On December 11, 2025, the European Commission adopted the Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2026–2027, outlining the funding opportunities available under Horizon Europe, the EU €93.5 billion funding programme for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027.
With a total budget of €14 billion, the work programme prioritizes climate action, allocating at least 35% of its funding, namely €4.9 billion, towards initiatives aimed at achieving the EU’s climate goals. This commitment reflects the EU’s ambition to reach a decarbonized, competitive, and climate-resilient economy by 2050.
A key highlight of the new work programme is the introduction of a €540 million call under the Clean Industrial Deal, which focuses on clean technologies for climate action and the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. Opening on 18 December 2025 for the 2026 topics, this call targets “fit-for-deployment” projects that demonstrate industrial leadership, technological readiness, and strong market strategies.
The strongest contribution to climate action comes from the programme’s Pillar II “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness”, which is structured across several thematic clusters: Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space) dedicates €437 million to low-carbon, clean, and circular industries, as well as advanced materials; Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy & Mobility) has the largest share, with €1.644 billion supporting a wide range of climate solutions, including renewable energy, energy storage, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable transport; Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment) allocates €778 million to projects that promote sustainable agriculture, circular economy solutions, and ecosystem protection.
Additionally, the 2026–2027 work programme supports crosscutting initiatives through the EU Missions, which tackle specific climate challenges with a collaborative approach. The EU Missions on Adaptation (€226 million), Cities (€220 million), and Soil (€246 million) focus on enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable regions, promoting sustainable urban systems, and restoring soil health to ensure long-term environmental stability.
This final work programme for Horizon Europe plays a crucial role in driving Europe’s green transition, fostering innovation, and reinforcing the EU’s leadership in global climate action. Through targeted funding and strategic investments in key sectors, Horizon Europe continues to support the development of solutions that will help Europe meet its climate goals and strengthen its industrial competitiveness on the world stage.
Source: EU Commission
