What is the difference between Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020?

Horizon 2020 was the previous framework programme (2014–2020). Horizon Europe (2021–2027) succeeded it with a larger budget, a new mission structure, the European Innovation Council as a full instrument, and reorganised thematic clusters. Project results from both are searchable on CORDIS.

Where is space in Horizon Europe?

Mostly in Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) under Pillar II, which funds collaborative space R&D — plus the EIC (Pillar III) for single-company deep-tech grants, where many space startups apply. Some downstream space calls are managed by EUSPA.

What is Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe is the European Union's framework programme for research and innovation, running 2021–2027 with a budget of roughly €95.5 billion — the largest public R&I programme in the world. For space companies it funds everything from collaborative technology research to single-company scale-up grants, mostly through competitive calls on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

The three pillars

Excellent Science — ERC grants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships, research infrastructures.
Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness — six thematic clusters of collaborative projects. Space lives in Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space.
Innovative Europe — the European Innovation Council with Pathfinder, Transition and the Accelerator.

Calls are published in multi-year work programmes; most Pillar II projects require a consortium of at least three entities from three different member/associated states, while EIC instruments accept single companies.

What it means for a space startup

If you can form a consortium, Cluster 4 calls fund shared-cost R&D (typically 70–100% funding rates). If you're a single deep-tech company, the EIC route is usually the better fit. Every funded project since the 1980s framework programmes is public on CORDIS — the fastest way to scout partners and check what's already been funded.

VIRA tracks open Horizon Europe space calls next to ESA tenders: see live tenders.

Official source: European Commission — Horizon Europe.

Written by Tymofiy Badikov, founder of VIRA.space (Virtual Innovation Research Assistant) — operated by Space Tech Gateway Sp. z o.o., Kraków Technology Park. VIRA tracks live European space funding calls and checks your eligibility free: see live tenders.