Exciting new funding opportunities are available to UK businesses and universities as part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

Businesses and researchers in the fields of aerospace, critical infrastructure, digital security, high-performance computing (HPC), and clean technologies, are encouraged to apply for up to €130M (£116M) in “the biggest single opportunity” to access European funding. They can also take advantage of individual fellowships, which, for the first time, are available to to non-academic organisations.

The Horizon 2020 programme was established by the European Union as a collaborative financial instrument to help secure Europe’s global competitiveness in research and innovation. Running from 2014 until 2020, it is designed to put Europe “at the heart” of world-class science and innovation, making it more competitive, fostering economic growth, and creating new jobs.

The UK Government is urging applicable UK organisations to bid for EU funding whilst the UK remains a member-state.

THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The funding opportunities available are as follows…

Critical Infrastructure:

This topic area covers the prevention, detection, response and mitigation of the combination of physical and cyber threats to the critical infrastructure of Europe. The list remaining for the 2017 call for proposals are:

• Communication infrastructure
• Health services
• Financial services

The total available budget is €10M (£8.9M), and the closing date for applications is 24 August 2017.

Digital security focus area:

There are various calls open under the header of security, including:

• big data and data analytics for risk management in the supply chain
• risk-based screening at border crossing
• broadband communications systems and networks

The budget available is €36.5M (£32.6M), and applications close on 24 August 2017.

Security:

There are various calls open under the header of security, including:

• big data and data analytics for risk management in the supply chain
• risk-based screening at border crossing
• broadband communications systems and networks

The total budget is €130.05M (£116M), and applications close on 24 August 2017.

Bio-based industries joint undertaking:

The call encourages all stakeholders (large industries, SMEs, technology providers, academia and other research and technology organisations) to take part and contribute to the deployment of a new and sustainable economy.

The indicative budget for this category is €81M (£72M), and applications close on 7 September 2017.

Horizon prize: engine retrofit for clean air:

Current engines exhibit noxious emissions while driving. The prize aims to reduce the pollution produced by the existing fleet, by promoting the development of retrofittable technology, such as, devices or modification of existing engines that reduce emissions of pollutants in real driving conditions to the lowest level possible.

€1.4M (£1.2M) is available to applicants, who must apply by 2 September 2017

Individual fellowships:

The individual fellowships are designed to enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers who wish to diversify their individual competence through advanced training, international and cross-sector opportunities. This call will support placements for researchers into academic and non-academic organisations.

The available budget is €10M (£8.9M), and applications close on 14 September 2017.

FET proactive: high-performance computing:

By leveraging existing European strengths in high-performance computing, this competition aims to support and take advantage of the evolution from peta to exascale computing.

The latest calls are for the transition to exascale computing and exascale HPC ecosystem development.

The total budget is €40M (£35.7M), and applications must be submitted by 26 September 2017.

Horizon prize: materials for clean air:

In the EU, the average life expectancy is estimated to be decreased by 8.6 months due to exposure to particulate matter resulting from human activities.

This prize is for an individual or team that develops the best innovative design-driven material solution to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in urban areas.

The total budget is €3M (£2.7M) and organisations can apply up until 23 January 2018.

Horizon prize: cleanest engine of the future:

This prize aims at reducing the pollution produced by future new vehicles, using either gasoline or diesel fuels and their low biofuel blends available on the market.

The aim is to improve health impacts due to air quality issues in European cities.

The total budget for this competition is €3.5M (£3.1M), and it closes on August 20 2019.

Nightingale:

The Nightingale project is aiming to help reduce death and disability from undetected deterioration. It will invite partners to apply for funding to develop innovative wireless, wearable technology that can be coupled with intelligent analysis software to monitor patients in the ward and at home.

€5M (£4.4M) Euros are available through the Nightingale project, with closes dates to be confirmed. The tendering process for the competition will start in November 2017.

Competitive low-carbon energy:

This competition focuses on demonstrating innovative renewable energy technologies. This includes:

• photovoltaic electricity
• solar heat
• wind turbines
• ocean energy devices

The total budget for this topic is €105M (£93.3M), and applications must be submitted before 7 September 2017.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

In order to qualify, projects must be a consortium of at least 3 organisations and each member must have a legal standing such as registered business, partnership, or charity.

For more information, and to apply, visit the Horizon 2020  information page.