Democracy and Governance N.A.
is reinvigorated by
improving the accountability,
transparency, effectiveness and
trustworthiness of rule-of-law
based institutions and policies
and through the expansion of
active and inclusive citizenship
empowered by the safeguarding
of fundamental rights.
8.The full potential of cultural Cultural Heritage N.A.
heritage, arts and cultural and
creative sectors as a driver of
sustainable innovation and a
European sense of belonging is
realised through a continuous
engagement with society,
citizens and economic sectors
as well as through better
protection, restoration and
promotion of cultural heritage.
9. Social and economic Social and Economic N.A.
resilience and sustainability Transformations
are strengthened through a
better understanding of the
social, ethical, political and
economic impacts of drivers
of change (such as technology,
globalisation, demographics,
mobility and migration) and
their interplay.
10. Inclusive growth is boosted Social and Economic N.A.
and vulnerabilities are reduced Transformations
effectively through evidence-
based policies for protecting
and enhancing employment,
education, social fairness and
tackling inequalities, including
in response to the socio-
economic challenges due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
50
The intervention areas under Cluster 2 will benefit from drawing on insights and
perspectives from international cooperation. Engaging in international cooperation will
allow for a better assessment of challenges in their global, regional or local context.
To this end, work with international partners will be undertaken on issues such as multilateral
governance, employment and social aspects of changing trade patterns and value chains, the
drivers and governance of migration, the democratic governance of cultural diversity, and the
crises and promotion of democracy in the EU neighbourhood. International collaborations will
also allow for broader connections when addressing global trends in democratic governance,
intercultural relations and cooperation on cultural heritage, inclusive growth, and decent work
and fair working conditions in the context of globalisation.
Synergies and complementarities with other clusters will be enhanced through broad cross-
sectoral collaboration in various fields described below.
With cluster 1 on health related socio-economic and gender inequalities, i.a in terms of
healthcare access, on other inequalities affecting health, on end users’ engagement, on
adaptation of public health systems to societal challenges (e.g. demographic change),
on health economics and economic models (e.g. socio-economic modelling), on cost-
effectiveness, fiscal sustainability, resilience and accessibility of healthcare.
The main complementarities between Cluster 3 and 2 manifest themselves in understanding

and countering radicalisation and extremism, building societal resilience to disinformation and
fake news, protecting cultural heritage and developing responses to crises. The research on
fundamental rights and civil liberties in Cluster 2 will inform research on security in Cluster 3.
Cross-cluster complementarities between cluster 2 and 4 are set to comprise e.g. qualitative
research on the nature of job transformations for industry 4.0/5.0, the analysis of human-
machines interactions, research on gender and racial biases in AI, research on design,
business models for sustainable developments, and the study of citizens’ participation and
public engagement in industrial technologies, as well as cultural heritage research.
Main complementarities between cluster 2 and 5 are to pivot around just transition and
social resilience, including the need to effectively engage and enable citizens to participate
in the clean energy transition, from planning to decision-making and implementation.
Activities within Cluster 6 also feature complementarities with Cluster 2, notably on

improving rural well-being and long-term socio-economic prospects, as well as through
research on promoting and valorising cultural heritage and developing innovative cultural
and creative industries.
51

1. HEALTH 1. Staying healthy in a rapidly Access to health care

changing society (…) Combatting socio-economic
inequalities
4. Ensuring access to innovative,
sustainable and high-quality health Health economics and economics
care (…) models
Cost-effectiveness, fiscal sustainability
and accessibility of healthcare
Adaptation of public health systems
to societal challenges (migration,
demographic change)
Contributing to building resilience
3. CIVIL 11. Losses from natural, accidental Countering radicalisation and

SECURITY FOR and man-made disasters are extremism, researching fundamental
SOCIETY reduced through enhanced disaster rights and civil liberties, combatting
risk reduction based on preventive disinformation and fake news,
actions, better societal preparedness, improving response to domestic
and resilience and improved disaster violence, and protecting cultural
risk management in a systemic way. heritage.
12. Legitimate passengers and

shipments travel more easily
into the EU, while illicit trades,
trafficking, piracy, terrorist and
other criminal acts are prevented,
thanks to improved air, land and sea
border management and maritime
security including better knowledge
on social factors.
14. Increased cybersecurity and a

more secure online environment
by developing and using effectively
and hybrid threats.
52
4. DIGITAL, 15. Global leadership in clean and Destination manufacturing: qualitative

INDUSTRY, climate-neutral industrial value research on the nature of job
SPACE chains, circular economy and transformations for industry 4.0/5.0
climate-neutral digital systems
and infrastructures (networks, Destination Artificial intelligence &
data centres) through innovative robotics: analysis of human-machines
production and manufacturing interactions, analysis of gender and
processes and their digitisation, racial bias in AI.
new business models, sustainable-
by-design advanced materials and Destination cross-cutting issues
technologies enabling the switch to (business intelligence): analysis of
decarbonisation in all major emitting business models for sustainable
industrial sectors, including green developments.
digital technologies.
Destination cross–cutting issues: study
16. Industrial leadership and of citizens’ participation and public
increased autonomy in key strategic engagement in industrial technologies
value chains with security of supply respect of citizens’ rights and freedoms
in raw materials, achieved through in the use of digital technologies.
breakthrough technologies in areas of Changes in the model of work and
industrial alliances, dynamic industrial especially lessons that can be drawn
innovation ecosystems and advanced from the pandemic experience on the
solutions for substitution, resource changes in human behaviour.
and energy efficiency, effective reuse
and recycling and clean primary Ensuring meaningful and effective ways
production of raw materials, including of gaining the participation and trust of
critical raw materials and leadership all of those currently left behind.
in circular economy.
17. Globally attractive, secure and

dynamic data-agile economy by
developing and enabling the uptake
of the next-generation computing and
data technologies and infrastructures
(including space infrastructure
and data), enabling the European
single market for data with the
corresponding data spaces and a
trustworthy artificial intelligence
ecosystem.
18. Open strategic autonomy in

digital technologies and in future
emerging enabling technologies by
strengthening European capacities in
key parts of digital and future supply
chains, allowing agile responses to
urgent needs, and by investing in early
discovery and industrial uptake of
new technologies.
53

developing, deploying and using
global space-based infrastructures,
services, applications and data
including by reinforcing the EU’s
independent capacity to access space,
securing the autonomy of supply for
critical technologies and equipment
and fostering the EU’s space sector
competitiveness.
20. A human-centred and ethical

development of digital and industrial
technologies, through a two-way
engagement in the development of
technologies, empowering end-users
and workers, and supporting social
innovation.
5. CLIMATE, 21. Transition to a climate-neutral and Socio-economic research can provide

ENERGY AND resilient society and economy enabled analysis and recommendations for just
MOBILITY through advanced climate science, transition and citizen’s engagement
pathways and responses to climate and participation.
change (mitigation and adaptation)
6. FOOD, 31. Rural, coastal, and urban areas Knowledge gaps, integrated policies
BIO-ECONOMY, are developed in a sustainable, and place-based innovations taking
NATURAL balanced and inclusive manner thanks into account the specific needs of rural
RESOURCES, to a better understanding of the communities.
AGRICULTURE & environmental, behavioural, socio-
ENVIRONMENT economic and demographic drivers
of change as well as deployment of
digital, social and community-led
innovations.
54
Cluster 3
CIVIL SECURITY
FOR SOCIETY
55
While the threats of terrorism and crime within the EU remain serious, challenges like
cyber-attacks are requiring coordinated responses and novel concepts. The protection
and resilience of physical and digital infrastructures, as well as of vital societal functions,
needs to be stepped up. Irregular migration caused by ongoing insecurity and economic
instability in the EU’s neighbourhood and beyond as well as an increase of legal
movements of persons and goods are requiring new technological solutions for better
integrated border management. Disasters, whether natural or man-made, call for better
preparation to prevent and reduce the loss of life, harm to health and the environment,
economic and material damage as well as to improve the understanding and reduction
of disaster risks and post-disaster lesson learning. Climate change is likely to exacerbate
security challenges outside of disaster events, and lessons need to be learnt from the
COVID-19 crisis both in terms of preparedness and capacity building for crises and in
improving responses to cross-sectoral aspects of such events.
Cluster 3 has the vision to support wider EU responses to those security challenges while
ensuring free movement and protecting the integrity of the Schengen area. This means
supporting ‘a resilient and more stable Europe that protects’ as well as for this purpose
supporting a competitive European civil security industry sector. As those challenges
are rapidly evolving and social and technological developments are making a response
increasingly complex, security research can serve as a tool to move from a reactive approach
to security to a proactive approach based on foresight, prevention and anticipation.
Cluster 3 will support in particular the Commission policy priority ‘Promoting our
European way of life’, as well as ‘European Green Deal’ and ‘Europe fit for the digital
age’. It will in particular support the implementation of the Security Union Strategy,
the Counter-Terrorism Agenda, the border management and security dimensions of
the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, EU Disaster Risk Reduction policies, the
EU Maritime Security Strategy and the EU Cybersecurity Strategy.

Cluster 3 will programme investments to achieve the following impacts:
11. Losses from natural, accidental and man-made disasters are reduced through
enhanced disaster risk reduction based on preventive actions, better societal
preparedness, and resilience and improved disaster risk management in a systemic way.
R&I actions will improve disaster risk management, including better understanding of the
disaster risk management cycle for incidents with a high impact but a low probability
of occurrence. R&I will enhance societal risk awareness, prevention and preparedness,
56
including through early warning and alert systems and a capacity to be better prepared
(including psychologically and socially) and able to respond to natural and man-made
disasters. By significantly improving precision and verifiability of predictions in relation to
disaster occurrences, more informed long-term decision support can be provided as well as
an encouragement of risk-informed innovations. With the help of enhanced technological
solutions and concepts, relevant communities can be better involved in developing and
implementing plans for cost-effective risk reduction and societal resilience, including for
the evacuation of vulnerable populations. An improved response to disasters requires
better tools and procedures for the coordination of cross-border incidents, and more
integrated and interoperable technologies, tools and methods to support emergency
procedures developed with all relevant actors. R&I can lead to the creation of standards on
the EU-level for response and emergency planning. Targeted R&I will tackle cross-sectoral
and multilevel governance on disaster risk management at EU level which also manages
trade-offs in policy-making (not only civil protection as such but related areas such as
land management, agriculture and rural development, as well as environment, climate
and energy). It will contribute to the creation of methodologies to be defined for ‘resilient
by design’ infrastructure. As a result of improved knowledge of human and social factors,
post-disaster recovery that can better respect local communities’ aesthetic-historical-
social values as well as quality standards for cultural heritage sites.
More specifically, four areas require more targeted R&I: (a) Chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRN-E) incidents (deeper understanding of risks,
better comparability of data, filling gaps in capabilities for first responders, methods
for cooperation between relevant actors); (b) Climate-related risks and extreme events
(more exact forecasting of occurrences and impacts, understanding of climate change
related risks and vulnerabilities (such as floods, droughts and forest fires), including
their application within emergency planning, more flexible adaptation to climate
change impacts, improved cross-border management); (c) Geological disasters, such as
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis (better and technologically advanced civil
protection capacities, notably faster detection and evacuation of victims); (d) Pandemics
and emerging infectious diseases (earlier detection of outbreaks, better response for
example by European Pandemic Preparedness Plans22).
12. Legitimate passengers and shipments travel more easily into the EU, while illicit
trades, trafficking, piracy, terrorist and other criminal acts are prevented, thanks to
improved air, land and sea border management and maritime security including better
knowledge on social factors.
R&I will enhance the interoperability and performance of relevant EU information systems,
leading to better and faster exchange as well as analysis. Concerning the movement
of persons, and with the contribution of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency
(Frontex) in identifying the relevant requirements, R&I will contribute to developing
22
See the requirement for Preparedness Plans in Decision No 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health, as well as the link with the
International Health Regulations (2005).
57
tools and methods for Integrated Border Management, possibly also taking into account
capacities of transit countries along migratory routes towards the EU as useful for
European Integrated Border Management, in particular to increase reaction capability and
capacity for border surveillance and monitoring movements across external borders, as
well as better risk-detection, incident response and prevention, and identification of and
response to crime. Concerning the flow of goods, R&I actions will address requirements
identified by EU customs authorities, notably improved detection of fraudulent activities
at border crossing points and throughout the transportation and supply chain. R&I will
address capability requirements identified by the EU Maritime Security Action Plan, thus
enabling better maritime surveillance, risk awareness and management of EU critical
maritime infrastructure border protection and coast guard functions.
13. Crime and terrorism are more effectively tackled, while respecting fundamental rights,
and resilience and autonomy of physical and digital infrastructures are enhanced and
vital societal functions are ensured, thanks to more powerful prevention, preparedness
and response, a better understanding of related human, societal and technological
aspects, and the development of cutting-edge capabilities for police authorities and
infrastructure operators, including measures against cybercrime.
R&I will bring improved prevention, investigation and mitigation of impacts of criminal
acts, including of new/emerging types (such as those resulting from digitisation and
other technologies). This needs to be based on a deeper knowledge of human and
social aspects of relevant societal challenges, such as violent radicalisation, child
sexual exploitation, trafficking of human beings, corruption and cyber criminality,
including support to victims. R&I can further help to transpose such knowledge into
the operational activities of EU police authorities and civil society organisations.
R&I will support police authorities in better tackling crime, including cybercrime
and terrorism as well as the different forms of serious and organised crime (such
as smuggling, money laundering, identity theft including hacking individual devices,
counterfeiting of products, trafficking of illicit drugs and of falsified/substandard
medicines, environmental crime or illicit trafficking of cultural goods) by developing
new technologies, tools and systems (including digital tools, e.g. artificial intelligence).
This refers especially to capabilities to analyse in near-real-time large volumes of
data to forestall criminal events, or to combat disinformation and fake news with
implications for security. R&I actions will develop operational tools for enhanced
criminal investigation capabilities for police authorities, covering a broad range of
activities including forensics, big data management, investigation of cybercriminal
activities, improved cross-border cooperation and exchange of evidence. R&I will
bring improved security of public spaces while preserving their open nature. With
regards to CBRN-E threats, R&I allows to generate knowledge for counter-terrorism
on the continuously evolving methods related to dangerous chemicals, and developing
technologies to counter and respond to related incidents.
58
In addition, R&I activities will better ensure security, safety and resilience of basic societal
functions such as healthcare, law enforcement, energy, mobility, public services and
electoral systems, financial services, communication and logistics infrastructures and
networks (both physical, on ground and in space, and digital), so as to minimise societal
disruptions. In order to allow for effective countermeasures, there is a need for better
risk- and vulnerability assessments, especially taking into account systemic threats,
interdependencies between different infrastructures and cascading risks taking into
account the cross-border dimension. To better prevent and detect attacks (including cyber
and hybrid attacks) or natural hazards as well as to allow for quick response, R&I will bring
new tools for security actors (police, relief workers, disaster managers, crisis managers)
notably in the fields of communication, data analysis and advanced robotics, with a view
to developing largely autonomous detection and response capabilities. R&I will contribute
to increased knowledge, technologies, new concepts and cooperation instruments that
will help mitigation of consequences and faster recovery of service performance levels,
including leveraging the potential of big data analysis and artificial intelligence.
14. Increased cybersecurity and a more secure online environment by developing and
using effectively EU and Member States’ capabilities in digital technologies supporting
protection of data and networks aspiring to technological sovereignty in this field,
while respecting privacy and other fundamental rights; this should contribute to secure
services, processes and products, as well as to robust digital infrastructures capable to
resist and counter cyber-attacks and hybrid threats.
Supported by R&I, citizens, public authorities and companies, including SMEs, will be
empowered to protect their data and online activities. This requires a resilient critical digital
infrastructure, both private and public, that better protects the Digital Single Market and the
digital life of citizens against malicious cyber activities. R&I should strengthen European
cybersecurity industrial capacities, supply chain security and increased open strategic
autonomy vis-à-vis foreign technologies. R&I will support the use of innovative digital
technologies, including self-healing, artificial intelligence, cryptography, massively distributed
computing and storage, as well as quantum technologies to increase data security and
augment cybersecurity. It will further support innovations in secure hardware and software
development and implementation and improve methods for cybersecurity testing and
certification. All these measures are aimed at defending the integrity of the Digital Single
Market as well as the EU’s high standards concerning rights to privacy, protection of personal
data, and the protection of other fundamental rights in the digital age on the global stage. For
citizens, this notably includes protecting themselves when using social media. Relevant R&I
actions will pay particular attention to the cybersecurity of the most vulnerable organisations
and individuals. The frequency and complexity of cyber-attacks from state and/or criminal
actors is increasing rapidly. R&I will therefore need to support the use, effectiveness and
coordination of measures to respond to them. In order to defend against cyber-threats, the
architectural principles of ‘security-by-design’ and ‘privacy-by-design’ will be implemented
59
in digital technologies and their applications, such as 5G, industry 4.0, artificial intelligence,
Internet of Things, block chain, quantum technologies, mobile devices and connected
cooperative and autonomous mobility and energy.
Activities under this expected impact of cluster 3 will be implemented in line with
the future Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the
European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the
Network of National Coordination Centre (COM 2018(630)).23
In addition, a number of cross-cutting R&I actions will support all of the above expected impacts:
• generate knowledge and value in cross-cutting matters in order to avoid sector-specific

bias and to break silos that impede the proliferation of common security solutions;
• strengthen key pillars of the research and innovation cycle to increase the effectiveness
and efficiency of its contribution to the development of security capabilities;
• support innovation uptake and go-to-market strategies with the aim of paving
the way towards an increased industrialisation, commercialisation, adoption and
deployment of successful outcomes of security research, thus contributing to
reinforce the competitiveness of EU security industry and safeguard the security of
supply of EU products in key security areas.
KEY KSO A: Promoting an open strategic KSO D: Creating a more resilient,

STRATEGIC autonomy by leading the development inclusive and democratic
ORIENTATIONS of key digital, enabling and emerging European society
FOR R&I technologies, sectors and value chains

Secure and cybersecure digital
technology A secure, open and democratic EU society
EXPECTED 14. Increased cybersecurity and a 11. Enhanced disaster risk reduction
IMPACTS more secure online environment
12. Improved air/land/sea border
management & maritime security
13. Tackling crime and terrorism, and

threats to infrastructures
Political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council was achieved on 11 December 2020.
23
24
the cluster can also contribute to other key strategic orientations and impact areas not depicted in the figure.
60

COVERED
11. Losses from natural, accidental Disaster-resilient societies N.A.
and man-made disasters are
reduced through enhanced
disaster risk reduction based on
preventive actions, better societal
preparedness, and resilience and
improved disaster risk management
in a systemic way.
12. Legitimate passengers and Protection and Security N.A.
shipments travel more easily into
the EU, while illicit trades, trafficking,
piracy, terrorist and other criminal acts
are prevented, thanks to improved
air, land and sea border management
and maritime security including better
knowledge on social factors.
13. Crime and terrorism are more Protection and Security N.A.
effectively tackled, while respecting Cybersecurity
fundamental rights, and resilience
and autonomy of physical and digital
infrastructures are enhanced and
vital societal functions are ensured,
thanks to more powerful prevention,
preparedness and response, a better
understanding of related human,
societal and technological aspects,
and the development of cutting-edge
capabilities for police authorities and
infrastructure operators, including
measures against cybercrime.
14. Increased cybersecurity and a Cybersecurity The European Cybersecurity
more secure online environment by Industrial, Technology and
developing and using more effectively Research Competence Centre,
EU and Member States’ capabilities on which political agreement
in digital technologies supporting between the European
protection of data and networks Parliament and the Council
aspiring to technological sovereignty was achieved in December
in this field, while respecting privacy 2020, will be an ad hoc EU
and other fundamental rights; this body, which is considered as a
should contribute to secure services, European Partnership for the
processes and products, as well as to purposes of receiving funding
robust digital infrastructures capable from Horizon Europe.
and hybrid threats.
61
Security research requires a specific approach towards international cooperation
to achieve the right balance between the need/opportunity to exchange with key
international partners (including relevant international organisations) while at the
same time ensuring the protection of the EU security interest and the need for
open strategic autonomy in critical sectors. Association as the closest international
cooperation modality provides an important instrument to pool resources to strategic
R&I activities in this area, leveraging investments not only from the Member States
and industry but also from the Associated Countries, which are an integral part of
the European Research Area.
In the area ‘Disaster-resilient societies’, there is an established culture of

comprehensive research collaboration with third countries, taking account of the
trans-national dimension of different natural and man-made hazards and their
drivers (such as climate change). The Commission has also actively shaped such
cooperation by participation in different fora and as chair of the International Forum
to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI) in the last years. Therefore, in the
area of ‘Disaster-resilient societies’, international cooperation will be strongly
encouraged given the value of cooperating internationally in particular in developing
technologies for first responders.
In the areas of Protection and Security (including border management, infrastructure

protection, and fighting crime and terrorism) and of Cybersecurity, international
cooperation will be explicitly encouraged only where appropriate and specifically
supporting ongoing collaborative activities. Due to the sensitive nature of most
projects in those areas and the obvious interest of the EU to ensure confidentiality
of results, as well as to maintain the ability to maintain open strategic autonomy in
critical domains of security, such explicit cooperation will need to be assessed on a
case-by-case basis and limited to selected international partners only. In line with
the overall strategic approach to R&I policy, cooperation would need to be based on
reciprocity and contribute to wider strategic goals of the EU.
62

1. HEALTH 3. Health care providers are able to Pandemics

better tackle and manage diseases
(infectious diseases, including
poverty-related and neglected
diseases, non-communicable and
rare diseases) and reduce the disease
burden on patients effectively
thanks to better understanding and
treatment of diseases, more effective
and innovative health technologies,
better ability and preparedness to
manage epidemic outbreaks and
improved patient safety.
5. Health technologies, new tools and Protecting privacy and developing and
digital solutions are applied effectively using secure ICT services and tools
thanks to their inclusive, secure and a robust digital infrastructure
and ethical development, delivery,
integration and deployment in health
policies and health and
care systems.
2. CULTURE, 7. Democratic governance is Fighting crime and terrorism:

CREATIVITY reinvigorated by improving disinformation and fake news.
AND INCLUSIVE accountability, transparency,
SOCIETY effectiveness and trustworthiness Secure digital technologies and
of rule of law based institutions and tools respecting privacy and other
policies, and through the expansion fundamental rights.
of active and inclusive citizenship
empowered by the safeguarding of Infrastructure protection: hybrid threats.
fundamental rights.
8. The full potential of cultural Protection of cultural heritage from

heritage, arts and cultural and disaster risks.
creative sectors as a driver of
sustainable innovation and a Fighting crime and terrorism:
European sense of belonging is trafficking of cultural goods.
realised through a continuous
engagement with society, citizens Fighting crime and terrorism:
and economic sectors as well protection of public spaces.
as through better protection,
restoration and promotion of
cultural heritage.
63
9. Social and economic resilience Fighting crime and terrorism:

and sustainability are strengthened smuggling, trafficking of persons.
through a better understanding
of the social, ethical, political and
economic impacts of drivers of change
(such as technology, globalisation,
demographics, mobility and migration)
and their interplay.
4. DIGITAL, 17. Globally attractive, secure and Cybersecurity and a secure online
INDUSTRY AND dynamic data-agile economy by environment.
SPACE developing and enabling the uptake
of the next-generation computing and AI for law enforcement; Handling and
data technologies and infrastructures sharing of data for fighting crime and
(including space infrastructure and terrorism; Space-based precision timing
data), enabling the European single for critical infrastructure operation
market for data with the corresponding and protection; Situation awareness
data spaces and a trustworthy artificial and wide area surveillance for border
intelligence ecosystem. management and disaster resilience;
Evolution of Copernicus security
service; Secure Satellite Positioning and
Navigation (Galileo PRS).
18. Open strategic autonomy in Supply chain security: better disaster

digital technologies and in future preparedness and faster recovery in
emerging enabling technologies by critical sectors and supply chains of
strengthening European capacities in digital technologies.
key parts of digital and future supply
chains, allowing agile responses to Autonomous systems for wide area
urgent needs, and by investing in early surveillance, critical infrastructure
discovery and industrial uptake of new protection and disaster response.
technologies.
19. Open strategic autonomy in Critical Space Infrastructure Protection;

developing, deploying and using GOVSATCOM – Secure communications
global space-based infrastructures, for internal security applications.
services, applications and data,
including by reinforcing the EU’s
independent capacity to access space,
competitiveness.
20. A human-centred and ethical Human-centric security, privacy and

development of digital and industrial ethics in digital technologies and tools.
technologies, through a two-way
engagement in the development of Fighting crime and terrorism -
technologies, empowering end-users protection and security without
and workers, and supporting social intrusive / excessive surveillance.
innovation.
64
All expected impacts (cross-cutting). Business intelligence, valorisation of

intellectual property, standardisation,
technology acceptance, societal
engagement.
5. CLIMATE, 21. Transition to a climate-neutral and Civil society resilience in disaster risk
ENERGY AND resilient society and economy enabled reduction.
MOBILITY through advanced climate science,
pathways and responses to climate Historical & geological records on
change (mitigation and adaptation) natural hazards for climate research.
Fighting crime and terrorism: tackling
relevant environmental crimes such as
illegal trades in ozone depleting gases.
Infrastructure protection: climate

change as systemic risk to
infrastructures.
6. FOOD, 29. Sustainable and circular Fighting crime and terrorism: fighting
BIOECONOMY, management and use of natural organised environmental crime.
NATURAL resources as well as prevention and
RESOURCES, removal of pollution are mainstreamed, Improved disaster resilience through
AGRICULTURE & unlocking the potential of the restoring ecosystem services.
ENVIRONMENT bioeconomy, ensuring competitiveness
and guaranteeing healthy soil, fresh
and marine water for all, through better
understanding of planetary boundaries
and deployment of innovative
technologies and other solutions,
notably in primary production, forestry
and bio-based systems.
32. Innovative governance models Ocean/Earth observation systems

enabling sustainability and resilience fordisaster risk management.
are established and monitored
through enhanced and shared use of
new knowledge, tools, foresight, and
environmental observations as
well as digital, modelling and
forecasting capabilities.
65
Cluster 4
DIGITAL, INDUSTRY
& SPACE
66
Progress in digital and industrial technologies, including in space, shape all sectors of
the economy and society. They transform the way industry develops, produces new
products and services, and are central to any sustainable future. The COVID-19 crisis of
2020 confirmed again the necessity to strengthen Europe’s industrial base, enhancing
its resilience and flexibility both in terms of technologies and supply chains to reduce EU
dependencies on third countries. It has also created a new urgency around addressing
key societal challenges like sustainability or inclusiveness. In a globalised world of
heightened uncertainties and volatile geopolitical interests, what is at stake is not only
Europe’s prosperity and economic competitiveness, but also its ability to autonomously
source and provide crucial raw materials, technologies and services that are safe and
secure for industry and people. This is about upholding EU’s strategic interests when
cooperating with our international partners; and about developing European solutions
that are in line with European values and requirements.
As Europe gears up for a more resilient, green, and digital recovery, the EU needs to
maintain a strong industrial and technological presence in key parts of digital, industrial
and other supply chains, in industrial ecosystems while safeguarding its ability to access
and use space. This is critical not only to be able to compete globally, but also to protect
its citizens, deliver services and products of the highest quality, and preserve its values
and socio-economic model.
To come out of the crisis faster, it will not only need to develop, but also deploy
technologies and reshape its industries and services towards a new reality, ensuring
that industry can become the accelerator and enabler of this change, as stated in the
European Commission’s ‘New Industrial Strategy for Europe’25 supporting the Green Deal
and in the Circular Economy Action Plan, digital strategies ‘Shaping Europe’s Digital
Future’, ‘Data’ ‘Artificial Intelligence White Paper26 and ‘Space Strategy for Europe’27.
Horizon Europe has a role to play, in full synergy with other Programmes in enabling the
deployment, uptake and roll-out of it research and innovation activities. To deliver on
a green and digital transformation according to European values, Europe must master
digital, space and key enabling technologies and reintegrate some of its supply chains
into the EU. Increased adaptability and resilience to improve production response,
recovery and preparedness will also include continuous investments in upskilling and
reskilling of the work force.
The green transition and digital transformation are just at their beginning. Significant
opportunities lie ahead to position Europe as a technology and industrial leader of this
transition. The overarching vision behind the proposed investments under Cluster 4 is
that of Europe shaping competitive, secure and trusted technologies for a European
industry with global leadership in key areas, enabling production and consumption to
respect the boundaries of our planet, and maximising the benefits for all parts of society
in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe.
25
European Industrial Strategy (COM(2020) 102 final)
26
Shaping Europe's digital future (COM(2020) 67 final), European Strategy for Data (COM(2020) 66 final, Artificial Intelligence White Paper
(COM(2020) 65final)
27
Space Strategy for Europe (COM(2016) 705 final)
67

Cluster 4 will programme activities that support digital, space and key enabling
technologies that are strategically important for Europe’s industrial future, and deliver
the following six impacts:
15. Global leadership in clean and climate-neutral industrial value chains, circular economy
and climate-neutral digital systems and infrastructures (networks, data centres), through
innovative production and manufacturing processes and their digitisation, new business
models, sustainable-by-design advanced materials and technologies enabling the switch to
decarbonisation in all major emitting industrial sectors, including green digital technologies.
The pressing need to tackle a number of sustainability challenges, notably climate

change and environmental impacts, creates opportunities supporting economies,
industries and the environment while also reducing dependencies by shortening and
diversifying supply chains. New technologies, including digital technologies, and new
sustainable processes and materials, will enable industry to reduce energy and resource
consumption, decarbonise production processes, and protect the environment. A more
agile, efficient and more circular economy will make Europe less dependent on external
imports, boosting its resilience. Furthermore, developing a strong industrial competitive
edge in these sectors of the future will ensure that European companies can respond the
rising demand of ecologically-designed products and services around the world.
16. Industrial leadership and increased autonomy in key strategic value chains with security
of supply in raw materials, achieved through breakthrough technologies in areas of industrial
alliances, dynamic industrial innovation ecosystems and advanced solutions for substitution,
resource and energy efficiency, effective reuse and recycling and clean primary production of
raw materials, including critical raw materials and leadership in circular economy.
Access to primary and secondary raw materials, notably critical raw materials, will remain
a vital prerequisite for both Europe’s strategic security and a successful transition to a
climate-neutral and circular economy. Europe must accelerate the maturity level of key
digital and enabling technologies and support their adoption in industrial value-chains
and strategic sectors such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, biotechnological
production, energy intensive industries, construction, energy sectors, aerospace, space,
defence and security, and healthcare.
17. Globally attractive, secure and dynamic data-agile economy by developing and enabling
the uptake of the next-generation computing and data technologies and infrastructures
(including space infrastructure and data), enabling the European single market for data
with the corresponding data spaces and a trustworthy artificial intelligence ecosystem.
68
Data becomes the new fuel of the economy and a key asset to address Europe’s
societal challenges. It will reshape the way we produce, consume and live. It is
the basis for many new products and services, driving productivity and resource
efficiency gains across all sectors of the economy and society. Currently, a small
number of Big Tech firms hold a large part of the world’s data. But as the volume
of data produced in the world is growing rapidly, enormous opportunities lie ahead.
In order to release its potential, Europe has to find its way and develop the data
technologies for sharing, re-using processing, combining, modelling and analysing
large amounts of data, while preserving high privacy, security, safety and ethical
standards. Overall, Europe is well positioned for data coming from the public sector
(such as health, education, etc.), as well as for industrial data, coming from the
ecosystem of large, medium and small industries that turned digital. There is
therefore a huge potential of creating vibrant EU data ecosystems at the intersection
of industry, public administration, science and people, within the EU legal framework
for data sharing and data protection established by the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR), which provides for appropriate safeguards when personal data
are processed for scientific research purposes, as well as when personal data are
transmitted within the EU or transferred to third countries outside the EU.
18. Open strategic autonomy in digital technologies and in future emerging enabling
technologies by strengthening European capacities in key parts of digital and future
supply chains, allowing agile responses to urgent needs, and by investing in early
discovery and industrial uptake of new technologies.
Despite a still strong presence in digital vertical markets (such as business software)
and industrial applications (like sensor and control, car electronics, manufacturing and
telecom equipment), Europe increasingly depends on other regions for its key digital
capacities such as digital components, computing systems, data infrastructure and web
platforms. At the same time, progress in data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, the
deployment of faster networks (5G and beyond), new computing and data processing
paradigms such as edge computing and quantum computing, as well as the increased
demand for security and trust as fundamental prerequisites for digital solutions, present
enormous opportunities for European industry to reinforce and regain leadership across
the digital supply chain. Where relevant, security and trust will be fostered through open
source solution, for both software and hardware. It is also indispensable to be first-
movers in strategic areas such as quantum computing and graphene, and to establish
early European leadership in emerging enabling technologies.
19. Open strategic autonomy in developing, deploying and using global space-based
infrastructures, services, applications and data, including by reinforcing the EU’s
independent capacity to access space, securing the autonomy of supply for critical
technologies and equipment and fostering the EU’s space sector competitiveness
69
The EU enjoys access to its own world-leading space and ground infrastructure,
services and applications for navigation and Earth observation, supporting a range
of EU and global policies and enabled by a competitive industrial sector active in
development of new satellites and launch systems as well as in space science and
exploration. However, technological development and markets move rapidly while
important export destinations remain, to a large extent, captive markets supported
by civil and military institutional demand. The EU must thus mobilise to remain
competitive, to secure its future independent access to space and ability to operate
securely in space, and to reduce its dependence on non-EU suppliers of technologies
and services while at the same time prepare for a future space ecosystem of
increasingly autonomous AI-enabled and flexible spacecraft and an increasingly
congested space environment. In addition, it should foster EU competitiveness,
respond to user needs for Earth environment monitoring, global Positioning
Navigation and Timing (PNT), communication and security. The EU will make the
most of the synergies of its Space and Digital programmes, for example to increase
the exploitation of the vast quantities of data collected by Copernicus, through
High Performance Computing and AI enabled infrastructures. Actions supporting the
implementation of the Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space
industries will promote cross-fertilization contributing to Europe’s security.
20. A human-centred and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies,

through a two-way engagement in the development of technologies, empowering end-
users and workers, and supporting social innovation.
As Europe takes the lead in the green and digital transition, workers, regions, and
societies are faced with extremely fast transformations, and will be differently
affected by these changes. The COVID-19 crisis illustrated the need to strengthen
resilience which entails a human-centred and ethical dimension. The rapid adoption of
new technologies offers an immense potential for improved standards of living, safer
mobility, better healthcare, new jobs, or the personalisation of public services. At the
same time, it presents risks such as skills mismatches, digital divides, user lock-in,
or serious breaches of security or privacy. Developments in industry, in digital and
enabling technologies should enhance trust and reflect values such as the rule of law,
cooperation, inclusiveness and respect for the environment. They have the potential
to enhance social inclusion, can inform up-skilling training programmes and ensure a
two-way engagement with society with regard to developing technologies, e.g. through
the involvement of social partners.
70
KEY KSO A: Promoting an open KSO C: Making Europe the first

STRATEGIC strategic autonomy by leading the digitally enabled circular, climate-
ORIENTATIONS development of key digital, enabling neutral and sustainable economy
and value chains
IMPACT Competitive and secure data-economy Climate change mitigation and

AREAS adaptation
Industrial leadership in key and emerging
technologies that work for people Circular and clean economy
Secure and cybersecure digital

technology
EXPECTED 16. Industrial leadership and 15. Global leadership in clean &
IMPACTS increased autonomy in key strategic climate-neutral industrial value chains,
value chains with security of supply in circular economy and climate-neutral
raw materials digital systems and infrastructures
17. Globally attractive, secure and

dynamic data-agile economy

digital technologies and in future
emerging enabling technologies

developing, deploying and using
global space-based infrastructures,
services, applications and data
20. A human-centred and ethical

development of digital and industrial
technologies
28
While the figure shows the cluster’s contribution to key strategic orientations A and C and corresponding impact areas, it should be noted that
71

COVERED29
15. Global leadership in clean Manufacturing Technologies Clean Steel – Low Carbon
and climate-neutral industrial Advanced Materials Steelmaking
value chains, circular economy Circular Industries Made in Europe
and climate-neutral digital Low-Carbon and Clean Industries Processes4Planet
systems and infrastructures Key digital technologies Photonics
(networks, data centres). Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Artificial Intelligence, Data and
Robotics
16. Industrial leadership and Advanced Materials Made in Europe
increased autonomy in key Circular Industries Processes4Planet
strategic value chains with Low-Carbon and Clean Industries
security of supply in raw Manufacturing Technologies
materials (…) Key digital technologies
Emerging enabling technologies
17. Globally attractive, secure Artificial Intelligence and Artificial intelligence, Data and
and dynamic data-agile Robotics Robotics
economy (…) Advanced Computing and Big Data Smart Networks and Services2
Manufacturing Technologies Key Digital Technologies2
High Performance Computing2
European Metrology3
18. Open strategic autonomy Key digital technologies Artificial Intelligence, Data and
in digital technologies and Emerging enabling technologies Robotics
in future emerging enabling Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Photonics
technologies (…) Next Generation Internet Smart Networks and Services2
Advanced Computing and Big Data Key Digital Technologies2
High Performance Computing2
European Metrology3
19. Open strategic autonomy Space, including Earth Globally Competitive Space
in developing, deploying and Observation Systems
using global space-based
infrastructures, services,
applications and data (…)
20. A human-centred and Next Generation Internet Made in Europe
ethical development of digital Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Artificial Intelligence, Data and
and industrial technologies (…) Manufacturing Technologies Robotics
Key Digital Technologies2
2
candidate Institutionalised European Partnership based on Article 187 TFEU that requires the preparation and adoption of a Commission
3
candidate Institutionalised European Partnership based on Article 185 TFEU that requires the preparation and adoption of a Commission
proposal for a Decision of European Parliament and Council
29
This mapping shows the principal links of intervention areas to expected impacts and only some of the secondary links.
72
Main actions to be aligned with R&I of other nations/regions at major scale and actions
to be carried out in cooperation with organisations in other third countries while
safeguarding Europe’s strategic interests.
The cluster will emphasise multilateral cooperation in areas of common interest,

highlighting Europe’s strong position in sustainability, and pursuing a level playing field,
reciprocity and common standards. Collaborative R&I will be complemented through
industrial and policy dialogues, to achieve these aims. Examples include:
• Materials safety methodologies and standards, aiming at harmonised approaches,

e.g. for nanosafety sustainable-by-design and standardisation of methods
for measurement and testing of chemicals and materials; including safe-by-
design and a harmonised approach to materials life cycle assessment (“circularity
by design”);
• Circular economy and climate-neutral technologies, to lead the way and join forces
internationally for the transition to sustainability, and to support European industry;
• Enhancing EU’s technological sovereignty while sustaining productive relations with

our strategic partners. The EU needs to reduce the dependency on third countries of
key strategic segments of the technology value chains. It will need to strengthen its
strategic technological capacities at the same time preventing the attempts by third
countries to control strategic European companies.
• Common standards and interoperability, including in the regulatory context of

manufacturing technologies, digital technologies in particular 5G and beyond and
Artificial Intelligence (focussed on ethics and data).
• Promoting a human-centred Internet that supports ethical and social values, by

reinforcing collaborations with third countries, attracting internet talents and
contributing to standards.
• On space, dialogues are held on a regular basis with a number of countries. Copernicus
has developed a number of agreements for mutual data exchange and promotes R&I
collaboration with these international cooperation partners.
Cluster 4 will develop core and pervasive technologies that will be applied and used in
many sectors of the economy to address challenges faced by our society in areas such
as health, transport, energy, food and agriculture, culture.
73

1. HEALTH 2. Living and working in a health- Safe and sustainable materials systems
promoting environment (…) Zero-polluting industries
5. Unlocking the full potential of new Leading European AI based on trust

tools, technologies and digital solutions Robotics
for a healthy society: Health technologies,
new tools and digital solutions are applied Photonics; repurposing of manufacturing
effectively thanks to their inclusive, Advanced Materials for health
secure and ethical development, delivery,
integration and deployment in health Data sharing in the common European
policies and health and care systems. data space, and data analytics capacity
2. CULTURE, 9. Social and economic resilience Activities under an Internet of Trust

CREATIVITY and sustainability are strengthened and human-machine interactions,
AND INCLUSIVE through a better understanding as well as for manufacturing
SOCIETY of the social, ethical, political and technologies, will benefit from studies
economic impacts of drivers of change of people’s participation and public
(such as technology, globalisation, engagement in industrial technologies,
demographics, mobility and migration) as well as cultural heritage research
and their interplay.
Data sharing in the common European
data space, and data analytics
capacity are a fundamental tools for
understanding society
10. Inclusive growth is boosted and Future of work and skills activities for
vulnerabilities are reduced effectively Manufacturing
through evidence-based policies for
protecting and enhancing employment, Activities on new business models
education, social fairness and tackling relevant to activities under circular
inequalities, including in response to industries and low-carbon climate
the socio-economic challenges due to neutral industries
the COVID-19 pandemic.
data space, and data analytics
capacity are a key prerequisite for
evidence-based policies
3. CIVIL Security of IoT devices Digital technologies for trust and

SECURITY FOR sovereignty
SOCIETY Cybersecurity
Disaster –Resilient Societies data space
Leading European AI based on trust

Digital solutions for disaster risk
assessment and situational awareness
74
5. CLIMATE, 22. Clean and sustainable transition Hydrogen, and heat/waste recovery in
ENERGY AND of the energy and transport sectors energy intensive industries are also
MOBILITY towards climate neutrality facilitated priorities for energy intensive industries
by innovative crosscutting solutions. to make them climate neutral
Activities in low-carbon and clean

industries; Raw materials; and Advanced
materials with activities on energy
infrastructures, CCUS, hydrogen, Batteries
2. CULTURE, 23. More efficient, clean, sustainable, Role of industrial hubs as actors in
CREATIVITY secure and competitive energy supply the energy system. Role of industrial
AND INCLUSIVE through new solutions for smart symbiosis to reuse energy
SOCIETY grids and energy systems based on
more performant renewable energy Materials systems to facilitate energy
solutions. conversion
24. Efficient and sustainable use of Activities in low-carbon and clean

energy, accessible for all is ensured industries; Raw materials; and
through a clean energy system and a Advanced materials with activities
just transition. on energy infrastructures, CCUS,
hydrogen, Batteries
A new way to build; advanced

materials
26. Safe, seamless, smart, inclusive, Many innovations in energy and mobility
resilient, climate neutral and rely on advances in digital technologies
sustainable mobility systems for
people and goods thanks to user- Space-based technologies are crucial
centric technologies and services for improving efficiency of mobility
including digital technologies and and energy solutions. Common critical
advanced satellite navigation technologies and equipment in space
services. and aviation. Airborne access to space.
Advances in materials and provision

of suitable raw materials are key
prerequisites for advances in energy
and transport technologies
6. FOOD, Systemic approach to circular Activities in low-carbon and clean

BIOECONOMY, economy industries; Circular industries and
NATURAL circularity by design ; Raw materials;
RESOURCES, and Advanced materials; Key Digital
AGRICULTURE & Components; Data; AI & robotics
ENVIRONMENT
ALL CLUSTERS Applications of emerging enabling

technologies
Metrology
Art-driven use experiments and design
75
Cluster 5
CLIMATE, ENERGY
& MOBILITY
76
The overarching driver for this cluster is the ambition to achieve climate neutrality
in Europe by 2050, entailing the transition to climate neutrality of the energy
and mobility sectors by 2050 at the latest (as well as that of other sectors not
covered by this cluster), while boosting their competitiveness, resilience and utility
for citizens and society and their ecological footprint, ensuring a just transition.
Actions will support the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the European
Green Deal (greater ambition for 2030 requires faster technological development
and accelerated economic and societal transformation); the European Economic
Recovery Plan and other EU priorities in the areas of climate, energy, and mobility.
By creating more green jobs, accelerating economic and social transformation, faster
digitalisation and by generating innovation-based and inclusive growth, activities will
also contribute to the Commission priorities ‘An economy that works for the people’
and ‘A Europe fit for the digital age’.
Achieving deep reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy and transport
sectors and decoupling their environmental impacts from economic growth is crucial.
As foreseen by the European Commission’s strategic vision ‘A Clean Planet for All’,
decarbonisation – along with faster digitalisation and accelerated economic and
societal transformation – will transform both sectors in the coming decades making
them increasingly intertwined. At the same time, becoming a leading actor in fast-
expanding global markets for sustainable technologies and services is imperative for
the European economy and the energy and transport sectors in particular.
1. Expected impacts of Cluster 5

21. Transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society and economy enabled through
advanced climate science, pathways and responses to climate change (mitigation
and adaptation) and behavioural transformations.
Advancing climate science and creating a user-centric knowledge base remain

essential to catalyse the global transition to a climate neutral and resilient economy.
Addressing this challenge will involve research that furthers our understanding of
the changing climate and its implications, closes knowledge gaps (as identified in
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports), develops the tools
that support decision makers for mitigation and adaptation actions on various time
and spatial scales, and evaluates the societal impact of climate change and the
technologies required for a zero-carbon transition.
The first objective is to accelerate climate action (both mitigation and adaptation)
uptake globally in line with the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, by improving
77
knowledge of the earth system under different socio-economic pathways, estimating

the impacts of climate change and by designing and evaluating solutions and
pathways for mitigation and adaptation, related social transformation, considering
also account biodiversity and ecosystems preservation. The second objective is to
contribute substantially to key international assessments such as the IPCC. The third
objective is to strengthen the European research area on climate change.
22. Clean and sustainable transition of the energy and transport sectors towards
climate neutrality facilitated by innovative crosscutting solutions.
Many challenges of the energy and transport sectors are closely interlinked and
must be addressed in a holistic approach, including with regard to their implications
for citizens and society and making use of the social sciences and the humanities
(SSH). As regards batteries, R&I activities will develop more performant, sustainable
and circular battery technologies according to sectoral needs, thereby sustaining
a competitive and sustainable EU battery value chain. With a view to hydrogen, a
global leadership role of European industry along a competitive safe and sustainable
hydrogen supply chain will be supported with R&I actions targeting improved
efficiency, cost, performance, safety, sustainability and environmental footprint of
hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Synergies and collaboration between these
cross-sectoral solutions and their application in down-stream sectoral R&I in
energy, transport and industry will be ensured thereby increasing resource efficiency,
circularity and recyclability. In addition, emerging and break-through technologies
with a high potential for achieving climate neutrality in the energy and transport
sector will be supported.
More than 80% of the EU's population live in urban areas – R&I actions will provide
concrete solutions for urban energy and mobility systems, thereby increasing the
overall energy and resource efficiency as well as the climate-resilience of Europe’s
cities and communities and their attractiveness to businesses and citizens in a
holistic fashion. The transition to climate neutrality will however only succeed if
citizens accept and engage in it – R&I actions will investigate more effective ways to
involve citizens, in particular through the Mission on Climate-neutral Cities.
23. More efficient, clean, sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply through
new solutions for smart grids and energy systems based on more performant
renewable energy solutions.
The transition of the energy system will rely on reducing the overall energy
demand and making the energy supply side climate neutral. R&I actions will make
the energy supply side cleaner, more secure, and competitive by boosting cost
performance and reliability of a broad portfolio of renewable energy solutions,
78
in line with societal needs and preferences. Furthermore, R&I activities are
needed to underpin the modernisation of the energy networks to support energy
system integration, including the progressive electrification of demand side
sectors (buildings, mobility, industry) and integration of other decarbonised and
low-emission energy carriers, such as renewable hydrogen. Innovative energy
storage solutions (including chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal storage)
are a key element of such energy system and R&I actions will advance their
technological readiness for industrial-scale and domestic applications. Carbon
Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a CO2 emission abatement option that
holds great potential and R&I actions will accelerate the development of CCUS in
electricity generation and industry applications.
24. Efficient and sustainable use of energy, accessible for all is ensured through a
clean energy system and a just transition.
Fostering demand side solutions and improving energy efficiency are among the
most cost effective ways to support climate neutrality, to create inclusive growth
and employment in Europe, to bring down costs for consumers, to reduce our import
dependency and redirect investments towards smart and sustainable infrastructure.
Buildings are pivotal to the energy transition and the achievement of a climate neutral
economy and R&I actions will facilitate cost-effective energy renovation of buildings,
thereby delivering energy savings, better life-cycle resource efficiency, and more
synergetic interactions of buildings with the energy system and between buildings.
Furthermore, R&I is needed to scale the positive impacts from building level to the
much more complex district and city level where a maximum of synergies can be
achieved, involving citizens and different levels of government. As regards industry,
efficient use of decarbonised energy will be optimised at all levels, with a focus on
the integration of renewable and low-carbon and low-emission energy sources and
the optimisation of energy flows across integrated industrial installations and the
wider energy system.
25. Towards climate-neutral and environmental friendly mobility through clean

solutions across all transport modes while increasing global competitiveness of the
EU transport sector.
The transport sector is responsible for 23% of CO2 emissions in the EU and remains
dependent on oil for 92% of its energy demand. While there has been significant
technological progress over past decades, projected GHG emissions are not in line
with the objectives of the Paris Agreement due to the expected increase in transport
demand. Intensified research and innovation activities are therefore needed, across
all transport modes and in line with societal needs and preferences, for the EU to
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reach its policy goals towards a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to
reduce significantly air pollutants.
As regards road transport, R&I actions will contribute to the transformation to zero-
emission mobility ensuring that Europe remains world leader in innovation, production
and services in relation to road transport. The rail system will be supported with
R&I action in its transformation focussing on climate neutrality, automation and
digitalization. R&I action on aviation will develop enabling and integrated aircraft
technologies for deep decarbonisation transformation, reducing all aviation impacts
(including noise) and emissions, including of air pollutants, and strengthening
European aero-industry collaboration and industrial leadership position. With a view
to waterborne transport, R&I actions will advance zero-emission solutions in the
shipping sector, improve its system efficiency, enhancing digital and EU satellite-
navigation solutions and contribute to its competitiveness. To reduce the negative
impact of transport on environment and the human health, R&I actions will help to
devise more effective ways of reducing emissions and their impacts.
26. Safe, seamless, smart, inclusive, resilient, climate neutral and sustainable
mobility systems for people and goods thanks to user-centric technologies and
services including digital technologies and advanced satellite navigation services.
Europe needs to maintain the competitiveness of its transport industry and manage
the transformation of supply-based transport to demand-driven, safe, climate neutral
and sustainable mobility and transport services for passenger and freight. Suitable
research and innovation initiatives will help to prepare such transformation. Emerging
digital technologies and advanced satellite navigation services (Galileo/EGNOS)
provide a great potential for developing connected and automated transport and
managing traffic across the whole transport network. It can enable significant safety,
environmental, economic and social benefits by reducing accidents, traffic congestion,
energy consumption and emissions of vehicles and logistics networks while increasing
efficiency and productivity of operations and improving working conditions.
To succeed in this transformation, Europe’s ageing (and not always sustainable) transport
infrastructure needs to be prepared for enabling cleaner and smarter operations.
Research and innovation results will set the basis for future standards and
regulatory framework, creating European and global markets. To maximise societal,
environmental and economic benefits, in addition to technological solutions, it is
essential to address human and social aspects such as: analysis of mobility factors
and patterns (for both passenger and freight transport), representations of different
social groups and inclusiveness of new solutions, data privacy concerns, capacity
building and public acceptance, etc.
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KEY KSO A: Promoting an open KSO C: Making Europe the first

STRATEGIC strategic autonomy by leading the digitally enabled circular, climate-
ORIENTATIONS development of key digital, enabling neutral and sustainable economy
and value chains
IMPACT Industrial leadership in key and emerging Climate change mitigation and
AREAS technologies that work for people adaptation
Affordable and clean energy
Smart and sustainable transport
Circular and clean economy
EXPECTED 16. Clean and sustainable transition 21. Transition to a climate-neutral and
IMPACTS of the energy and transport sectors resilient society and economy
25. Climate-neutral and 23. Efficient, clean, sustainable,

environmental-friendly mobility secure, and competitive energy supply
24. Efficient and sustainable use

of energy
26. Safe, seamless, smart, inclusive,

resilient, climate neutral and
sustainable mobility systems
30
While the figure shows the cluster’s contribution to key strategic orientations A and C and corresponding impact areas, it should be noted that
81
Table 1 Overview of R&I targeted impacts, cluster intervention areas, and Horizon Europe partnerships

COVERED
21. Transition to a climate- Climate Science and Solutions
neutral society enabled through
advanced climate science and
responses for climate mitigation
and adaptation.
22. Clean and sustainable Communities and Cities Clean Hydrogen2
transition of the energy and Clean Transport and Mobility Batteries: Towards a competitive
transport sectors towards Energy Storage European industrial battery
climate neutrality facilitated value chain
by innovative cross-sectoral Driving Urban Transitions to a
solutions. Sustainable Future (DUT)
23. More efficient, clean, secure Energy Supply Clean Energy Transition
and competitive energy supply Energy Systems and Grids
through new solutions for smart Energy Storage
grids and energy systems based
on more performant renewable
energy solutions.
24. Efficient and sustainable Buildings and Industrial Facilities in People-centric Sustainable Built
use of energy, accessible for the Energy Transition Environment (Built4People)
all is ensured through a clean
energy system and a just
transition.
25. Towards climate-neutral Industrial Competitiveness in Transforming Europe's Rail
and environmental friendly Transport System2
mobility through clean Clean Transport and Mobility Integrated Air Traffic
solutions across all transport Smart Mobility Management2
modes while increasing global Clean Aviation2
competitiveness of the EU Towards Zero-emission Road
transport sector. Transport (2ZERO)
Zero-emission Waterborne
Transport
26. Safe, seamless, smart, Industrial Competitiveness in Connected and Automated
inclusive, resilient, climate Transport Mobility (CCAM)
neutral and sustainable Clean Transport and Mobility
mobility services for people and Smart Mobility
goods thanks to user-centric
technologies and services
including digital technologies
and advanced satellite
navigation services.
In the table, partnerships are indicated for the main impact area even if some of them contribute to several ones.
1
Candidate for Institutionalised European Partnership based on Article 187 TFEU that requires the preparation and adoption of a Commission
2

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International cooperation is crucial to ensure access to talent, knowledge, know-
how, facilities and markets worldwide, to effectively tackle global challenges, to
influence and build coalitions with like-minded and strategic partners, as well as
to implement global commitments and to ensure global standards, environmental
protection, inter-operability and a level playing field. Cooperation with third countries
and international organisations/initiatives will be based on common interest, mutual
benefit and global commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.
This will strengthen the EU’s research and innovation excellence, attractiveness and
economic and industrial competitiveness, contribute to tackle global challenges, and
to support the Union's external policies while leveraging additional resources from
third countries.
The EU intends to play an increasingly leading role in global/multilateral initiatives

and/or organisations (e.g. Mission Innovation, Clean Energy Ministerial, the
International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Group on
Earth Observations, United Nations’ agencies as the International Civil Aviation
Organisation, International Maritime Organisation) and maintain technological
leadership in critical technology areas. The EU plans to develop its bilateral/
multilateral and bi-regional/multi-regional research and innovation cooperation with
strategic partners who can positively contribute to the EU’s excellence in research and
innovation or that represent promising markets for advanced European technologies.
Particular attention will be paid to international research and innovation cooperation
that will support countries to implement effective climate mitigation strategies in
line with their commitments under the Paris Agreement, as well as adaptation
and environmental protection strategies, in particular in developing countries. The
EU will cooperate with international partners on innovative solutions for resource
efficient passenger and freight transport that respects the environment and human
health. This includes integrated, safe and inclusive mobility solutions for urban
agglomerations that will accelerate the transition to climate neutrality. The EU
plans to develop further the African Union-European Union Research and Innovation
Partnership on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE), to continue research
and innovation cooperation with its neighbourhood countries and with strategic and
like-minded partners in the Americas and Asia, in the frame of its energy, transport
and research and innovation dialogues, and Connectivity partnerships.
83

1. HEALTH 2. Living and working environments Health & Safety in transport, including
are health-promoting and sustainable diseases detection and transmission
thanks to better understanding of as well as positive impacts of active
environmental, occupational, social mobility.
and economic determinants of health.
2. CULTURE, 9. Social and economic resilience and Empowering citizens to engage in

CREATIVITY sustainability are strengthened through the transformation to climate neutral
AND INCLUSIVE a better understanding of the social, society (with regard to energy and
SOCIETY ethical, political and economic impacts mobility).
of drivers of change (such as technology,
globalisation, demographics, mobility Promoting a just transition through
and migration) and their interplay. effective pathways and responses
to climate change (mitigation
10. Inclusive growth is boosted and and adaptation) and behavioural
vulnerabilities are reduced effectively transformations, taking into
through evidence-based policies for account the existing socio-economic
protecting and enhancing employment, vulnerabilities, divergences and risks.
education, social fairness and tackling
inequalities, including in response to
the socio-economic challenges due to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. CIVIL 11. Losses from natural, accidental Climate science for more informed
SECURITY FOR and man-made disasters are decisions on adaptation actions and
SOCIETY reduced through enhanced disaster disaster risk management.
risk reduction based on preventive
actions, better societal preparedness,
and resilience and improved disaster
risk management in a systemic way.
13. Crime and terrorism are more Protection of critical energy and
effectively tackled, while respecting mobility infrastructure enhancing their
fundamental rights, and resilience resilience and robustness
and autonomy of physical and digital
infrastructures are enhanced and
vital societal functions are ensured,
thanks to more powerful prevention,
preparedness and response, a better
understanding of related human,
societal and technological aspects,
and the development of cutting-edge
capabilities for law enforcement
agencies and infrastructure operators,
including measures against cybercrime.
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14. Increased cybersecurity and a Innovations in energy and mobility

more secure online environment rely on secure digital technologies and
by developing and using effectively handling of data
and hybrid threats.
4. DIGITAL, 15. Global leadership in clean and Role of industrial hubs as actors in the
INDUSTRY AND climate-neutral industrial value chains, energy system
SPACE circular economy and climate-neutral
digital systems and infrastructures Manufacturing technologies for energy
(networks, data centres) through systems, transport vehicles and
innovative production and infrastructure.
manufacturing processes and their
digitisation, new business models,
sustainable-by-design advanced
materials and technologies enabling
the switch to decarbonisation in all
major emitting industrial sectors,
including green digital technologies.
16. Industrial leadership and Many innovations in energy, mobility

increased autonomy in key strategic and climate services rely on advances
value chains with security of supply in digital technologies
in raw materials, achieved through
breakthrough technologies in areas of
industrial alliances, dynamic industrial
innovation ecosystems and advanced
solutions for substitution, resource
and energy efficiency, effective reuse
and recycling and clean primary
production of raw materials, including
critical raw materials and leadership
in circular economy.
17. Globally attractive, secure and Advances in materials and provision

dynamic data-agile economy by of suitable raw materials are key
developing and enabling the uptake prerequisites for advances in energy
of the next-generation computing and and transport technologies
data technologies and infrastructures,
including space infrastructure and
data), enabling the European single
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market for data with the

corresponding data spaces and a
trustworthy artificial intelligence
ecosystem.
19. Open strategic autonomy in Space-based technologies are crucial

developing, deploying and using for improving efficiency of mobility,
global space-based infrastructures, climate services and energy solutions.
services, applications and data, Common critical technologies and
including by reinforcing the EU’s equipment in space and aviation.
independent capacity to access space, Airborne access to space.
competitiveness
6. FOOD, 27. Climate neutrality is achieved by Climate science can provide important
BIOECONOMY, reducing GHG emissions, maintaining knowledge for the role and capacity
NATURAL natural carbon sinks, and enhancing of ecosystems as carbon sinks as
RESOURCES, the sequestration and storage of well as on impacts of climate change
AGRICULTURE & carbon in ecosystems, including by on biodiversity, ecosystem and their
ENVIRONMENT unfolding the potential of nature services.
based solutions, production systems
on land and at sea as well as rural Development of offshore renewable
and coastal areas, where adaptations energy in full compliance with the
to climate change are also being “do not harm” principal to the marine
fostered for enhancing resilience. environment.
29. Sustainable and circular Use of biomass for producing

management and use of natural bioenergy.
resources as well as prevention
and removal of pollution are Circularity for improving overall energy
mainstreamed, unlocking the and resources efficiency.
potential of the bioeconomy, ensuring
competitiveness and guaranteeing
healthy soil, air, fresh and marine
water for all, through better
understanding of planetary boundaries
and deployment of innovative
technologies and other solutions,
notably in primary production, forestry
and bio-based systems.
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Cluster 6
FOOD, BIOECONOMY,
NATURAL RESOURCES,
AGRICULTURE &
ENVIRONMENT
87
Climate change and human activities are creating mounting pressures on ecosystems
and natural resources, including biodiversity, soil, water, air and marine resources. Without
fast and systemic transformative changes in the still predominantly linear systems
of production and consumption, the demand for natural resources will lead to serious
negative effects for the planet, people and prosperity. Already today, a sharp natural capital
degradation combined with negative impacts of climate change risk leading to irreversible
damages, overshooting or threatening planetary boundaries and undermining health and
prosperity. The current COVID-19 pandemic suggests that we need to be better prepared
for and to prevent possible combined environmental, health and socio-economic shocks.
Against this background, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, food and bio-
based systems, which are key for food and nutrition security, health, economic growth, jobs
and territorial development, are of particular concern. They have profound impact on and
at the same time are particularly affected by the global environmental changes.
Investments in R&I under Cluster 6 will support all the priorities of the Commission for
2019-2024. In particular, they will be key to meeting the objectives of the ‘European
Green Deal’, while largely contributing to ‘An economy that works for people’ and ‘A
Europe fit for the digital age’. The most relevant Green Deal initiatives covered are
Climate Action, Farm to Fork Strategy, EU Biodiversity Strategy, Circular Economy Action
Plan, Zero Pollution Ambitions and the New Industrial Strategy for Europe. R&I will
contribute to the development of a long-term vision for rural areas. In addition, Cluster
6 will support the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, the Maritime
Policy, EU Arctic Policy, the EU General Food Law, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, EU Forest
Strategy, the Blue Growth Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU
Plastics Strategy, the Data Strategy for Europe, the Food 2030 initiative as well as all EU
environmental legislation and policies targeting high level of protection for biodiversity,
soil, water, air and marine resources, including the Nature Directives, the Pollinators
Initiative and the EU Water Framework Directive. To achieve these goals, Cluster 6 will
take advantage of the data, information and services provided by the European Space
programmes Copernicus and Galileo where appropriate.
The circular economy, the sustainable bioeconomy, including its bio-based innovative
circular ecosystems and solutions, blue economy including marine biotechnology,
sustainable agriculture including agroecology, sustainable food systems, nature-based
solutions, integrated water, soil and nutrients management, as well as digitalisation and
data technologies have the potential to balance environmental, social and economic
goals and set the economy on a course toward a low ecological footprint and sustainable
development in line with the UN 2030 Agenda. Research generating new knowledge, a
diversity of innovations, thriving place-based innovation ecosystems, industrial ecosystems,
societal engagement and innovative business and governance models will be instrumental
to unlock their potential. The lessons learnt during and the recovery from the COVID-19
crisis open opportunities to accelerate a just and inclusive ecological transition.
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1. Expected impacts of Cluster 6

27. Climate neutrality is achieved by reducing GHG emissions, maintaining natural carbon
sinks, and enhancing the sequestration and storage of carbon in ecosystems, including
by unfolding the potential of nature based solutions, production systems on land and at
sea as well as rural and coastal areas, where adaptations to climate change are also
being fostered for enhancing resilience.
Cluster 6 has the potential to deliver significantly on EU climate objectives by accelerating

systemic changes and by improving the efficient and sustainable use of resources, soil,
water, energy and raw materials, making sure that no negative impacts on biodiversity
and people are caused. Thanks to R&I the climate mitigation and adaptation potential
of ecosystems, primary production systems on land and at sea as well as in food
and bio-based systems will be better understood and seized. Innovative production,
transformation, distribution consumption and waste management systems will lead
to the reduction of GHG emissions in primary and secondary production, notably in
agriculture, food and bio-based systems. Innovative approaches will enable maintaining
natural carbon sinks and enhance capture and storage functions provided by ecosystems,
including soils (in particular organic soils), forests and oceans, primary production systems
(e.g., carbon farming and agroforestry) as well as sustainable bio-based industry and
products. R&I will also foster adaptation to the impacts of climate change and enhance
resilience. It will allow resource efficiency and sustainable cascading use of biomass. The
ocean-climate nexus will be better understood. R&I will support monitoring, risk-based
assessment and forecasting capacities including sea-level rise, and adaptation solutions
to extreme sea level events and coastal hazards.
28. Biodiversity is back on a path to recovery, and ecosystems and their services are
preserved and sustainably restored on land, inland water and at sea through improved
knowledge and innovation.
Although transformative changes could bend the curve of biodiversity loss, they
are currently not happening sufficiently quickly, widely or systemically, requiring
the increased mobilization of R&I and all actors. R&I will be used to better observe,
understand, monitor, value, restore and manage biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Innovative solutions will be designed, scientifically tested and validated, up-scaled and
implemented, to prevent ecosystems degradation and restore degraded ecosystems
and biodiversity, including of pollinators, corals, etc. R&I will also improve conservation,
management and use of plant, animal, fungal and microbial genetic resources, thereby
preserving and enhancing biodiversity in natural and primary production systems
(including agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries), environmental applications
and biodiscovery. Direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss will be tackled, and
89
transformative change promoted in all sectors and societal aspects, notably by using
natural capital accounting. European R&I will increase its contribution to biodiversity
science and policy at European and global level.
29. Sustainable and circular management and use of natural resources as well as
prevention and removal of pollution are mainstreamed, unlocking the potential of
the bioeconomy, ensuring competitiveness and guaranteeing healthy soil, air, fresh
and marine water for all, through better understanding of planetary boundaries and
deployment of innovative technologies and other solutions, notably in primary production,
forestry and bio-based systems.
Physical and biological planetary boundaries and flows will be better understood
and defined, notably in relation to the use and management of natural resources.
Innovative solutions for a minimised, circular use of resources (including water)
and the mainstreaming of circular systems, including at local and regional levels,
to increase resource efficiency along and across value chains will be developed,
tested, scientifically validated and further demonstrated. Attention will be given to
prevention and mitigation of pollution, including with nutrients, pesticides, plastics
and emerging contaminants, towards clean seas and oceans, water (inland and
underground), soil and air. The innovative, safe circular and bio-based approaches,
implemented through technology breakthrough and sustainable business models, and
through sustained efforts on developing demand for these approaches, will ensure
competitiveness and contribute to increased and fairly distributed added-value along
and across value chains as well as to more attractive jobs in areas which are more
socially and economically disadvantaged (e.g. rural areas), especially in the context of
the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative circular approaches will enable sustainable
management of soil, water resources and nutrients, enhance their value, allow society
to better cope with the impacts of floods and droughts and reduce the high economic
costs related to soil and water remediation and soil, sediment and water pollution
prevention, control and removal. R&I will benefit sustainable forest, agriculture and
ocean management and the delivery of multiple new products and services. Innovative
bio-based solutions will unlock the potential of sustainable bioeconomy and replace
fossil – based, carbon intensive and harmful materials with innovative, climate-neutral,
bio-based, circular, non-toxic materials and chemicals.
30. Food and nutrition security for all within planetary boundaries is ensured through
knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food
systems, which are sustainable, resilient, inclusive, safe and healthy from farm to fork.
R&I will be a key driver in accelerating the transition to sustainable, low ecological
footprint, healthy and inclusive food systems from primary production to consumption.
Farmers and primary producers will be empowered to manage land, animal resources,
90
soil, water and nutrients in sustainable ways, reduce the use of pesticides and
antimicrobials as well as excess fertilisation and to move towards more climate and
environment-friendly and resilient agriculture systems. The fish and seafood production
will rely on more sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, including with novel foods. Key
research areas include governance, Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems,
agroecology, organic farming and diversified farming systems, low trophic aquaculture,
plant and animal health (implementing the One-Health approach), animal nutrition,
animal welfare, the microbiome, alternative proteins for sustainable agriculture and
dietary shift, feed and food safety and traceability, personalised nutrition, prevention
and reduction of food losses and waste, and urban food systems transformation.
Innovative, climate smart, deforestation free, and sustainable food value chains with
balanced power relations will ensure access to a sufficient supply of affordable food
to citizens including when facing crisis situations. R&I will advance solutions to shift
to sustainable healthy diets. Efforts to boost digitalisation based on fair data economy
in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, at the food system and at consumption level
will foster the development of tailored digital technology-based solutions enabling
sustainability and transparency, as well as enhance data generation capacities and
enhance databases increasing their effectiveness.
31. Rural, coastal and urban areas are developed in a sustainable, balanced and
inclusive manner thanks to a better understanding of the environmental, socio-economic,
behavioural and demographic drivers of change as well as deployment of digital, social
and community-led innovations.
The differential impacts of climate, environmental, socio-economic and demographic

changes on rural, coastal and urban areas, will be better understood and turned into
equal opportunities for people wherever they live, enhancing territorial cohesion.
Transdisciplinary R&I with a strong social sciences dimension will improve understanding
of the political (regulatory) and socio-economic conditions for change, with an emphasis
on inequality and gender aspects and the behaviours and values of producers, consumers
and all other actors. People will have also more equitable access to knowledge and
skills required for making informed choices and being actively engaged in sustainable
management of natural resources, from production to consumption and disposal. Rural,
coastal and urban communities, in particular women and the most vulnerable groups
and those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, will see their labour conditions, quality
of life, access to services and long-term socio-economic prospects in the context of
major transitions and rising health threats improved. Their capacity to drive community-
led innovations will be enhanced. Mobilising the forces of digital transformation, nature-
based solutions, as well as social and policy innovation will facilitate those changes
and support smart, environment friendly, climate-neutral and resilient lifestyles. In
marine and costal environments, emphasis will be put on ecosystem protection, climate
adaptation and resilience.
91
32. Innovative governance models enabling sustainability and resilience are established
and monitored through enhanced and shared use of new knowledge, tools, foresight, and
environmental observations as well as digital, modelling and forecasting capabilities.
R&I will provide strong evidence-based knowledge and tools to support policy design,
implementation and monitoring for achieving the necessary transformative changes.
Environmental observations will be enhanced and metrics improved, including for ocean
exploration, conservation and the digital ocean. Particular efforts will be dedicated to support
the development of digital twins of the Earth systems in collaboration with the Destination
Earth initiative of the European strategy for data. By supporting better understanding of the
impacts of global changes, environmental observations as well as the application of digital and
big data technologies to assess socio-economic and environmental aspects, systems and flows
will provide solid and reliable information and enable sound decision making and adaptation
measures. Moreover, effective knowledge and innovation systems will encourage multi-actor,
risk-aware, place-based and community-led innovations to benefit all, from primary producers
to consumers. The EU’s and international science-policy interfaces will be strengthened with a
view to establish governance models fostering sustainable solutions to be applied.
Impact Areas associated to them31
KEY KSO B: Restoring Europe’s KSO C: Making Europe the first

STRATEGIC ecosystems and biodiversity, and digitally enabled circular, climate-
ORIENTATIONS managing sustainably natural neutral and sustainable economy
FOR R&I resources
IMPACT Enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity Circular and clean economy

AREAS on land and in waters
Clean and healthy air, water and soil
Sustainable food systems from farm to

fork on land and sea
EXPECTED 27. Climate neutrality and adaptation 29. Sustainable and circular
IMPACTS to climate change management of natural resources;
tackling pollution; bioeconomy
28. Preservation and restoration of
biodiversity and ecosystems 32. Innovative governance models
enabling sustainability, environmental
30. Food and nutrition security for all observation
from sustainable food systems from
farm to fork
31. Balanced development of rural,

coastal and urban areas
31
While the figure shows the cluster’s contribution to key strategic orientations B and C and corresponding impact areas, it should be noted that
92

COVERED
27. Climate neutrality and Environmental Observation; Water4All: Water Security for
adaptation to climate change Biodiversity and Natural Resources; the Planet
Agriculture, Forestry and Rural
Areas; Seas, Oceans and Inland
Waters; Food Systems; Bio-based
Innovation Systems in the EU Bio-
economy; Circular Systems
28. Preservation and Environmental Observation; Rescuing Biodiversity to
restoration of biodiversity and Biodiversity and Natural Resources; Safeguard Life on Earth
ecosystems Agriculture, Forestry and Rural
29. Sustainable and circular Environmental Observation; Circular bio-based Europe:
management of natural Biodiversity and Natural Resources; Sustainable, inclusive and
resources; tackling pollution; Agriculture, Forestry and Rural circular bio-based solutions2
bioeconomy Areas; Seas, Oceans and Inland
30. Food and nutrition Environmental Observation; Accelerating Farming Systems
security for all from Biodiversity and Natural Resources; Transition: Agro-ecology
sustainable food systems Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Living Labs and Research
from farm to fork Areas; Seas, Oceans and Inland Infrastructures
Waters; Food Systems; Bio-based Animal Health and Welfare
Innovation Systems in the EU Bio- Safe and Sustainable Food
economy; Circular Systems Systems for People, Planet and
Climate
31. Balanced development of Environmental Observation;
rural, coastal and urban areas Biodiversity and Natural Resources;
Agriculture, Forestry and Rural
32. Innovative governance Environmental Observation; Agriculture of Data
models enabling sustainability, Biodiversity and Natural Resources; A Climate Neutral, Sustainable
environmental observation Agriculture, Forestry and Rural and Productive Blue Economy
In the table, partnerships are indicated for the main impact area even if some of them contribute to several ones.
1
Candidate for Institutionalised European Partnership based on Article 187 TFEU that requires the preparation and adoption of a Commission
2

93
Global challenges require strong global collective engagement. Together with the Member
States, the Commission will increase its support to the Intergovernmental science-policy
Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as well as the International Resource
Panel (IRP). As a co-chair of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), it will seek to strengthen the
access in particular to Copernicus environmental observation data and information through the
Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). This will underpin environmental policies
and the global commitments of the SDGs, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-2030, the Paris Agreement and the future post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
International cooperation will be stepped up through strategic alliances in areas such as food
and nutrition security, animal health, soil, climate change, ecosystem restoration, forest and
water management, seas and oceans. This will not only involve bilateral, but also multilateral
cooperation, through existing networks, such as the Belmont Forum, the International
Bioeconomy Forum, the establishment of international research consortia (IRCs). The
establishment of one IRC is already expected in the area of soil and carbon. Another IRC is
foreseen in the area of biodiversity.
The development of an EU-African Union R&I Partnership will continue in areas such as food
and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and climate. Research and innovation Cooperation
with China as part of the Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology task force will continue. Sustained
R&I cooperation within the Arctic and in the Antarctic is increasingly important for understanding
the rapid changes taking place in the region and to predict their regional and global impacts,
and contribute to the implementation of the goals of the EU Arctic Policy.
Cooperation for all European sea basins will be key to achieve the strategic objectives
for seas and oceans, particularly through the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance and
the cooperation in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The EU will continue to work
with international partners to step up science, R&I in all European sea basins notably
to underpin international ocean governance and knowledge on climate variability. In the
Mediterranean, marine R&I cooperation with a significant number of members of the Union
for the Mediterranean will continue through the BLUEMED initiative. At the same time,
the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the Black Sea (SRIA) will be further
implemented, as the scientific pillar of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea
(CMA), under the framework of the Black Sea Synergy Initiative.
Both the European Commission and several EU Member States are actively cooperating with
international partners within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), especially in the context of the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy and its
Working Parties. Among the areas of future cooperation are the bio-based economy solutions,
circular urban bioeconomy and sustainability assessment methodologies of bio-based systems,
including biological feedstock, processes and products.
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1. HEALTH 1. Citizens of all ages stay healthy Impact of diet, nutrition, food safety on
and independent in a rapidly changing health, microbiome, personalised diets,
society thanks to healthier lifestyles consumer behaviour, improved water
and behaviours, healthier diets, quality
healthier environments, improved
evidence-based health policies, and Pollution reduction in particular from
more effective solutions for health agriculture and food production.
promotion and disease prevention. Environmental stressors and human
health. Links between health, water and
2. Living and working environments biodiversity, and oceans
are health-promoting and sustainable
thanks to better understanding of Nature-based solutions to improve
environmental, occupational, social physical and mental health and well-
and economic determinants of health. being. Links between human health and
animal health (One Health approach);
3. Tackling diseases and reducing AMR, biodiscovery and biotechnology –
disease burden. prospecting new bioactive compounds
from natural sources, understanding and
sustainably use biological resources, and
developing new drugs , prevention of
water borne diseases.
2. CULTURE, 7. Democratic governance is Knowledge gaps, integrated policies

CREATIVITY reinvigorated by improving the and place-based innovations taking
AND INCLUSIVE accountability, transparency, and into account the specific needs of rural
SOCIETY effectiveness and trustworthiness of communities
rule- of- law based institutions and
policies, and through the expansion Right to live in a healthy environment
of active and inclusive citizenship
empowered by the safeguarding of Innovative governance models and
fundamental rights behavioural change enabling transition
to sustainability; valuing natural capital
Balanced development of rural, coastal

and urban areas
Territorial, social and economic

cohesion, including accessibility and
affordability of safe and nutritious food
Natural and cultural heritage such

as rural, coastal and underwater
landscapes.
95
3. CIVIL 11. Losses from natural, accidental Prevention, adaptation and mitigation
SECURITY FOR and man-made disasters are of possible disaster impacts by
SOCIETY reduced through enhanced disaster protecting the environment.
risk reduction based on preventive
actions, better societal preparedness, Nature-based solutions for disaster
and resilience and improved disaster risk reduction and climate resilience
risk management in a systemic way. (preventing floods, droughts, heat
waves, forest fires, etc.). Coastal
defence against sea level rise by
building with nature.
Prevention against pandemics

and emerging infectious diseases
(including infectious animal diseases)
Resilient food supply chains
Resilient rural communities
Gaining environmental observation/

information about disasters
4. DIGITAL, 17. Globally attractive, secure and Activities in low-carbon and clean
INDUSTRY AND dynamic data-agile economy by industries; Raw materials; and
SPACE developing and enabling the uptake Advanced materials; Circular Economy;
of the next-generation computing and Environmental observation using
data technologies and infrastructures, satellite data
including space infrastructure and Ocean Observations,
data), enabling the European single Partnership Agriculture of Data,
market for data with the corresponding Blockchain technologies for e.g. increasing
data spaces; and a trustworthy artificial transparency e.g. along production chains,
intelligence ecosystem and leadership
in circular economy. Biodiversity monitoring and Genomics
data, Digitalisation, AI and Robotics
20. A human-centred and ethical in knowledge generation and sectors
development of digital and industrial linked to Cluster 6
technologies, through a two-way Increase efficiency and flexibility, and
engagement in the development of therefore the sustainability of the agri-
technologies, empowering end-users food, bio-based and blue bioeconomy
and workers, and supporting social value chains
innovation. Digital components and data
technologies as enablers for primary
sectors related value chains and rural
and coastal areas,
Blue economy
Life sciences and their convergence
with digital technologies for
prospecting, understanding and
sustainably use biological resources
Social innovation supported with
digitalisation in rural and coastal areas
96
5. CLIMATE, 21. Transition to a climate-neutral Reduction of GHG emissions in primary

ENERGY AND and resilient society and economy production sectors
MOBILITY enabled through advanced climate Sequestration and storage function
science, pathways and responses of ecosystems including marine
to climate change (mitigation ecosystems and soil
and adaptation) and behavioural Ocean-climate nexus
transformations. Marine renewable energy
Forest management for climate
mitigation
Coastal adaptation to sea level rise
Adaptation of water, agriculture and
forestry to climate change
Circularity for improving overall energy
and resources efficiency and thus also
carbon reduction
Climate neutral and resilient rural and
coastal communities
Nature-Based solutions for climate
resilience in rural and urban
environments (energy efficiency, built
environment, coastal defences)
Observations and knowledge about the
environment and climate
Specific advice shared across the EU on
matters related to climate, energy, etc.
Image credits:
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#252508849, #266009682, #273480523, #362422833, #222596698, #333945171, #225172715, #225172828,
#298595650, #292684095, #318273051, #357709743, #261604727, #261604828; ©Hanna, #343035399; ©pavelvinnik,
#265065833; 2020/21. Source: Stock.Adobe.com
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IN PERSON
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You can find the address of the centre nearest you at:
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The strategic plan 2021-24 defines the key strategic orientations for the first
four years of Horizon Europe, the EU’s multiannual framework programme
for research and innovation. It sets out the research and innovation priorities
to support a sustainable recovery and further accelerating the twin green and
digital transitions, ultimately leading to a climate-neutral and green Europe, fit
for the digital age, where the economy works for the people.
While the focus is on the Global challenges and European industrial

competitiveness’ pillar of Horizon Europe, the strategic plan also
covers relevant activities in the other two pillars and the part ‘Widening
Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area’, not least in
order to promote synergies between them.
In order to ensure the broadest possible ownership and optimise the overall
effects of Horizon Europe, the strategic plan has been prepared following an
ambitious co-design process involving Member States, EEA members, the
European Parliament, stakeholders and the public at large.
Research and Innovation policy

Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-24

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STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 - 2024

Contact Siv Jacobsen

Manuscript completed in February 2021.

PDF ISBN 978-92-76-31020-4 doi:10.2777/083753 KI-03-21-119-EN-N

2021 Directorate-General for Research and Innovation EN

KEY STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS................................................................7

EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS ......................................................................17

at which European research and innovation actions succeed in developing, upscaling,

Our efforts should be multiplied at international level. The integrated approach to

CO-DESIGN OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN

KEY STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS

• Promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of

• Restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably

• Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and

• Creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society,

A. PROMOTING AN OPEN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY BY LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT

CLUSTER 1 (Health) will increase Europe’s autonomy in delivering health care by

Cluster 4 will support the EU approach to technology development as human-centred

B. RESTORING EUROPE’S ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY, AND MANAGING

CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

C. MAKING EUROPE THE FIRST DIGITALLY ENABLED CIRCULAR, CLIMATE-

CLUSTER 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) will contribute to transform EU industries

CLUSTER 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) will contribute to achieving climate

CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

D. CREATING A MORE RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC EUROPEAN

CLUSTER 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) will contribute to tackling

strengthen disaster risk management in a systemic way, including through cross-sectoral

Finally, CLUSTER 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

CO-FUNDED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS:

• European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals

• European Partnership Water4all: Water security for the planet

CO-PROGRAMMED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS:

• European Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics

CO-FUNDED OR CO-PROGRAMMED EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP:

• European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness

The European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness may be co-funded or co-programmed

Reports delivered on 22 September 2020 and can be found here

Horizon Europe’s approach to international cooperation will consist of multilateralism

International cooperation will deploy along complementary directions:

• Collaborative research and innovation initiatives, including targeted

• International mobility and cooperation in frontier research and support to

• EU participation and leadership in multilateral alliances, such as those related

• Policy dialogues with third countries and regions aiming at reinforcing at a

BRIDGING BETWEEN THE

Gender equality and inclusiveness

Social Sciences and Humanities

Ethics and integrity

Open science practices

USE OF COPERNICUS AND GALILEO DATA AND SERVICES

Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E), including links to education and

Moreover, in order to facilitate the obligations of beneficiaries to report on their D&E

Key Enabling Technologies

breakthroughs to solving global challenges and achieving a circular, climate-neutral

Article 17 of the EU Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852

BACKGROUND & FRAMEWORK

CLUSTER IMPACT SUMMARY

HOW WILL CLUSTER 1 OF HORIZON EUROPE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

1. Expected impacts of cluster 1

2. Living and working in a health-promoting environment: Living and working environments

6. Maintaining an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive health-related industry: