Horizon Europe pools research funding from the European Union for major societal challenges, following on from Horizon 2020 as the next framework programme for research. The international networking platform engages in substantive dialogue with the European Commission through various channels, thereby strengthening Austria's position.
EU Missions in Horizon Europe
The EU Missions are a new feature of the research and innovation programme Horizon Europe for the years 2021–2027. They support the Commission's priorities (e.g. the European Green Deal) and Europe's transition towards a greener, healthier, more inclusive and more resilient continent. They represent coordinated actions by the Commission to pool the necessary resources in terms of policies and regulations, as well as other activities. The aim is to mobilise and engage public and private actors — such as EU member states, regional and local authorities, research institutes and investors — in order to achieve long-term results.
You can find more information on the EU Missions in Horizon Europe here.
EU Mission on Adaptation 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 therefore Austria — is heavily affected by the impacts of climate change, it's all the more important to put effective measures in place to avoid the adverse effects on the environment, society and the economy, and to strengthen natural, social and economic adaptive capacity.
The Mission helps to put the EU's climate change 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 approaches are being developed and innovative solutions are being deployed locally that are needed for increased resilience.
The international networking platform is in ongoing dialogue with the Commission and those responsible, in order to align funding programmes with the Austrian climate research community.
You can find more information on the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change here. The Mission Portal and further information can be found here.
EU Mission 100 Climate-Neutral 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 hubs for experimentation and innovation. European cities are expected to follow this example by 2050.
Climate protection depends to a great extent on urban action, which is why cities need to be supported in accelerating their green and digital transition. European cities can make a significant contribution to the Green Deal's goal of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030, and can tangibly offer citizens cleaner air, safer transport options, and less congestion and noise.
Here too, CCCA is in ongoing dialogue with the Commission and those responsible through the international networking platform, in order to align funding programmes with the Austrian climate research community.
You can find more information on the EU Mission 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 here.
EU Mission A Soil Deal for Europe: 100 Living Labs and Lighthouse Projects for Soil Health 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's estimated that between 60 and 70% of soils in the EU are not healthy.
The main objective of the Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe" is to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouse Projects that are to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. In addition, research and innovation programmes with a strong social science component are to be promoted. The Mission supports the EU's ambition to take a leading role in global commitments — in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — and to contribute to the European Green Deal's objectives in the areas of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and biodiversity. It is also a flagship initiative for the long-term vision for rural areas.
You can find more information on the EU Mission A Soil Deal for Europe here.
Further EU Missions
In addition to the Missions already mentioned, there is also the CANCER Mission (Conquering Cancer: Mission Possible) and the OCEAN Mission (Mission Starfish: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030), to which CCCA is not currently contributing in a substantive capacity.
Horizon Europe 2028 - 2034 (Framework Programme 10)
The next framework programme for research (Horizon Europe 2028–2034) starts in 2028 and is the successor to the current, identically named Horizon Europe. Official negotiations began in mid-2025. Current developments at EU level and documents already published suggest that the next framework programme and its calls for proposals could be strongly technology-oriented, while topics such as climate and sustainability risk losing importance. The networking platform for European and international agendas is therefore actively taking a position in the early discussion and negotiation phases, and — through the CCCA Working Group "European Climate Research" — is contributing coordinated feedback to consultation and commentary processes, among other things.
You can find more information on the Next Framework Programme 10 here.
Statement on Horizon Europe 2028–2034 (FP10) published!
The CCCA Board and the leadership of UniNEtZ have published a statement on the strategic direction of Horizon Europe 2028–2034 (FP10). They are calling on Austrian representatives at the European Commission and the responsible ministers to advocate for the anchoring of the following points in FP10:
- Strengthening research on natural resources (agriculture, forestry and water management, climate, ecosystems, biodiversity) as a basis for competitiveness, resilience, security of supply and strategic autonomy.
- Expanding the social sciences and humanities as a driver of socio-ecological transformation, to shape socially equitable transformation processes and increase "Societal Readiness".
- Developing technological advances hand-in-hand with, and in support of, sustainability.
- Promoting inter- and transdisciplinary research as a foundation for Europe's future viability, with the involvement of policy, business, science and civil society.