Horizon Europe is implemented on the basis of work programmes. As a rule, there are two-year work programmes. In addition to the priorities and objectives of the programme, the work programmes contain information on the objectives of the measures for the planned calls for proposals (calls/topics) and on specific participation rules. The "General Annex" also contains generally binding information on the application process and implementation (e.g. on the evaluation of project proposals and funding quotas).

The Horizon Europe Rules for Participation define at the legislative level who may participate in the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and under what conditions. They also contain additional information on budget, financial instruments, open access, evaluation, eligibility of costs and intellectual property, among other things.

In collaborative projects, a consortium agreement is concluded in addition to the grant agreement. This is a contract under private law that is concluded between the partners to regulate the relationship between the partners.

The following points should be regulated in the consortium agreement:

- the internal organisation of the consortium
- access to and authorisations for electronic project processing in the Funding & Tenders Portal
- the distribution of the community's financial contribution
- supplementary rules for the dissemination and use of intellectual property and access rights to intellectual property
- rules for settling internal disputes, including cases of abuse of power
- liability, indemnification and confidentiality agreements between the participants

Our legal advisor Christina Nolte will advise you on the conclusion of the consortium agreement.

All information on Horizon Europe can be found in the European Commission's "Funding and Tenders Portal". The submission of applications, the signing of the grant agreement and the processing of an approved project are also carried out entirely electronically via this portal.

After registration (if possible with a UPB e-mail address), applications can be created and submitted. The Participant Identification Code (PIC) is required for this.

UPB PIC: 999837492

You can use a role management system to grant the staff of the Research Unit access to your application. This enables us to provide you with the best possible advice and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Once an application has been positively evaluated, a grant agreement is concluded between the European Commission and the coordinator. In collaborative projects, the partners join the grant agreement via the so-called "Accession Form".

All legal and financial regulations for the realisation of the projects are listed in the grant agreement. In addition, several annexes are part of the grant agreement, including, for example, the project description (analogous to the application | Annex 1) and the budget plan (Annex 2) and other supplementary information and forms.
Depending on the programme area and funding format, different regulations are used in the grant agreement.

The regulations of the Grant Agreement can be found in the so-called Model Grant Agreement. There is also an "Annotated Model Grant Agreement" in which the interpretation of the regulations is explained and illustrated with examples.

Further information can be found in the Funding and Tenders Portal under Reference Documents.

In order to provide German applicants with the best possible support, there are advice centres commissioned by the Federal Government - the National Contact Points (NCPs).

This network of advice centres provides contacts and experts for all programme areas and legal issues. The National Contact Points regularly offer webinars on participation opportunities and funding conditions. In many programme areas, an application check is also offered and the NCP ERC provides interview training for applicants to the ERC.

The system of National Contact Points can be found in all member states and associated countries.

The Strategic Plan sets out the strategic policy priorities for Horizon Europe and the intended impact. It forms the basis for the work programmes and call topics. Closely aligned with the political priorities of the European Union, the Strategic Plan focuses on the green and digital transitions. There will be two Strategic Plans in total, one for the first four years and another for the remaining three years of the Horizon Europe programme.