Horizon Europe bundles research funds from the European Union for major societal challenges and thus follows Horizon 2020 as the next research framework program. The international networking platform exchanges information with the European Commission via various channels and thus strengthens Austria's position.
EU Missions in Horizon Europe
The EU Missions are a new feature of the Horizon Europe research and innovation program for the years 2021-2027. They support the Commission's priorities (e.g. the European Green Deal) and the transformation of Europe into a greener, healthier, more inclusive and more resilient continent. They represent coordinated action by the Commission to combine the necessary resources in terms of policies, regulations and other activities. The aim is to mobilize and activate public and private actors such as EU Member States, regional and local authorities, research institutes and investors to achieve long-term results.
More information on the EU missions in Horzion Europe can be found here.
EU Mission on Adaption to Climate Change
The aim of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change is to support more than 150 European regions and municipalities in becoming resilient to climate change by 2030. As the Alpine region, and thus Austria, is strongly affected by the impacts of climate change, it is therefore important to take effective measures to avoid adverse effects on the environment, society and the economy and to strengthen the natural, social and economic adaptive capacity.
The mission contributes to putting the EU's adaptation strategy into practice by helping regions to better understand the climate risks they face now and in the future. To be better prepared, new pathways will be developed and innovative solutions deployed on site that are needed for increased resilience.
The international networking platform is in constant exchange with the Commission and the responsible parties in order to align the funding programs with the Austrian research community.
More information on the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change can be found here. Here you can find the mission portal and further information.
EU mission 100 climate-neutral cities and smart cities by 2030
The Cities Mission has set itself the goal of creating 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and ensuring that these cities act as centers of experimentation and innovation. European cities should follow this example by 2050.
Climate action is highly dependent on urban action, so cities must be supported in accelerating their green and digital transitions. European cities can make a significant contribution to the Green Deal to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and, in concrete terms, offer citizens cleaner air, safer transportation and less congestion and noise.
Here, too, the CCCA is in constant contact with the Commission and the responsible parties as part of the international networking platform in order to coordinate the funding programs with the Austrian research community.
More information on the EU mission 100 climate-neutral cities and smart cities by 2030 can be found here.
EU mission A soil agreement for Europe: 100 living labs and lighthouse projects for the transition to healthy soils by 2030
Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. Soil is the foundation of our food systems. It provides clean water and habitats for biodiversity and contributes to climate resilience. It is estimated that between 60 and 70% of soils in the EU are not healthy.
The main objective of the “A Soil Agreement for Europe” mission is to set up 100 living labs and lighthouse projects to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. In addition, research and innovation programs with a strong social science component will be promoted. The mission supports the EU's ambition to be at the forefront of global commitments, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to contribute to the European Green Deal targets in the areas of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and biodiversity. It is also a flagship initiative for the long-term vision for rural areas.
More information on the EU mission A Soil Agreement for Europe can be found here.
Other EU missions
In addition to the missions already mentioned, there is also the CANCER mission (Beating Cancer - Mission Possible) and the OCEAN mission (Mission Starfish: Regenerating our seas and waters by 2030), although the CCCA is not currently involved in these.
Next Framework Program (FP 10)
The Next Framework Program, Horizon Europe 2028–2034, is set to begin in 2028 as the successor to the current Horizon Europe program of the same name. Official negotiations for this new program began in mid-2025. Recent developments at the EU level, along with already published documents, suggest that the upcoming framework program and its calls for proposals may have a strong focus on technology, potentially at the expense of topics like climate and sustainability. In response, the networking platform for European and international agendas is actively engaging in the early stages of discussions and negotiations. Through the CCCA working group “European Reserach in the Field of Climate,” it is contributing coordinated feedback to consultation and commentary processes, among other activities.
More information on the Next Framework Program 10 can be found here.
Statement on Horizon Europe 2028–2034 (FP10) published!
The CCCA Board and UniNEtZ leadership have released a statement regarding the strategic direction of Horizon Europe 2028–2034 (FP10). They call on Austrian representatives at the European Commission and the responsible ministers to advocate for the inclusion of the following points in FP10:
- Strengthening research on natural resources (agriculture, forestry, water management, climate, ecosystems, biodiversity) as a foundation for competitiveness, resilience, supply security, and strategic autonomy.
- Expanding social sciences and humanities as drivers of socio-ecological transformation to shape socially acceptable transformation processes and increase “Societal Readiness.”
- Advancing technological developments in alignment with and as support for sustainability.
- Promoting inter- and transdisciplinary research as a basis for Europe's future viability, involving politics, business, science, and civil society.