HORIZONTE EUROPA PROGRAM
In Portugal, the National Innovation Agency (ANI) is responsible for monitoring the participation of the scientific, technological, and innovation communities in Horizon Europe projects that fall under Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness) and Pillar III (Innovative Europe).
The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan sets out the strategic guidelines for investment in research and innovation for the period 2021-2024 and acts as a compass to keep us on track with the Commission’s political priorities, with the emphasis on a green, climate-neutral and environmentally-friendly Europe, prepared for the digital age, where the economy works for people.
The second Horizon Europe Strategic Plan, covering the 2025-2027 programming period, is currently being finalized.
Pillar 1
Excellent Science
European Research Council
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Research Infrastructures
Pillar 2
Clusters
- Health
- Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
- Civil Security for Society
- Digital, Industry and Space
- Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Joint Research Centre
Pillar 3
European Innovation Council
European innovation ecosystems
European Institute of Innovation and Technology
Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Widening participation and spreading excellence
Reforming and Enhancing the European R&I system
Each area is supported by National Contact Points (NCPs), who are responsible for disseminating and promoting all specific actions related to their area of expertise, as well as clarifying and assisting interested parties in the application process.
In the scope of the Work Programs, ANI developed the GNAD platform – National Discussion Group for Horizon Europe (Pillars II and III), where the draft versions of the Work Programs are made available with the aim of sharing information and involving the community in supporting the definition of research priorities to be included in the final work programs. You can register on the platform HERE.
Pillar II
Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
It is based on a top-down approach, supporting research focused on societal challenges and industrial technologies. It is aligned with European and international policies (e.g., the Sustainable Development Goals) and is structured into 6 clusters.
Cluster 1: Health
The objectives of this cluster are to improve and protect the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge and developing innovative solutions.
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society
This cluster aims to strengthen European democratic values, including the rule of law and fundamental rights, safeguarding our cultural heritage, and promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth.
The areas of intervention are:
- Democracy and Governance
- Cultural Heritage and Creative and Cultural Industries
- Social and Economic Transformations
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The NCPs for Cluster 2 are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities and support the preparation and submission of proposals.
 | Margarida Oliveira margarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
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| Margarida Oliveira margarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
 | Natália Dias natalia.dias@ani.pt +351 935 014 538 |
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| Natália Dias natalia.dias@ani.pt +351 935 014 538 |
Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society
This cluster addresses the challenges arising from persistent security threats, including cybercrime, as well as natural and man-made disasters.
The areas of intervention are:
- Disaster-resilient societies
- Protection and security
- Cybersecurity
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The NCPs for Cluster 3 are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities, as well as supporting the preparation and submission of proposals.
 | Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
|---|---|
| Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space
This cluster aims to build a competitive, digital, low-carbon, and circular industry that will ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials, develop advanced materials, and provide the foundation for advancements and innovation in society’s global challenges.
The areas of intervention are:
- Manufacturing technologies
- Key Digital Technologies
- Advanced Materials
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
- Next Generation Internet
- Advanced Computing and Big Data
- Circular Industries
- Low-carbon and non-polluting industries
- Space
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The space area is accompanied by Portugal Space.
The Cluster’s PCNs 4 are available to assist you in your search for funding opportunities, as well as to support the preparation and submission of proposals.
 | Afonso Duarte afonso.duarte@ani.pt |
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| Afonso Duarte afonso.duarte@ani.pt |
 | Pedro Miranda Industry pedro.miranda@ani.pt +351 917 780 691 |
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| Pedro Miranda Industry pedro.miranda@ani.pt +351 917 780 691 |
Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, and Mobility
This cluster aims to combat climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts, and opportunities, making the energy and transport sectors more climate- and environment-friendly, more efficient and competitive, smarter, safer, and more resilient.
The areas of intervention are:
- Climatology and climate solutions
- Energy supply
- Energy systems and networks
- Buildings and industrial facilities in energy transition
- Communities and cities
- Industrial competitiveness in transport
- Non-polluting, safe, accessible transport and mobility
- Smart mobility
- Energy storage
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The NCPs for Cluster 5 are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities, as well as supporting the preparation and submission of proposals.
 | Cristiana Leandro Energy cristiana.leandro@ani.pt |
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| Cristiana Leandro Energy cristiana.leandro@ani.pt |
 | Flávio Soares Climate and Energy flavio.soares@ani.pt |
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| Flávio Soares Climate and Energy flavio.soares@ani.pt |
| | Margarida Oliveira Climate margarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
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| Margarida Oliveira Climate margarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
 | Juan Henriques |
|---|---|
| Juan Henriques Energy and Mobility juan.henriques@ani.pt |
Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment
This cluster aims to reduce environmental degradation, halt and reverse biodiversity loss on land, in inland waters, and at sea, and better manage natural resources through transformative changes in the economy and society, both in urban and rural areas.
The areas of intervention are:
- Environmental observation
- Biodiversity and natural resources
- Agriculture, forestry, and rural areas
- Seas, oceans, and inland waters
- Food systems
- Bio-based innovation systems in the EU bioeconomy
- Circular systems
You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The NCPs for Cluster 6 are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities, as well as supporting the preparation and submission of proposals.
| Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
|---|---|
| Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
 | Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
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| Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
Pillar III
Innovative Europe
Pillar III – Innovative Europe focuses on supporting the development of disruptive technologies and market-creating innovations, as well as improving European innovation ecosystems. This pillar is divided into three programs.
EIE – European Innovation Ecosystems
The European Innovation Council (EIC) promotes disruptive innovations with global expansion potential. It primarily focuses on deep tech innovation, aiming for market-creating innovation.
The EIC is subdivided into three instruments:
| Pathfinder It aims to support fundamental research projects exploring radically new ideas. These are usually open to any scientific field, although some calls have themes proposed by the European Commission. | Transition It seeks to help researchers and innovators transition to commercializing their promising research results. | Accelerator Aims to support individual SMEs, start-ups and small mid-cap companies to bridge the funding gap between the final stages of research activities and market entry, thus effectively implementing disruptive innovations in cases where the market does not provide viable funding for these companies. |
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| Pathfinder It aims to support fundamental research projects exploring radically new ideas. These are usually open to any scientific field, although some calls have themes proposed by the European Commission. |
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TransitionIt seeks to help researchers and innovators transition to commercializing their promising research results.
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AcceleratorIt aims to support individual SMEs, start-ups and small mid-cap companies to bridge the funding gap between the final stages of research activities and market entry, thus effectively implementing disruptive innovations in cases where the market does not provide viable funding for these companies.
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You can find open and planned funding opportunities here.
The NCPs of the EIC are available to support the preparation and submission of proposals, including specialized services such as pitch training.proposals, including specialized services such as pitch training.
 | Ricardo Carvalho Pathfinder, Transition e Accelerator ricardo.carvalho@ani.pt +351 912 970 479 |
|---|---|
| Ricardo Carvalho Pathfinder, Transition e Accelerator ricardo.carvalho@ani.pt +351 912 970 479 |
 | Sofia Bravo Accelerator sofia.bravo@ani.pt +351 933 902 345 |
|---|---|
| Sofia Bravo Accelerator sofia.bravo@ani.pt +351 933 902 345 |
EIE – European Innovation Ecosystems
The European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) aim to create more connected and efficient innovation ecosystems to support the expansion of businesses, foster innovation, and encourage cooperation between actors in national, regional, and local ecosystems.
The intervention areas are:
- Building inclusive and interconnected innovation ecosystems across Europe, leveraging the existing strengths of national, regional, and local ecosystems while attracting new actors and underrepresented territories to define, undertake, and achieve collective ambitions regarding societal challenges, including the green, digital, and social transitions.
- Strengthening network connectivity within and between innovation ecosystems to accelerate the sustainable growth of businesses with high social value.
- Supporting the “European Partnership for Innovative SMEs” (Eurostars 3).
- Complementing the support from the European Regional Development Fund for innovation ecosystems and inter-regional partnerships on smart specialization topics.
You can find the open and upcoming funding opportunities [here].
The NCPs of the EIE are available to support the preparation and submission of proposals.
 | Dantas bibiana.dantas@ani.pt +351 962 736 757 |
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| Bibiana Dantas bibiana.dantas@ani.pt +351 962 736 757 |
 | Rita Silva rita.silva@ani.pt +351 939 339 003 |
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| Rita Silva rita.silva@ani.pt +351 939 339 003 |
EIT - European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an independent EU body that aims to increase Europe’s innovation capacity by fostering entrepreneurial talent and supporting new ideas.
The intervention areas are:
- Strengthening sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe
- Promoting the development of entrepreneurial and innovation skills from a lifelong learning perspective and supporting the business transformation of EU universities
- Bringing new solutions to global societal challenges to the market
- Creating synergies and added value within the scope of Horizon Europe
You can find the open and upcoming funding opportunities [here].
The EIT NCP is available to support you with matters related to this program.
 | Alexandre Marques alexandre.marques@ani.pt +351 960 019 066 |
|---|---|
| Alexandre Marques alexandre.marques@ani.pt +351 960 019 066 |
Missions in Horizon Europe
The EU Missions under Horizon Europe represent a new way of finding concrete solutions to some of the biggest challenges affecting today’s society. They place research and innovation in a new role, combined with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as with the involvement of citizens. They have ambitious goals and will produce tangible results by 2030.
Adaptation to Climate Change
Aims to support at least 150 European regions and communities in becoming resilient to climate change by 2030. Learn more
The NCPs for this mission are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities and to support the preparation and submission of proposals, including reviewing applications.
 | Flávio Soares Climate and Energy flavio.soares@ani.pt |
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| Flávio Soares Climate and Energy flavio.soares@ani.pt |
 | Natália Dias natalia.dias@ani.pt +351 935 014 538 |
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| Natália Dias natalia.dias@ani.pt +351 935 014 538 |
Restoring Oceans and Waters by 2030
Aims to protect and restore the health of our oceans and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement, and blue investments
The NCPs for this mission are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities, as well as support the preparation and submission of proposals, including reviewing applications.
 | Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
|---|---|
| Ana Sutcliffe ana.sutcliffe@ani.pt +351 935 024 531 |
 | Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
|---|---|
| Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030
The goal is to ensure that the 100 selected cities act as hubs for experimentation and innovation, allowing all European cities to follow their examples by 2050.
Learn more
The NCPs for this mission are available to assist you in finding funding opportunities, as well as supporting the preparation and submission of proposals, including reviewing applications.
 | Cristiana Leandro Energy cristiana.leandro@ani.pt |
|---|---|
| Cristiana Leandro Energycristiana.leandro@ani.pt |
 | Margarida Oliveira Climate margarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
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| Margarida Oliveira Climatemargarida.oliveira@ani.pt +351 910 111 619 |
A Soil Deal for Europe
It aims to create 100 living laboratories and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030.
Learn more
The NCP of this mission is available to help you search for funding opportunities, as well as support the preparation and submission of proposals, including the review of applications.
| Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
|---|---|
| Maria João Fernandes mariajoao.fernandes@ani.pt +351 939 340 005 |
European Partnerships
European Partnerships bring together the European Commission and private and/or public partners to address some of Europe’s most pressing challenges through coordinated research and innovation initiatives. They are a key instrument for implementing Horizon Europe and significantly contribute to the realization of the EU’s policy priorities.
Co-programmed
These are partnerships between the European Commission and mostly private (and sometimes public) partners.
Co-funded
These partnerships involve EU countries, with research funding institutions and other public authorities at the center of the consortium.
Institutionalized
These partnerships in the field of research and innovation involve the European Union, EU Member States, and/or industry. These partnerships require legislative proposals from the Commission and are based on a Council Regulation (Article 187) or a decision of the European Parliament and the Council (Article 185).
View the existing partnerships in the 2021-2024 programming period:
Global challenges & European industrial competitiveness
Innovative Europe &Cross Pillars II and III
European Chips Joint Undertaking
At the end of December 2023, Portugal launched its National Semiconductor Strategy, which can be viewed here. The strategy is based on pillars aimed at positioning Portugal in European semiconductor value chains, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation as a differentiating factor.
The strategy was developed in alignment with the European Chips Joint Undertaking (formerly known as Key Digital Technologies – KDT).
The ANI will implement different initiatives to support the National Semiconductor Strategy.
Legal and Financial Issues of Horizon Europe
For any issues related to legal and financial matters in Horizon Europe,
ANI has a dedicated NCP for these issues, who is available to support you.
 | Alexandre Marques alexandre.marques@ani.pt +351 960 019 066 |
|---|---|
| Alexandre Marques alexandre.marques@ani.pt +351 960 019 066 |
KEY INDICATORS
When we share information, we generate innovation. That’s our vision, which is why we provide all the detailed information on the main indicators and impacts in always up-to-date reports that you can download to support your decision-making and analysis.
€924.59 million:
Horizon Europe funding for Portugal
1.557
Horizon Europe Projects Approved
€541.15 million:
Funding for Pillar II Horizon Europe Participants
€118.34 million:
Amount paid to
CTI and CoLAB
CONTACTS
