Horizon Europe Research Fund

Horizon Europe and New Zealand

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation, with a budget of more than €95 billion. It is built around three main pillars (New Zealand is an associated country of Pillar 2 only):

1. Excellent Science: Supports frontier research projects, fellowships, and exchanges for researchers.
2. Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness: Addresses societal challenges and promotes industrial competitiveness.
3. Innovative Europe: Focuses on innovation and technology development.

Horizon Europe – Pillar 2

Horizon Europe Pillar 2 focuses on science and technologies to address major global challenges, such as climate change, energy and health, and addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It has funding of €53.5 billion (approximately NZD$90 billion) over the 2021 to 2027 period.

Horizon Europe Pillar 2 actions are structured in 6 thematic 'Clusters', with each having a published work programme outlining topics to be addressed in the current period. The work programmes include details of the scope of the topics, the expected impacts and outcomes, the available budget, and any conditions relating to the call.

The details of each Cluster, including links to the current work programmes and details of the relevant New Zealand National Contacts for each Cluster, are linked on the pages below.

• Cluster 1: Health
• Cluster 3: Civil security and society
• Cluster 4: Digital, industry and space
• Cluster 5: Climate, energy and mobility
• Cluster 6: Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

Who can apply

Proposals for most Pillar 2 actions are made by multinational research consortia with partners from a minimum of 3 EU Member States or Associated Countries (note that these are minimum criteria, and most proposals include additional partners).

The program is open to any legal entity, meaning that alongside researchers in traditional research organisations, partners can include businesses, local or regional authorities, non-government organisations, community groups and more.

How to get started

Pillar 2 has a strong focus on impact and implementation, so bringing the right mix of partners to deliver the expected outcomes is a key to being successful. It’s essential to find your partners early in the process.

Good ways to get started are:

• Browsing the work programme of the relevant Cluster for open and forthcoming calls by following the links above
• Reaching out to your networks in Europe as early as possible to find partners and build your consortium
• Speaking to one of the National Contact Points for advice

Further information on Horizon Europe for New Zealand entities

How to apply for Horizon Europe funding

All Horizon Europe proposal submission and contracting takes place through the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal. The portal has all the documentation, guidance, and details of funding calls. Every project requires one participant to act as the coordinator, and the coordinator manages all of the inputs from the consortium partners.

EU Funding & Tenders Portal(external link) – European Commission

Rosalynd (Rosie) Boxall – NCP Legal and Finance

• Researcher Manager International, University of Auckland
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Email: LegalandFinancialNCP@mbie.govt.nz

The Legal and Financial National Contact Point (L&F NCP) provides guidance and support to help participants navigate the financial and legal requirements of Horizon Europe. This includes advising on budgeting, reporting, eligible costs, compliance, and audit, as well as offering guidance on contracts, intellectual property, data protection, and ethical considerations.

However, while the L&F NCP can offer resources, advice, and practical guidance, this does not constitute legal or financial services, and the role does not replace that of a qualified legal or accounting professional. Information about the EU Framework Programme provided by the New Zealand NCPs is advisory and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that applications and projects meet the necessary requirements under EU regulations.

Please note the L&F NCP role is part time (one day a week) and enquiries may not be responded to immediately.

Participating in other parts of Horizon Europe

Although New Zealand remains a non-associated third country participant in Pillar 1 and Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe, there are still many possibilities for New Zealand researchers to be involved. These will mostly fund New Zealand researchers to work internationally, although there are some cases where researchers can be supported to work in New Zealand.

If you’d like to know more see the additional information and guidance page.

Further information on Horizon Europe for New Zealand entities

Cécile Richardeau – NCP for Pillar I (ERC, MSCA)

• New Zealand Mission to the European Union
• Brussels, Belgium
• Email: nzncp@mbie.govt.nz

Note that the MBIE top-up scheme does not apply to actions outside of Pillar 2.

Upcoming events

Further information

MBIE support

For more information or advice, contact our Horizon Europe secretariat by emailing:

nzncp@mbie.govt.nz

Or see the following page for more detailed information from MBIE on participation of New Zealand entities in Horizon Europe.

Further information on Horizon Europe for New Zealand entities

To receive occasional updates and information by email subscribe to the topics of interest.

Receive updates(external link)

European Commission guidance

Horizon Europe guidance and reference documents are available through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Horizon Europe reference documents and guidance(external link) — European Commission

Other useful resources are available from EURAXESS Australia and New Zealand, an initiative of the European Commission providing free information about European research, career opportunities, international collaboration & networking possibilities.

EURAXESS Australia and New Zealand(external link) — European Commission

Documents on the House of Representatives website

Parliamentary Treaty Examination: Report of the EDSI Select Committee [PDF, 528KB](external link) — House of Representatives NZ