How the funds of the Horizon Europe framework programme support employment and competitiveness

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme for the period 2021–2027, with a budget of nearly €95 billion. Unlike other structural funds, its main objective is not to finance infrastructure or regional cohesion, but to promote research, technological development, and innovation. Nevertheless, it clearly contributes to supporting employment and European competitiveness.

The programme funds research projects in universities, technological centres, and companies, generating the hiring of researchers, engineers, and technicians, the training of doctoral candidates and scientific staff, and promoting the international mobility of talent.

One example is the support provided by the European Research Council (ERC), which finances high-level scientific projects and enables the creation of research teams in European universities and research centres. The result is highly qualified employment in knowledge-intensive sectors, particularly in technology, health, energy, and digitalisation.

Regarding business innovation and competitiveness, Horizon Europe supports the transition from research to the market. Instruments such as the European Innovation Council (EIC) support innovative start-ups and SMEs through grants and capital to develop disruptive technologies. This allows European companies to develop new products and services and scale emerging technologies that enable them to compete globally in strategic sectors. Consequently, Europe’s technological competitiveness is strengthened in relation to other economies.

If we consider knowledge transfer and collaboration, the programme promotes the formation of international consortia between universities, research centres, companies, and public administrations. This collaboration facilitates the transfer of knowledge from research to industry, accelerating innovation and the practical application of scientific discoveries.

Another important aspect is the support for strategic sectors. Horizon Europe directs its investments toward key areas for the European economy, including:

• Energy transition and climate change

• Artificial intelligence and digital technologies

• Health and biotechnology

• Sustainable mobility

By promoting these areas, the programme contributes to the creation of new markets and industrial sectors, which in the medium term generates employment and economic growth.

Finally, with regard to the development of scientific human capital, the programme also finances the training and mobility of researchers through initiatives such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which promote the development of scientific careers and the circulation of knowledge across Europe. This programme strengthens human capital, one of the key factors for long-term competitiveness.

In summary, the Horizon Europe framework programme supports employment and competitiveness not so much through direct investment in infrastructure, but by funding advanced research, promoting business innovation, and developing scientific talent—essential elements for a knowledge-based economy.