Background
On 2 February 2021, the European Commission formally launched Horizon Europe, the EU’s programme for research and innovation. Horizon Europe has a budget of EUR 95.5 billion and will facilitate collaboration and strengthen the impact of research, as well as developing, supporting and implementing EU policies Furthermore, it aims to support the better dissemination of knowledge and technologies.
The programme is divided into three "Pillars":
- Pillar I - Excellent Science
- Pillar II - EU funding is provided to tackle global challenges and to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
- Pillar III - Innovative Europe.
Under these sit specific clusters in which more specific and targetted themes are detailed.
Health Cluster
Of particular relevance for dementia is the health cluster, which sits under Pillar 2 - "Global challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness", with a budget of around EUR 8 billion.
The aims of this cluster include improving and protecting the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases. Further aims include developing health technologies, mitigating health risks, protecting populations and promoting good health and well-being in general and at work.
Finally, this cluster also aims to make make public health systems more cost-effective, equitable and sustainable, prevent and tackle poverty-related diseases and support and enable patients' participation and self-management.
The expected impacts of this cluster are contained in the Horizon Europe strategic plan and are structured around the following areas:
- health throughout the life course
- environmental and social health determinants
- non-communicable and rare diseases
- infectious diseases including poverty-related and neglected diseases
- tools, technologies and digital solutions for health and care including personalised medicine
- health care systems
The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024 can be downloaded below.