Strategic Funding Partners

Horizon Europe 2025-2027: Advancing a Resilient, Green, and Digital Europe

16 April 2025 · Strategic Funding Partners

<span style="color:#787774">Published 16 April 2025 · Strategic Funding Partners</span>

> Published in March 2024, the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 charts a visionary course for research and innovation (R&I) to address global challenges and secure Europe's future.

Published in March 2024, the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 charts a visionary course for research and innovation (R&I) to address global challenges and secure Europe's future. Under Pillar II - Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, six clusters drive progress in critical areas: Health (Cluster 1), Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society (Cluster 2), Civil Security for Society (Cluster 3), Digital, Industry, and Space (Cluster 4), Climate, Energy, and Mobility (Cluster 5), and Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment (Cluster 6).

The priorities set out in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027 are now being reflected in the draft 2025 Work Programmes for each cluster. While the Strategic Plan provides the high-level direction, the work programmes translate these into specific funding calls — making this a crucial time to align your strategy with both.

Cluster 1: Health

Cluster 1 is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of European citizens. It focuses on advancing personalised medicine, tackling emerging health threats like pandemics, addressing non-communicable diseases such as cancer, and managing health concerns related to mental health and ageing populations. Research emphasises health equity, ensuring access to innovative treatments for all, and supports the European Health Union. By integrating AI, data analytics, and digital health technologies, Cluster 1 accelerates the transition to preventative, patient-centred care.

Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society

Cluster 2 champions Europe's cultural heritage and promotes inclusive, democratic societies. It supports R&I to preserve cultural artifacts, promote social cohesion, and counter polarisation and disinformation. Projects explore migration, gender equality, and youth empowerment, and democratic governance, ensuring no one is left behind. By leveraging digital tools and promoting sustainable cultural practices, Cluster 2 enhances access to culture while aligning with the New European Agenda for Culture.

Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society

Cluster 3 strengthens Europe's security against threats like crime, terrorism, cyberattacks, and disasters. It invests in multi-hazard disaster risk management, cybersecurity, and border management, developing tools like AI-driven threat detection and resilient infrastructure, and advanced operational capabilities. Research aligns with the EU Security Union Strategy and supports societal resilience, ensuring security solutions respect human rights and foster trust.

Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space

Cluster 4 drives Europe's technological leadership in digital, industrial, and space domains. It focuses on AI, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, digital twins, virtual worlds, and space technologies like satellite navigation and earth observation. By promoting open strategic autonomy, it reduces reliance on foreign tech and supports SMEs through initiatives like the European Innovation Council. Cluster 4 aligns closely with the Digital Europe Programme for digital transformation.

Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, and Mobility

Cluster 5 tackles climate change and promotes sustainable energy and mobility. It supports renewable energy, carbon-neutral transport, electromobility, multimodal transport systems, smart charging infrastructure, and climate adaptation strategies. Research advances hydrogen technologies, smart grids, and cross-sectoral innovative solutions, contributing to the European Green Deal. By integrating digital technologies for improved energy management and transport efficiency, Cluster 5 bridges innovation with climate action.

Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment

Cluster 6 champions sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship. It invests in circular bioeconomy, biodiversity restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and food traceability technologies. Research develops alternative proteins, reduces food waste, and enhances soil health, aligning with the Farm to Fork Strategy. Cluster 6 ensures resilient ecosystems and equitable access to resources for future generations.

Synergies with Other EU Programs

Horizon Europe amplifies its impact through sequential synergies with other EU programs:

These synergies ensure efficient resource use, scaling innovations across sectors for maximum societal benefit.

Strategic Orientations

The plan's three strategic orientations shape the clusters' priorities, guiding R&I toward transformative outcomes. Below, we explore each in greater detail, highlighting their scope and contributions.

Green Transition

The green transition is central to Horizon Europe, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 and aligning with the European Green Deal. This orientation drives R&I to mitigate climate change, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable resource use. Cluster 5 leads with innovations in renewable energy (e.g., offshore wind, hydrogen), carbon-neutral transport (e.g., electric and autonomous vehicles), and climate adaptation tools to combat rising sea levels and extreme weather. Cluster 6 advances sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy practices, reducing waste and protecting biodiversity.

Digital Transition

The digital transition empowers Europe to lead in a connected, data-driven world, aligning with the Digital Decade goals for 2030. It focuses on harnessing AI, cybersecurity, and advanced computing to transform industries and societies. Cluster 4 is at the forefront, developing quantum technologies, 6G networks, and space-based systems like Galileo for navigation and Earth observation. Cluster 3 strengthens cybersecurity, creating quantum-resistant encryption and AI-driven threat detection to protect critical infrastructure.

Resilient, Competitive, Inclusive, and Democratic Europe

This orientation builds a Europe that is secure, equitable, and globally competitive, fostering open strategic autonomy and societal trust. Cluster 3 enhances resilience through security solutions, protecting against crime, terrorism, and hybrid threats while securing borders and critical infrastructure. Cluster 2 promotes inclusivity by addressing social challenges like migration and inequality, strengthening democratic institutions through research on governance and civic engagement.

Looking Ahead

The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 is a blueprint for a thriving Europe. By uniting Clusters 1-6, leveraging synergies with EU programs, and aligning with the green, digital, and resilient orientations, it addresses pressing challenges like climate change, geopolitical tensions, and technological disruption. This plan positions Europe as a global leader in innovation, ensuring a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and secure.

Curious about specific projects or funding opportunities? Why not speak to us about it?