Horizon Europe - Horizontal Activities 2026

Horizontal calls Horizontal call - R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal Europe is maintaining the course set by the European Green Deal, including the goal to be the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, as well as reaching the 2030 climate target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% relative to 1990 level. This also includes the intermediate 2040 target of reducing net GHG emissions by 90%. Rapidly increasing energy prices and growing geopolitical tensions threatening the security of supply of Europe’s energy challenge our competitiveness vis-a-vis other global economies. There is a need to mobilise investments to expand the generation of clean resources, strengthen and secure the competitiveness and resilience of clean tech industries, and decarbonise energy-intensive industries, as well as to modernise electricity grids, transport networks and storage infrastructure to better connect and improve the performance of Europe’s clean energy systems. At the same time, circularity remains a priority and is key to making the most of the EU’s limited resources, reducing dependencies, and contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Horizontal call - AI in science As pilots for the European Commission’s recently announced RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) initiative, a package of EUR 100 million for five new topics aims to foster interdisciplinary breakthroughs at the intersection of AI and scientific discovery. This budget comes from Clusters 4 and 6. Two topics will support the creation of Thematic Networks of Excellence in AI in Science, bringing together leading institutions in materials science, agriculture, and environmental pollution to share knowledge and build robust, cross-sector collaboration on AI in science. Two further topics will fund the development of Automated Labs for AI in Science, targeting key application areas in materials science and food research, enabling faster, data-driven experimentation and innovation. The last topic will establish Doctoral Networks (modelled after the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action) to train a new generation of researchers in AI-driven scientific methods across all disciplines. These actions are expected to create interconnected networks aiming at addressing the challenges of the field, going beyond the scope of the projects. They will also help build the RAISE scientific community which will contribute to shaping modern science. Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated effort to embed AI in the core of scientific research in Europe and pave the way to RAISE. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in any actions falling under AI in Science. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.