The EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon 2020, has been instrumental in helping the Western Balkans achieve excellent levels of science, competitive industries and improving society. With nearly 80 billion euros of available funding for the period 2014-2020, in addition to the private and national public investment the money has attracted. With nearly 80 billion euros of available funding for the period 2014-2020, in addition to the private and national public investment the money has attracted, Horizon 2020 is one of the biggest EU research and innovation programmes in the world. Supporting the Europe 2020 growth strategy, it places research and innovation at the centre of smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth while tackling societal challenges

The European Commission has announced to spend €30 billion of the EU research and innovation funding programme Horizon 2020 during 2018-2020, including €2.7 billion to kick-start a European Innovation Council. During 2018-2020, the Commission seeks greater impact of its research funding by focusing on fewer, but critical topics such as migration, security, climate, clean energy and digital economy. Horizon 2020 is also more geared towards boosting breakthrough, market-creating innovation. Currently, the Horizon 2020 has entered its last year of implementation, spending the last and biggest annual tranche - €11 billion.