Horizon Europe: High Stakes, Higher Expectations

Whilst most people would agree that the Framework Programme has always been ultra-competitive, it has become increasingly difficult to succeed in recent years. This has become a hot-button issue among experienced proposal writers and funding experts. some of whom share similar views, while others bring unique and equally valuable perspectives.

Many people have asked me to share my perspective, and after some discussion and reflection, here is why I believe succeeding in Horizon Europe has become so challenging. 

Reduced Budgets and Strategic Transition

Over the last year, we have moved from the first half of Horizon Europe’s strategic programming to the second. This shift initially reduced the number of calls, limiting opportunities and funding. However, since the launch of the second half of the Strategic Programme in spring, we have seen a surge in new calls and deadlines.

The first cycle of Pillar II deadlines will close in the autumn of this year, meaning success rates in 2026 are likely to improve compared to 2024 and 2025.

This midpoint also marks a strategic inflection point, as the European Commission responds to new geopolitical realities. The reorientation of priorities opens doors for new applicants, increasing competition and sometimes displacing previously successful organisations.

Global competition, more Associated Countries, and greater Widening Participation 

Competition for Horizon Europe funding has intensified in recent years for several reasons. The number of Associated Countries has grown, and widening participation policies have encouraged more organisations to apply. Reduced national R&I budgets, both inside and outside the EU, have further pushed researchers to seek European funding.

Political developments abroad have also played a role. A second Trump presidency has reshaped global funding landscapes, particularly in programmes such as the NIH, prompting regions with limited prior engagement to turn their attention to Horizon Europe.

By contrast, Horizon Europe offers not only scale but also a reputation for stability and predictability, especially in Pillar I funding streams such as ERC and MSCA. This reliability has made it increasingly attractive to organisations worldwide seeking secure, long-term collaborations.

Looking ahead, the European Commission is already designing the successor to Horizon Europe, set to launch in January 2028 with a proposed budget of around €175 billion, roughly double the current programme. This anticipated expansion is likely to attract even more global interest, further intensifying competition.

Technology and Accessibility 

Advances in AI have made it easier for applicants to produce polished proposals, increasing both accessibility and competition. The simplified proposal template compared to Horizon 2020, and the proliferation of open or bottom-up call specifications, have also broadened participation by widening the applicant pool.

Additionally, many strong but previously unsuccessful proposals are being resubmitted, adding another layer of competition.

At Crowdhelix, we’ve responded by developing ReviewIQ, an AI-powered proposal review tool. We’ve leveraged our position as a network-based organisation to feed an extensive number of previously submitted proposals, evaluation reports, European Commission guidelines and decades worth of human experience into an LLM.

ReviewIQ harnesses this data to provide our members with instant, data-driven feedback to strengthen their Horizon Europe applications.

Increasing Focus on Applied Research

A great idea alone is no longer enough to secure funding. Precision and attention are required across every area of the evaluation matrix

While basic research calls remain, proposals incorporating applied research and innovation often align more closely with Horizon Europe’s impact criteria. The most successful projects demonstrate tangible societal and industrial benefits, and include credible consortium partners who can deliver high-impact work packages.

Crowdhelix is a global network of organisations connecting researchers and businesses to collaborate and innovate on large-scale projects that address societal and industrial challenges. 

Our match-making platform and services are used to create new global partnerships for organisations to connect, collaborate and communicate on and across international research and innovation networks. If you would like to learn more about Crowdhelix, please follow this link:   https://crowdhelix.com/get-started  

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