REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the European Union and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2025
Date: 2026-05-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, European Atomic Energy Society, Framework Programme for Research and Development, activity report, competitiveness, innovation, nuclear research, research and development, scientific cooperation

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 28.5.2026  COM(2026) 255 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Annual Report on Research and Technological Development Activities of the European Union and Monitoring of Horizon Europe in 2025  
 
 
1. 

BACKGROUND 

This  report  provides  an  overview  of  the  EU’s  key  research  and  innovation  (R&I) 
activities  and  monitoring  of  Horizon  Europe  and  the  Euratom  Research  and  Training 
Programme in 2025. 

It  was  drafted  in  accordance  with  Article 190  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the 
European  Union  (TFEU)  and  Article 7  of  the  Euratom  Treaty,  in  conjunction  with 
Article 50 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 
and with Article 12 of Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765 establishing the Research 
and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community. 

2. 

POLITICAL CONTEXT AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 

In 2025, R&I have been integral to advancing key EU initiatives, underscoring their vital 
role in enhancing competitiveness. The following section delves into the transformative 
impact of these developments across sectors, affirming the EU’s commitment to fostering 
an economy centred on innovation. 

2.1. 

Europe’s sustainable prosperity, single market and competitiveness 

The Choose Europe initiative was launched in May and seeks to make Europe the  most 
attractive destination for researchers. Meanwhile, the EU startup and scaleup strategy 
aims  at  making  the  EU  the  leading  hub  for  technology-driven  startup  and  scaleup 
companies.  The  Commission  also  adopted  the  European  strategy  for  research  and 
technology 
industry-aligned 
infrastructure.  

to  foster  world-class,  accessible  and 

infrastructures 

The  2025  European  Semester  focused  on  the  Competitiveness  Compass’  priorities, 
including closing the innovation gap. Reflecting this priority, 26 Member States received 
a country-specific recommendation on R&I. 

At  sectoral  level,  the  Commission  worked  with  road  transport  and  batteries  relevant 
partners  associations  through  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  and  its  deliverables,  to 
implement  R&I  activities  from  the  new  industrial  action  plan  for  the  European 
automotive sector. R&I also contributed to the new EU Space Act proposal, aiming to 
foster  innovation  and  a  stable  business  environment.  Alongside  this,  the  Commission 
issued  a  Communication  outlining  a  vision  for  the  European  space  economy.  The 
Commission  adopted  the  Vision  for  Agriculture  and  Food  –  highlighting  R&I  as 
catalysts for an attractive, competitive and fair agri-food system. The chemicals industry 
action  plan  strengthens  the  industry’s  competitiveness,  sustainability  and  resilience  by 
boosting  innovation.  The  Commission  adopted  a  new  EU  bioeconomy  strategy  and  a 
European Biotech  Act,  with aspects  relating to  green technologies  and competitiveness 
in the field of food and health.  

Furthermore, the Commission adopted the life sciences strategy, positioning the EU as a 
global hub for innovation across health, biotech, food systems and green manufacturing 
by 2030. 

 
 
 
R&I also contributed to the New European Bauhaus (NEB) supporting projects for the 
transformation  of  the  built  environment  of  neighborhoods.  The  Communication  on  the 
New  European  Bauhaus  and  the  proposal  for  a  Council  Recommendation  on  the  NEB 
recognise the contribution of NEB projects to R&I.  

2.2. 

Strategic autonomy, defence and security 

Like  competitiveness,  security  and  resilience  are  policy  imperatives  closely  linked  to 
innovation.  The  following  policy  strategies,  put  forward  by  the  Commission  in  2025, 
identify dual-use research, innovation and technology as key aspects: 

• 

the European Preparedness Union strategy 

•  ProtectEU – a European internal security strategy  

• 

the  White  Paper  on  EU  Defence  –  Readiness  2030,  followed  by  the  Defence 
Readiness Roadmap 2030 

• 

the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap  

These highlight the importance of leveraging Europe’s wider civilian research and deep-
tech innovation ecosystem for defence readiness. 

With the defence mini-omnibus, co-legislators provisionally agreed to  extend the scope 
of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) to cover defence technologies 
and  allow  the  EIC  Accelerator  to  support  dual-use  and  defence  innovation.  The  2025 
mid-term  review  of  cohesion  policy  strengthened  support  for  STEP investments  and 
into  cohesion 
created  new  opportunities 
programmes.  

integrate  emerging  R&I  priorities 

to 

2.3. 

Green transition 

The  Commission  advanced  the  EU’s  green  transition  through  coordinated  industrial, 
environmental  and  research  initiatives  to  turn  decarbonisation  into  a  driver  of 
competitiveness.  In  February,  the  Commission  launched  the  Clean  Industrial  Deal, 
setting  out  action  for  energy-intensive  industries,  clean  technologies  and  circularity.  In 
parallel, the Research Fund for Coal  and Steel  was reformed to simplify and accelerate 
R&I investments that support the decarbonisation of the coal and steel sectors. 

Biodiversity,  water,  oceans  and  pollution  were  addressed  through  integrated, 
innovation-driven approaches. One example in biodiversity was the new Soil Monitoring 
Law,  supporting  the  objective  of  healthy  soils  by  2050.  The  European  water  resilience 
strategy promotes water security through water cycle restoration, a water-smart economy 
and  access  to  clean  and  affordable  water  for  all.  The  European  Ocean  Pact  prioritises 
ocean research, skills and innovation.  

Climate and energy policies continued to rely heavily on science and innovation. New 
initiatives  in  2025  included  the  publication  of  a  strategic  R&I  agenda  on  health  and 
climate change. In energy, the action plan for affordable energy, the 2025 progress report 
on  competitiveness  of  clean  energy  technologies,  the  Communication  on  innovative 
renewable energy technologies, and the European Grids Package all reinforced the role of 
innovation in accelerating the cost-effective deployment of clean energy. 

2 

 
2.4. 

AI and digital transition 

In October, the Commission adopted its strategy for AI in science. A flagship project is 
the creation  of the Resource for AI Science in  Europe (RAISE)  virtual  institute, which 
will  pool  and  align  European  scientific  talent  and  excellence,  computational  power, 
scientific data and research funding.  

The following developments in digital technology also guided the work on R&I.  

•  On  AI,  moving  from  regulation  to  delivery,  the  Commission  adopted  the  AI 
Continent action plan and the Apply AI strategy. Further to the announcement of 
InvestAI,  the  EU  expanded  the  network  of  AI  Factories,  strengthening  its  ‘AI 
Continent’ ambition, paving the way for future AI Gigafactories.  

•  On  quantum  technology,  the  Commission  rolled  out  the  Quantum  Europe 

strategy, aiming to position Europe as a global leader in the field by 2030.  

•  The  Cultural  Heritage  Cloud  was  expanded  and  now  involves  187  partner 
organisations  covering  all  Member  States  and  Horizon  Europe  associated 
countries. 

•  The  European  Digital  Twin  of  the  Ocean  prototype  was  presented  by  President 

von der Leyen at the United Nations Ocean Conference in June. 

•  The  International  Digital  Strategy  was  adopted,  aiming  to  boost  EU  tech 
competitiveness and innovation capacity in collaboration with partners and allies. 

2.5. 

Partnership with Member States 

Regarding  R&I  measures  in  the  Recovery  and  Resilience  Facility  (RRF),  351  R&I-
related  milestones  and  targets  have  been  met.  The  RRF  model  is  proving  effective  in 
driving  R&I  investments  and  transformative  reforms  across  the  EU,  according  to  a 
dedicated study on R&I in the RRF. In terms of synergies with cohesion policy, budget 
transfers  from  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund  to  Horizon  Europe  are  being 
implemented in Malta and Lithuania.   

Bilateral  discussions  between  the  Commission  and  Member  States  were  deepened 
throughout  the  year  through  enhanced  dialogues  with  Denmark,  Bulgaria,  Portugal, 
Finland  and  Spain.  Moreover,  the  Policy  Support  Facility  continued  to  help  Member 
States and  associated countries to reform their R&I systems. Country-specific activities 
for  Bulgaria,  Czechia,  Finland  and  Ukraine  were  concluded.  Mutual  learning  exercises 
were held on the topics of research careers, national policies for AI in science, bridging 
the gap between science and policy, and public engagement in R&I, with a high number 
of  countries  involved.  In  addition,  the  triennial  ‘She  Figures’  report  was  published  to 
support  Member  States  and  stakeholders  in  improving  gender  equality  within  the 
European Research Area. 

The  new  European  Commission–OECD  Science,  Technology  and  Innovation  Policy 
Compass was launched, aggregating data on R&I policy initiatives and trends in a single 
platform.  

3 

 
2.6. 

A global Europe  

The  EU  continued  to  support  Ukraine’s  recovery  by  launching  the  International 
Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine, together with Ukraine, Italy 
and UNESCO. 

Partnerships with Africa and the Mediterranean were also reinforced, notably through 
negotiations for an EU–Nigeria Science and Technology Agreement and the renewal of 
PRIMA  agreements  with  Jordan,  Lebanon  and  Morocco.  Strategic  cooperation  with 
key  global  partners  deepened,  including  through  the  EU–India  Trade  and  Technology 
Council. Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean gained momentum with 
the first EU–CELAC Ministerial Meeting on R&I. 

While  the  year  started  with  the  successful  renewal  of  the  EU–US  Science  and 
Technology  Agreement,  subsequent  US  policy  shifts  have  affected  key  areas  such  as 
climate  action.  In  this  context,  the  EU  maintained  open  dialogue  and  reinforced 
multilateral initiatives, particularly in climate and ocean observation.  

This commitment to multilateralism was reflected in the adoption of the G20 Tshwane 
Package,  which  promotes  open  innovation,  and  the  EU’s  strengthened  role  in  global 
science  diplomacy.  Additionally,  the  Commission  co-chaired  the  Group  on  Earth 
Observations  Global  Forum  2025  and  chaired  the  All-Atlantic  Ocean  Research  and 
Innovation  Alliance.  The  Commission  organised  the  Alliance’s  forum  in  September,  at 
which  the  All-Atlantic  Network  of  Coastal  Resilience  Beacon  Sites  and  the  Blue 
Intergenerational  Programme  were  launched.  Within  Mission  Innovation,  the  EU 
accelerated the clean energy transition, identifying 101 Hydrogen Valley projects across 
38 countries. 

Horizon Europe plays a crucial role in supporting Global Gateway priority areas. 

2.7. 

Non-nuclear  direct  actions  implemented  by  the  Commission’s  Joint 
Research Centre (JRC) 

The  JRC  produced  824  peer‑reviewed  publications  and  917  science‑for‑policy  and 
technical outputs. Highlights include the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

an  outlook  report  on  generative  AI  providing  a  forward-looking  analysis  of  its 
transformative  potential  in  the  EU,  including  the  socio-economic  impact  on 
healthcare, education, employment and beyond;  

the launch of a new JRC Border Security Lab, a network of laboratories working 
closely with EU law enforcement agencies; 

a new  edition of  the  Atlas  of  Migration,  offering  a  harmonised  overview  of 
worldwide migration;  

a  science  for  policy  report  on  capturing  the  potential  of  the  circular  economy 
transition in energy-intensive industries; 

the  launch  of  the  Transport Poverty  Hub,  enabling  interventions  and  progress 
monitoring towards more inclusive EU transport systems. 

4 

 
• 

two new atlases on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – covering for the first time 
cities in enlargement countries. 

3. 

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF HORIZON EUROPE & EURATOM 

3.1. 

Horizon Europe in 2025 – highlights & new features 

2025 was characterised by major programming developments for the final three years of 
Horizon  Europe  2021-2027.  The  Horizon  Europe  ‘main’  work  programme  2025  was 
adopted in May, followed by the ‘main’ work programme 2026-2027 in December. Both 
work  programmes  placed  a  strong  emphasis  on  simplification,  with  the  latter  also 
introducing the use of horizontal calls in strategic areas. 

Association of third countries to Horizon Europe  

The  number  of  associated  countries  reached  22.  Several  association  agreements  were 
signed during the year:  while Switzerland  and Egypt  joined the entire  Horizon Europe, 
the  Republic  of  Korea  joined  its  Pillar  II.  The  combined  operational  contribution  from 
associated countries in 2025 was EUR 3.3 billion, with over 15 500 participations since 
the beginning of this framework programme.   

3.2. 

Horizon Europe simplification 

2025 marked a turning point for the simplification of the EU R&I support landscape.  

Horizon  Europe  delivered  the  following  practical  reforms  that  reduced  administration 
and accelerated innovation outcomes. 

•  Lump sum funding was gradually rolled out, reducing the need to report actual 
costs  and  facilitating  participation,  particularly  for  SMEs  and  newcomers.  The 
key  objectives  are  to  reduce  administrative  complexity  for  beneficiaries  and 
financial errors.  

•  The  work  programmes  proposed  fewer  topics,  with  shorter  descriptions,  and  a 
shortened  work  programme  text.  They  also  introduced  more  open  topics,  while 
maintaining strategic direction. 

•  Proposal requirements were streamlined, with less upfront information required 

on several policy-related aspects, resulting in a shorter proposal form. 

•  Two-stage evaluation was used for 29 topics, allowing applicants to first submit 
shorter proposals and only prepare full proposals if selected for the second stage. 
Many of these short proposals are evaluated blindly, as a way to avoid potential 
risk of bias. 

•  Transparency  was  enhanced  by  making  draft  work  programme  texts  publicly 

accessible.  

Implementation  dialogues  and  reality  checks  enabled  direct  feedback  from  startups, 
researchers  and  innovators  on  bottlenecks  in  proposal  submission,  evaluation  and  grant 
management, helping to identify priorities for further simplification. 

5 

 
 
Implementation  was  simplified  through  improved  digital  tools.  The  user-friendliness 
and  functionality  of  the  EU  Funding  &  Tenders  Portal  were  further  enhanced  and  the 
new ‘EU funding & me’ mobile app was introduced, in a process informed by a survey of 
30 000 applicants and beneficiaries. 

3.3. 

Horizon Europe monitoring data 

Funding opportunities 

Source: Commission internal monitoring systems, 6/1/2026 

The  787  calls  for  proposals  under  the  2021-2025  work  programmes  covered  a  total  of 
3 061 research topics with a budget of EUR 67.9 billion.  

Project proposals and success rates 

Source: Commission internal monitoring systems, 5/1/2026 

Interest  in  the programme remained strong with  148 884 eligible proposals  submitted1 
over the period 2021-2025. Their overall quality remained stable, with  over half of the 
eligible proposals (57%) reaching the minimum evaluation score threshold.  

By  January  2026,  21  329  proposals  had  been  selected  for  funding  for  a  total  estimated 
EU contribution of EUR 57.4 billion. The success rate of proposals decreased to 14% as 
compared  to  15.3%  in  January  2025  but  remained  higher  than  under  Horizon  2020 
overall (11.9%).  

Approximately 70% of proposals that passed the threshold for funding were not financed. 
An estimated  EUR 118.5 billion  of additional funding  would have been needed to  fund 
all such proposals submitted over 2021-2025. 

Funded projects 

As  of  end  2025,  EUR  52.8  billion  were  awarded  through  19 456  grants.  The  average 
grant  size  remained  stable  at  EUR  2.7  million,  higher  than  under  Horizon  2020 
(EUR 2.3 million2), with an average of six participants per project.  

The European Innovation Council (EIC) also includes an equity investment instrument, 
the EIC Fund, aimed at the most innovative startups and scaleups. On top of the figures 
presented in the table below, the EIC Fund has approved over EUR 2.3 billion in equity 
investments  for  Horizon  Europe  beneficiaries,  of  which  EUR 931.9  million  has  been 
disbursed so far.3 

Programme part 

Eligible 
proposals 

Accepted 
proposal
s 

Success  rate 
of  proposals 
(% 
of 
eligible) 

Share of high 
quality 
proposals (% 
of eligible) 

Signed 
grants 

EU contribu-
tion in signed 
grants 
(in 
EUR million) 

Average 
size 
EUR million)  

grant 
(in 

Pillar 1 - Excellent Science 

1 Number of eligible proposals submitted only under the calls that are closed and fully evaluated. 
2 SME instrument not included. 
3 For more information about EIC Fund supported ventures, see EIC Impact Report 2025. 

6 

 
 
 
Programme part 

European 
Council (ERC) 

Research 

Marie 
Skłodowska-
Curie Actions (MSCA) 

Eligible 
proposals 

Accepted 
proposal
s 

Success  rate 
of  proposals 
of 
(% 
eligible) 

Share of high 
quality 
proposals (% 
of eligible) 

Signed 
grants 

EU contribu-
tion in signed 
(in 
grants 
EUR million) 

Average 
size 
EUR million)  

grant 
(in 

41 431 

5 781 

14% 

27% 

5 651 

10 199 

1.8 

56 730 

8 152 

14% 

82% 

6 692 

3 893 

0.6 

Research infrastructures  402 

170 

42% 

86% 

179 

1 230 

6.9 

Pillar II - Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness 

Cluster 1 – Health 

2 753 

640 

23% 

Cluster  2  –  Culture, 
creativity  and  inclusive 
society 

2 460 

339 

14% 

55% 

59% 

657 

350 

5 269 

8 

1 178 

3.4 

Cluster 
security for society 

3 

–  Civil 

Cluster  4  –  Digital, 
industry and space 

Cluster  5  –  Climate, 
energy  and  mobility 
(including 
NEB 
Facility) 

Cluster  6  –  Food, 
natural 
bioeconomy, 
resources, 
agriculture 
and environment 

1 533 

183 

12% 

64% 

194 

820 

4.2 

6 947 

1287 

19% 

74% 

1169 

8 426 

7.2 

7 093 

1264 

18% 

61% 

1311 

9 135 

7 

4 114 

845 

21% 

71% 

839 

4 938 

5.9 

Pillar III – Innovative Europe 

European 
Council (EIC) 

Innovation 

20 340 

1 417 

7% 

33% 

1 330 

3 532 

2.7 

European 
ecosystems 

innovation 

1 502 

275 

18% 

58% 

282 

304 

1.1 

European  Institute  of 
Innovation 
and 
Technology (EIT)4 

40 

36 

90% 

100% 

35 

2 115 

60.4 

Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area 

4 The figure only refers to the grants initiating the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, which are 
then tasked with implementing the activities. 

7 

 
 
 
Programme part 

Widening  participation 
spreading 
and 
excellence 

and 
Reforming 
enhancing the European 
R&I system 

Eligible 
proposals 

Accepted 
proposal
s 

Success  rate 
of  proposals 
of 
(% 
eligible) 

Share of high 
quality 
proposals (% 
of eligible) 

Signed 
grants 

EU contribu-
tion in signed 
(in 
grants 
EUR million) 

Average 
size 
EUR million)  

grant 
(in 

3 165 

831 

26% 

77% 

657 

1 487 

2.3 

374 

109 

29% 

69% 

110 

236 

2.1 

Total 
Europe 

for  Horizon 

148 88
4 

21 32
9 

14% 

57% 

19 456 

52 760 

2.7 

Table  1  Proposals  and  signed  grants  per  programme  part,  over  2021-2025  (Source:  Horizon  Proposals 
and Projects Dashboards frozen on 5/1/2026) 

Addressing EU policy priorities 

Source: Horizon Europe Performance Programme Statement 

R&I  play  a  central  role  in  accelerating  the  green  transition.  So  far,  Horizon  Europe  is 
well on track to meet its target of 35% of spending allocated to address climate change, 
while further work will be needed to reach the target of 10% spending for biodiversity for 
2026-2027. 

In  2025,  an  estimated  EUR  58.7 million  was  also  allocated  to  projects  whose  principal 
objective  is  to  improve  gender  equality  and  EUR  1 848  million  to  projects  that  will 
contribute to gender equality.  

Applicants and beneficiaries 

Source: Commission internal monitoring systems, 5/1/2026 

The  projects  signed  in  the  first  five  years  of  the  programme  involve  31  006  distinct 
participants from 175 different countries, including 35% participation5 from SMEs. On 
average, each participant takes part in 3.9 projects. 

New  participants  in  the  programme  (‘newcomers’)  represent  55%  of  all  participants 
compared to 54% a year ago. Newcomers’ participation rate (i.e. the average number of 
projects joined by each participant) is lower than that of non-newcomers (1.2 versus 5). 
Newcomers mainly  come from  the private sector –  with  many being SMEs  – and have 
been granted 16.7% of all Horizon Europe funding so far.  

The  highest  shares  of  participants  come  from  higher  education  institutions  (35%), 
receiving the highest financial contribution (EUR 19 billion). Private-sector entities and 

5 Of unique participants. 

8 

 
 
 
 
research  organisations  represent  30%  and  22%  of  participation  and  receive  EUR 
13.5 billion and 14 billion respectively.  

Participants from Member States account for 80% of all eligible applications submitted, 
with 19% originating from ‘widening’ countries. Overall, Member States were awarded 
EUR 47.3 billion or 89.6% of the funds. Widening Member States6 were awarded 13.1% 
of the funds, a higher share than for the same countries under Horizon 2020.  

The reporting method  for Horizon Europe  associated countries has been  adapted in the 
table below to reflect the date when the association agreement became effective.  

Country group 

Applications 
in eligible 
proposals 

% of 
total 
applicati
ons 

Success 
rate of 
applicatio
n 

Participati
on in 
signed 
grants 

% of 
all 
parti
cipati
ons 

EU 
contribut
ion in 
signed 
grants 
(in 
million 
EUR) 

% of 
total EU 
contribut
ion in 
signed 
grants 

Member 
(MS) 

States 

518 481 

80%  

18% 

99 895 

83%  47 292 

89% 

  Non-widening 
countries 

  Widening 
countries 

Associated  country 
(without 
Switzerland) 

Switzerland 
– 
associated country 

Switzerland  –  non-
associated 
third 
country 

395 074 

61%  

19%  

79 093 

66%  40 371 

76% 

123 407 

19%  

16% 

20 802 

17%  6 921 

13% 

61 637 

10%  

15% 

8 613 

7% 

4 470 

8.5% 

2 690 

0.4% 

14% 

75 

92 

0.2% 

0.1
% 

12 101 

2% 

21% 

2 827 

2% 

126 

0.2% 

Third countries 

49 748 

8%  

20% 

9 062 

7% 

780 

1% 

TOTAL 

644 657 

- 

- 

120472 

- 

52 761 

- 

Table 2: Applicants’ and beneficiaries’ country of origin  

Key impact pathways 

Source: KIPs dashboard frozen on 5/1/2026 

6  Member  States  only  (Bulgaria,  Czechia,  Estonia,  Greece,  Croatia,  Cyprus,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary, 
Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia). 

9 

 
 
 
Key  impact  pathways  (KIPs)  were  introduced  in  Horizon  Europe  to  track  the 
programme’s impact through short-, medium- and longer-term indicators.  

Data  is  based  mainly  on  the  project’s  periodic  reporting  system.  2  664  projects  (14%) 
were closed at the time of this analysis and 40% of projects had completed at least one 
periodic  report.  As  most  medium-term  and  longer-term  indicators  need  a  significant 
number  of  projects  to  finish  before  giving  meaningful  results,  this  section  focuses  on 
short-term indicators only. 

Scientific impact 

•  Horizon Europe projects have so far reported 18 478 peer-reviewed publications 

(KIP 1). 

•  Horizon Europe involves 126 407 early-career researchers (KIP 2), 44% of whom 

are women.  

•  80.8%  of  research  outputs  produced  by  the  programme  (publications,  datasets, 

software) were made available in open access via beneficiaries (KIP 3). 

Societal impact 

•  Over  99%  of  all  Horizon  Europe  outputs  are  tagged  as  relevant  for  one  of  the 
policy priorities of the EU – either the priorities of the 2019-2024 Commission, 
the  Sustainable  Development  Goals,  or  climate  adaptation/mitigation  goals 
(KIP 4)7.  

•  EU  Mission  projects  have  produced  206  peer-reviewed  publications  and  284 

innovative results (KIP 5).  

•  41% of projects have structured mechanisms to involve the public or end users in 

the co-creation of R&I content (KIP 6). 

Economic/technological impact  

•  Projects  have  reported  7  645  innovative  outputs  (products,  processes,  methods, 
etc.).  Additionally,  beneficiaries  have  already  declared  283  non-confidential 
intellectual  property  right  outputs,  of  which  94  patent  applications  –  a  number 
that is expected to increase  once confidentiality is lifted from most applications 
(KIP 7). 

•  Funded projects support at least 95 798 jobs (full-time equivalent employees) in 

participating legal entities (KIP 8).  

•  Alongside  the  initial  investment  from  the  EU,  project  participants  have  made 

direct co-investments of at least EUR 12.9 billion (KIP 9).  

Focus on European partnerships 

Source: Horizon Projects Dashboard frozen on 5/1/2026 

7 JRC and EIT are not included in the calculation.  

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By  the  end  of  2025,  54  European  partnerships  were  active,  with  two  that  were  to  be 
signed in January 2026 and another four to be signed later. A total of 1 345 grants were 
signed  across  all  partnerships,  involving  9  568  unique  participants  and  representing  an 
EU contribution of EUR 12.5 billion.  

Since 2021, 10 active joint undertakings8 have signed 701 grants amounting to a total 
of  EUR  6.7  billion  and  involving  5 350  unique  participants.  Additionally,  EUR  4.3 
billion  from  Horizon  Europe  supported  11  co-programmed  partnerships,  with  635 
grants to 4 944 distinct organisations. With regard to co-funded partnerships, 18 grant 
agreements  have  been  signed  for  a  total  of  EUR  1.5  billion,  involving  754  unique 
participants.  

Focus on EU missions 

Source: Horizon Proposals and Projects Dashboards frozen on 5/1/2026 

In the 2025 work programme, nine mission calls were launched. Between 2021 and 2025, 
mission-related calls attracted 1 515 eligible proposals. 321 grants were signed, involving 
3 845 beneficiaries and totalling EUR 2.48 billion. 

3.4. 

In-depth analysis: Horizon Europe monitoring flashes and other studies 

Several  thematic  reports  on  Horizon  Europe  implementation  and  performance  were 
published in 2025: 

•  a  monitoring  flash  presenting  an  overview  of  gender  equality  in  EU  R&I 

programmes; 

•  a  monitoring  flash  presenting  Horizon  Europe’s  contribution  to  the  five  EU 

Missions; 

•  a study developing a quantification of Horizon Europe’s environmental benefits, 

particularly through energy or resource savings; 

•  a  study  assessing  the  macroeconomic  impact  of  Horizon  Europe  on  GDP  and 

employment; 

•  a monitoring flash on the use of technology readiness levels in Horizon Europe; 

•  a study taking stock of 20 years of EU-funded (civilian) security research. 

Horizon Europe interim evaluation 

In  April,  the  Commission  published  the  interim  evaluation  of  Horizon  Europe.  A 
Communication was also issued to the European Parliament and the Council, providing 
lessons  learned  and  proposals  for  future  action.  Key  findings  show  Horizon  Europe’s 
strong impact through tangible innovations and its scientific excellence. The programme 
amplifies  the  impact  of  innovation,  with  each  euro  invested  through  the  EIC  Fund 
attracting  over  three  euro  in  private  investment.  Participation  from  widening  Member 
States has also increased to 58% from 47% under Horizon 2020. 

8 Institutionalised partnerships based on Article 187 TFEU. 

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Impact  assessment  and  proposal  for  future  Horizon  Europe  and  European 
Competitiveness Fund 

The  Commission  also  published  an  impact  assessment  for  the  future  Horizon  Europe 
(2028-2034)  and  a  new  European  Competitiveness  Fund.  It  subsequently  adopted 
proposals  for  the  two  interconnected  programmes,  which  will  support  the  entire 
innovation journey from lab to market. Following their adoption by the Commission in 
July, the proposals are now being negotiated by the co-legislators.  

3.5. 

Dissemination and exploitation 

The  Commission  continued  to  run  and  develop  the  Horizon  Results  Platform  and  the 
Booster service to support Horizon Europe beneficiaries in disseminating and exploiting 
their  results.  The  Horizon  Results  Platform  saw  569  new  results  uploaded  and  actively 
supported  25  companies  in  their  go-to-market  journey  with  dedicated  funding  and 
opportunities  to  participate  in  investor  events.  The  Booster  provided  764  services  for 
1 602 beneficiaries ranging from dissemination to go-to market support.  

The Commission produced several CORDIS publications, including 20 Thematic Packs, 
10 ‘Results in Brief’ videos and 10 CORDIScovery podcast episodes.  

3.6. 

Implementation and monitoring of the Euratom Programme 

Following the Commission’s proposal, the Council adopted an extension of the Euratom 
research  and  training  programme  for  2026  and  2027,  underpinned  by  the  interim 
evaluation of the 2021–2025 programme. 

The  2021-2025  programme  has  a  total  budget  of  EUR  1.38  billion.  It  is  implemented 
through  direct  and  indirect  actions,  accounting  for  38.5%  and  61.5%  of  the  budget 
respectively. Under the indirect actions strand, 61 project grants had been signed by the 
end of 2025, including four co-funded partnerships. These brought together 578 unique 
participants and represented EUR 816 million in Euratom contributions. 

In September, the Commission unveiled its proposal for the next Euratom  research  and 
training programme (2028-2032).  

a)  Nuclear direct actions implemented by the JRC 

In  2025,  the  JRC  delivered  102  peer-reviewed  articles  on  nuclear  research  topics,  90 
technical  reports,  three  items  of  reference  material  and  three  validated  methods 
incorporated in international nuclear libraries, four technical systems aimed at reinforcing 
nuclear safeguards and one contribution to international standards. 

The  JRC  has  contributed  to  the  small  modular  reactors  (SMR)  strategic  action  plan, 
endorsed by the European Industrial Alliance on SMR, which aims to facilitate their safe 
development and deployment by 2030. 

b)  Indirect actions of the Euratom research & training programme  

The Commission launched initiatives to address shortages of specialised nuclear skills, in 
particular  in  nuclear  safety,  innovative  technologies  and  radiological  protection.  The 
Skills4Nuclear  project  supports  the  development  of  a  qualified  workforce  for  existing 

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technologies.  In  parallel, 

and  emerging  nuclear 
the  PIANOFORTE  co-funded 
partnership, with 108 partners across 26 countries,  launched its third transnational open 
call,  selecting  six  new  projects.  The  EURAD  2  co-funded  partnership  further 
strengthened European capabilities through the launch of its mobility programme. 

4. 

OUTLOOK FOR 2026 

In  2026,  the  Commission  aims  to  strengthen  Europe’s  R&I  ecosystem  through  the 
European Innovation Act and the European Research Area Act. These will accelerate 
market uptake of innovation, align EU and national priorities, and help achieve the 3% of 
GDP R&I investment  target across the EU. These initiatives will  help  bring innovative 
ideas  to  market  across  all  sectors,  reducing  fragmentation,  and  will  enhance  the  free 
circulation of researchers, knowledge and technology. 

2026  will  see  the  launch  of  the  multi-billion  euro  Scaleup  Europe  Fund  to  support 
Europe’s most promising strategic technology companies, and the Advanced Materials 
Act, which aims to accelerate innovation and scale-up of advanced materials. New R&I 
initiatives  will  also  be  launched  in  areas  including  AI,  batteries,  data  access,  health, 
climate,  agriculture,  rural  development,  biodiversity,  ocean  and  water  resilience, 
among others. 

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