UCL targets funding from €79bn European Horizon 2020 programme

UCL's European Research and Innovation Office (ERIO) sees massive potential benefits for UCL researchers participating in Horizon 2020; with improvements such as simplified rules and an increase in overhead funding rates. Because of this, ERIO aims to encourage applicants to participate, with the goal of positioning UCL as the world leader in coordinating Horizon 2020 projects by the end of the programme.

In support of this goal, ERIO will also be launching a series of unique new support services on 1st January 2014, which will provide direct assistance to those UCL Principal Investigators submitting multi-partner Horizon 2020 proposals. Those interested in ERIO's support services for coordinators can find more information and submit an expression of interest at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/research/europe/proposalsupport

The Horizon 2020 programme is built around three "pillars":

1) Support for "Excellent Science" - including grants for individual researchers from the European Research Council and Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility fellowships. The European Research Council is an area of particular interest to UCL due to its continued success in this area (November 2013 saw UCL's 100th ERC grant awarded);

2) Support for "Industrial Leadership" - including grants for small and medium-sized enterprises and indirect finance for companies through the European Investment Bank;

3) Support for research to tackle seven broad "societal challenges":

1. Health, demographic change and wellbeing

2. Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

3. Secure, clean and efficient energy

4. Smart, green and integrated transport

5. Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials

6. Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies

7. Secure & innovative societies

Martin Scott, Head of Project Management, UCL European Research & Innovation Office