Horizon Europe: How the EU research framework programme works for companies in Germany
Editorial team artemis-ju.eu · Updated 27 October 2026
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme for 2021 to 2027, with a budget of EUR 95.5 billion including NextGenerationEU. It funds universities, research organisations and companies of every size, mostly in cross-border consortia. Funding rates reach 100 % of eligible costs, or 70 % for profit-making participants in Innovation Actions. For a company based in Germany, including a subsidiary of a foreign group, participation works exactly as for any other EU-based entity: through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Structure: three pillars
| Pillar | What it covers | Typical applicants |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Excellent Science | European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, research infrastructures | Researchers, universities, institutes |
| 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness | Thematic clusters (health, digital and industry, climate, energy and mobility and others), Missions, European Partnerships | Consortia of industry and academia |
| 3: Innovative Europe | European Innovation Council (EIC), innovation ecosystems, EIT | Start-ups, SMEs, spin-off teams |
| Cross-cutting | Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area | Organisations from widening countries, networks |
Most collaborative calls relevant to companies sit in Pillar 2. Start-ups and SMEs with a near-market innovation usually look at the EIC Accelerator in Pillar 3.
Types of action and funding rates
Each topic states its Type of Action, which determines the funding rate.
| Type of action | Purpose | Funding rate |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Innovation Action (RIA) | New knowledge, feasibility of new technology | 100 % |
| Innovation Action (IA) | Prototypes, demonstration, piloting, near-market development | 70 % for profit-making entities, 100 % for non-profits |
| Coordination and Support Action (CSA) | Networking, standardisation, dissemination, policy support | 100 % |
Indirect costs are not itemised. They are reimbursed through a flat rate of 25 % of eligible direct costs, excluding subcontracting. Around half of the 2026 topics use lump sum funding, where payments are linked to completed work packages rather than actual costs. Our guide on funding rates and own contribution (Eigenanteil) explains what this means for your budget.
Missions and European Partnerships
Pillar 2 also contains EU Missions, which bundle research, innovation and deployment around societal goals such as climate adaptation, cancer, healthy oceans and waters, climate-neutral cities and healthy soils. Their calls often target municipalities, regions and end users as well. European Partnerships link the EU with Member States, industry or foundations; some run their own calls through dedicated bodies (joint undertakings), for example in semiconductors, hydrogen or aviation. These calls also appear on the Funding & Tenders Portal but may follow specific rules, such as national co-funding.
Who can take part
Legal entities from EU Member States and associated countries are eligible; the Funding & Tenders Portal lists the associated countries. The standard minimum for a collaborative project is:
- at least three independent legal entities,
- from three different Member States or associated countries,
- with at least one of them established in an EU Member State.
Individual topics can set stricter conditions. The guide on building a consortium explains how to find partners and assign roles.
From work programme to proposal
- Scan the work programme: The Commission publishes multi-annual work programmes (currently 2026-2027) that describe every topic with expected outcomes, scope, budget and type of action.
- Read the topic page: Check the deadline model (single-stage or two-stage), budget per project and eligibility. Our guide on reading funding calls walks through each field.
- Talk to a National Contact Point: The German National Contact Points (Nationale Kontaktstellen, NKS) give free advice in English and German.
- Plan enough time: A consortium proposal typically needs several months of preparation.
Evaluation in short
Independent external experts score each proposal on three criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of implementation, each from 0 to 5. According to the standard rules reproduced in Commission evaluation forms, the threshold is 3 per criterion and 10 overall, unless the topic says otherwise. Because many clusters are heavily oversubscribed, passing the thresholds does not guarantee funding. See writing a grant proposal for structure and common mistakes.
Outlook: FP10 from 2028
In July 2025 the Commission proposed the 10th Framework Programme (FP10) for 2028 to 2034, with around EUR 175 billion and close links to a planned European Competitiveness Fund. This is a proposal: Parliament and Council are still negotiating, and agreement is expected by the end of 2027. Figures and rules may change. For current planning, the 2026-2027 work programmes remain the reference.
Getting help
Besides the National Contact Points, specialised grant consultants can support partner search, proposal writing and budgeting. More programmes are listed in our EU funding category.
Sources
- European Commission: Horizon Europe
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- German National Contact Points
- FFG: Funding rates in Horizon Europe
As of October 2026. This guide does not replace tax or legal advice; the work programme, call conditions and grant agreement, or the funding body’s guideline and decision, are binding.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can my company apply to Horizon Europe on its own?
For most collaborative projects, no. The standard minimum is three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one of them from a Member State. Single applicants are possible in schemes such as the ERC, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the EIC Accelerator.
Can a company registered in Germany but owned from abroad take part?
Eligibility depends on where the legal entity is established, so a company registered in Germany generally counts as a German participant. Specific topics can add restrictions, for example in security-sensitive areas, so always check the topic conditions.
Who gives free advice in Germany?
The German National Contact Points (Nationale Kontaktstellen, NKS) advise free of charge on topics, rules and partner search. You can find them via horizont-europa.de.
What happens after 2027?
The Commission has proposed FP10 for 2028 to 2034 with around EUR 175 billion, linked to a planned European Competitiveness Fund. Until Parliament and Council agree, budget and rules are not final.