The analysis explores whether the orientation and activities included in the new Strategic Plan should reflect the most important recent developments in EU and global policy, especially those impacting the future challenges and opportunities for R&I. This document also analyses the current status of R&I in the EU and evaluates what changes would be required in light of the first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

The analysis looks at relevant developments for the EU policy priorities and provides examples of the role that R&I play in addressing them. It incorporates tailor-made foresight, as well as state-of-the-art analysis, such as resulting from the Science, research and innovation performance (SRIP) of the EU 2022 reportEN•••. Moreover, a section on the societal demand for R&I draws on input gathered from a dedicated citizens’ engagement event held on 1 December 2022 and on the recently published results of the public consultationEN•••. Finally, the analysis provides an overview of current R&I activities and identifies gaps in existing efforts by using data on the implementation of Horizon Europe.

The analysis shows that R&I is at the forefront of the EU’s preparedness, resilience, security, and crisis response, as R&I activities have a specific capacity to offer innovative sustainable solutions to the societal, economic, environmental challenges facing Europe and the world. Another key message of the analysis is that the EU remains a scientific powerhouse and has improved its overall innovation performance in the past seven years, even though it is falling behind China and the USA in terms of scientific excellence (i.e. world share of top 1% most-cited scientific publications) and of research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP. The analysis also states that the EU is lagging behind China and the USA as regards the digital transition, but it is among the world leaders of the green transition. At last, the analysis states that significant R&I investments are necessary to deliver on the European Green Deal and to preserve the EU’s open strategic autonomy.

As the largest European R&I programme, Horizon Europe has the potential to drive public and private investments towards these challenges, through funding excellent and impactful R&I.

Background

The Strategic Plan sets out the policy priorities for Horizon Europe, as well as expected impacts. It is the basis for the work programmes covering Pillar II of Horizon Europe and its call topics.

One important aim of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan is to promote consistency between the work programmes, EU, and national priorities and to achieve continuity and coherence of funding measures beyond the (bi-)annual duration of work programmes. The current Strategic Plan covers the period 2021–2024.

The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025–2027 Analysis underpins the development of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025–2027 by providing a solid evidence base, as set out in the legal basis of Horizon Europe.

More information

Horizon Europe strategic planEN•••

The results of the public consultation on the future of EU Research and Innovation programmes are now publicEN•••