Horizon Europe: how to apply

Horizon Europe provides a major opportunity for Welsh researchers and innovators to carry out world-class science and innovation in Wales with a global outlook.

We encourage organisations in Wales to make the most of the opportunities and expand Wales’ reputation for leading research and innovation

Latest on the UK relationship with Horizon Europe

The UK is now an associate member of Horizon Europe (1 January 2024). 

Organisations can apply and receive funding from Horizon Europe for the 2024 work programme onwards.

You will need to:

• find a relevant call on the participant portal
• find partners (most projects need a team of at least 3 partners)
• submit a proposal through the participant portal

If you are thinking of applying for this type of research and innovation funding, please get in touch:

• email: HorizonEurope@gov.wales
• Contact the relevant UK National Contact Point

Our dedicated Horizon Europe Unit can help you with:

• advice and guidance
• directing you to specialist support
• contacts to other organisations and the Horizon network
• development of targeted information sessions and events

The Agile Cymru programme provides funding to support organisations in Wales to apply to Horizon Europe. This includes:

• the development of consortia 
• writing of applications
• training
• other actions that increase the quality, quantity, and size of Horizon Europe applications from Wales.

More high-quality proposals

• Increase the number of collaborative Horizon Europe applications and improving their quality. 
• Strengthen relationships with overseas research and innovation (R&I) partners. 
• Focusing on themes that support Welsh policy priorities and are most likely to attract investment.

Improve Welsh success rates in key parts of the programme

• Individual grants, such as ERC and MSCA, are a key contributor for Wales. 
• Targeted training and bid development support to help Welsh researchers compete at the highest level. 
• When budgets are limited we need to prioritise research that matches our economic priorities.

Broadening participation

• Involving more Welsh businesses, public bodies, and third sector organisations from across Wales.

Higher-value roles

• Enable Welsh participants to take on more significant roles in Horizon Europe applications.
• Support Welsh organisations to coordinate or lead work packages. 
• Training or contracted expertise to increase the chances of a lead role.

Strategic engagement

• Support activities that involve Wales in strategic European partnerships and R&I networks.
• Horizon Europe Partnerships, stakeholder groups and engaging with approved EU projects that bring research results to Wales. 
• There must be a clear link to increased opportunities for Wales. 

Delivering or attending specific events and training

• Specialised workshops. 
• Consortium meetings.
• Brokerage events.
• Proposal writing training. 

Supported activities must directly contribute to stronger Welsh bids or partnerships. All proposals must show a clear, credible connection to a specific Horizon Europe call or partnership.

We are unlikely to support

• Generic events or activities that only raise awareness of Horizon Europe. 
• Training proposals not specific to Horizon Europe or do not add value to existing provision.
• Training provisions designed solely for the benefit of an organisation rather than a Welsh sector or cluster.
• Applications with only a speculative or weak link to a Horizon Europe opportunity. 
• The initial gateway stage of EICA applications. Support may be provided in exceptional cases. We will support full EICA applications.
• In-house bid-writing staff. Staff costs can be considered on a case-by-case basis where they represent additional staff time and the best value or only means of delivering the objectives of the activity (staff timesheets and evidence of payment will be required).
• Activities already funded by another source (see below) unless there is a clear, justified need for Agile Cymru support.

Please note that additional funding is available: 

• Businesses: Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Growth offer support for event attendance and application development.
• Universities: Wales Innovation Network, Global Wales and the British Academy may provide relevant support.

If you are unsure which scheme is most suitable, please contact us: HorizonEurope@gov.wales.

Agile Cymru guidance and application process applies in all cases. Projects must contribute proportionately to relevant Agile Cymru outputs and outcomes.