Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, supporting collaborative projects that address global challenges such as climate change while strengthening knowledge, technology and policy development. It aims to boost competitiveness, support job creation and maximise the impact of innovation across Europe, with participation open to organisations from EU and associated countries.
What gets funded
- Research and innovation projects (knowledge production, methodologies, data)
- Development of tools, models and frameworks (e.g. governance, digital, cultural participation)
- Pilot and experimental actions linked to research
- Data collection, analysis and observatories
- Policy-oriented research and recommendations
- Cross-sector projects (culture + technology + society)
What your project needs to address
- Major societal challenges (e.g. democracy, inclusion, cultural participation, inequalities)
- Role of culture and creative sectors in social and economic transformation
- Strong research and innovation dimension (not just implementation)
- Clear impact (policy, societal, scientific)
- Interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration
- European added value
Geographic scope
EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. In addition to European associated countries (e.g. Norway, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia, Ukraine), several non-European countries can participate, including Israel, Tunisia, Egypt, Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (for Pillar II). Transnational cooperation is required.
Type of partnerships
Large consortiums (typically between 5 and 20 partners), with a strong balance between research and non-research partners.
Type of partners
Universities and Research organisations often take the lead on Horizon projects. Music organisations have most often a role of partner. Yet, consortiums usually gather universities, research centers, cultural organisations, public authorities, NGOs, SMEs, networks, tech companies.
Budget
Typically €2 000 000 to €5 000 000+ per project (but can be higher depending on the topic). Funding takes the form of a lump sum grant. If you are a non-profit organisation (registered on EU portal) the project is financed at 100% (no co-funding), if you are considered for profit, 70% (co-funding required). For Horizon projects, indirect costs are of 25%.
Project duration
Typically 3 to 4 years
Administrative complexity
High:
- Heavy coordination across partners
- Complex application (impact, methodology, consortium design)
- Detailed work packages and deliverables
- Strong reporting, evaluation and dissemination requirements
- Legal entity registration (PIC number / EU Funding & Tenders Portal)
Regularity of calls
Annual work programmes, with calls published yearly per thematic cluster.
Success rate
The overall Horizon Europe success rate for 2025 is 12%.
Get help for your application
There are National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon Europe. They provide guidance, information and partner search. Find here all info about NCPs for the cluster “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” of Horizon Europe.
Examples of projects funded
OpenMusE – a European research project developing shared data, tools and methodologies to analyse live music ecosystems across cities.
EXCENTRIC – supporting the digital transition of cultural sectors, including live music, by developing collaborative data practices, tools and skills to improve decision-making, sustainability and audience engagement.
AMPLIFY – a Horizon Europe project involving music organisations, festivals and venues to develop and test digital tools that enable remote music-making, immersive concerts and new forms of audience engagement through AI and extended reality technologies.
Where to apply
Calls can be found on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, under the programme Horizon Europe and the calls “Cluster 2” for the ones targeting “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” (HORIZON-CL2-YEAR-XX)