The European Commission has published the results of its public consultation on the EU research and Innovation Horizon programmes 2014-2027.
The consultation on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework programmes 2014-2027 was conducted between 30 November 2022 and 23 February 2023. Its objectives were twofold:
- to collect the views of research institutions, businesses, as well as non-governmental organisations, public authorities, and other stakeholders on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and
- to help shape priorities for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027.
The Commission received a total of 2,788 responses and 265 position papers. Of these, 2,558 responses and 108 position papers responded to the section on the orientation for the strategic plan, detailing the priorities and concerns of stakeholders for the future of EU R&I funding.
The responses came from 61 countries. 88% (1,459) of respondents came from the EU27 countries, 8% (130) from countries associated to the Horizon programmes (including 85 submissions from the UK) and 4% (74) from third countries. The countries with the largest number of replies were Germany (204), Italy (192), France (181), and Spain (178). Most respondents represented academic and research organisations (49%), followed by the companies and business sector (17%) and EU citizens (13%).
The Commission has now published general information about the feedback from stakeholders. The following documents referring to different sections of the consultation are available on the consultation page, alongside the statistical information about the responses received:
- Factual Summary Report: Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
- Factual Summary Report: Ex-post Evaluation of Horizon 2020
- Stakeholders’ contributions with annexes
Moreover, the Commission released the Synopsis Report of the responses on the orientations for the next Strategic Plan 2025-27. Respondents indicated that the most important societal challenges are ‘climate change’, ‘energy supply’, ‘loss of biodiversity’ and ‘strained healthcare systems and ageing European population’ over the next ten years. These contributions will feed into the ongoing Horizon Europe planning process for 2025-2027 and the preparations for the next EU R&I Framework Programme.
The full analysis of results for Horizon 2020 will be included in the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 towards the end of 2023, whereas the analysis of results for Horizon Europe will be included in the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe at the end of 2024.