European Union
The European Union traditionally bundles its research, technological development and demonstration programmes in time-limited research framework programmes. Integrated into the Europe 2020 strategy and the framework of the Innovation Union, EU research funding aims to strengthen the scientific and technological foundations of EU industry, to boost its international competitiveness and to support all research efforts deemed necessary for this purpose. At the forefront is the creation of a European research area through increased and more efficient pooling of European research efforts and resources.
Horizon 2020, the new framework programme for research and innovation and successor of the EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7), was launched on 1 January 2014. With an anticipated overall budget of approximately 80 billion euros, Horizon 2020 will run from 2014 to 2020. It combines the previous Research Framework Programme (RFP), the research-related areas of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), and the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). Of particular relevance to the university are the existing programme areas, such as the European Research Council (ERC) grants and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme as well as the cooperation research on major societal challenges.
EU-funded projects at Heidelberg University are mapped in the research database.
Horizon 2020 Funding Instruments
Funding instruments, some new and some familiar, are distributed across these three areas.
- "Excellent Science"
- European Research Council (ERC)
- Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
- European Research Infrastructures
- "Industrial Leadership"
- "Societal Challenges"
The hallmark of Horizon 2020 is collaborative research, which makes cooperation among a number of partners from science, industry and society possible. Promoting individual researchers is also of major importance (e.g., through the European Research Council or the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme).
All Funding and Instruments at a Glance (Ger)
Information on Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 Programme Structure (Ger)
The German Webportal "Horizont 2020" (Ger)
European Liaison Office of German Research Organisations (KoWi) (Ger)
National Contact Points (Ger)
Federal EU Office (Ger)
Proposal submission and project management
Initial funding for EU projects
Initial funding from the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) to prepare proposals for Horizon 2020 can be requested through the Research Division. All Horizon 2020 proposals are eligible for initial funding regardless of whether the requester is a coordinator or partner of a mobility, collaborative or individual project (ERC grants). We recommend contacting the appropriate person in the Heidelberg Research Service as early as possible in the process. Heidelberg Research Service
Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal
All proposals and documents are available on the Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal. The portal offers a subject search of the full Horizon 2020 Programme using individual programme components or key words. Note: You need to register on the Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal in advance to participate in Horizon 2020. Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal
Horizon 2020: Model Grant Agreements
Basic information on the European Commission's project management guidelines can be found at:
Multi-Beneficiary General Model Grant Agreement
Mono-Beneficiary General Model Grant Agreement
Mono-Beneficiary General Model Grant Agreement ERC Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants
Multi-Beneficiary General Model Grant Agreement ERC Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants
Please note that the reverse charge mechanism applies when services are exchanged with foreign partners (usually defined by a subcontract or invoice). Under this mechanism, the service recipient is responsible for payment of VAT, not the service provider. These costs should be budgeted in the project proposal. Contact Heidelberg Research Service for more information.
Administrative guide to research funding
The guide describes the most important rules and procedures for third-party funding at Heidelberg University. [More...]
The Heidelberg Research Service offers advisory service, project management and legal services for research projects of Heidelberg University researchers. [More...]
Tips and advice on project management
Tips and advice on managing research projects funded by the European Union – especially projects of the 7th Framework Programme and Horizon 2020. [More...]
Project Search
Heidelberg University Research Database