This week, the European Commission (EC) provided an update on the specifics of the third phase of its €77 billion ($88 billion at €0.88 = 1) Horizon 2020 program. The major scientific funding mechanism for the EU, Horizon 2020 covers 2014–20. The third and final phase of the program runs between 2018 and 2020.

For 2020, the EC finalized a  total budget of €11 billion ($13 billion), representing 37% of the third phase’s total funding. Outside of the Focus Areas listed below, the EC also allocated for 2020 €396 million ($449 million) for AI. In addition, the European Innovation Council, which is already running in a pilot phase, will benefit in 2020 from a budget of €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion).

Designated focus areas of Horizon 2020’s third phase and plans for 2020 specifically include:

“Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future”

Total 2018–20 Funding: €3,706 billion ($4,211 billion)

2020 Funding: €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion)

Highlights:

”€132 million [$150 million)] to support the development and production in Europe of the next generation of batteries—calls open in July and December 2019”

“€60 million [$68 million] for sustainable energy solutions in cities—calls open September 2019 and May 2020”

2020 Additions:

The EC specified within this focus area’s next generation battery funding is a new program in 2020 dedicated to improving energy storage.

 

 “Connecting economic and environmental gains—the Circular Economy”

Total 2018–20 Funding: €1,019 billion ($1,158 billion)

2020 Funding: €400.7 million ($455.4 million)

Highlights:

“€20 million [$23 million] for upcycling plastics of food and drinks packaging—calls open in July 2019”

“€97.5 million [$110.8 million] for sustainably using and reusing raw materials and water in industrial production—calls open in July 2019”

2020 Additions:

Among the supplements to this focus areas in 2020, the EC designated €135 million ($153 million) to support the EU Plastics Strategy.

 

“Digitizing and transforming European industry and services”

Total 2018–20 Funding: €1,796 billion ($2,041 billion)

2020 Funding: €649.1 million ($737.6 million)

Highlights:

“€50 million [$57 million] for automated driving solutions in Europe—call opens in December 2019”

“€110 million [$125 million] to use AI for better health solutions—calls open in November 2019 and April 2020”

 

“Boosting the effectiveness of the Security Union”

Total 2018–20 Funding: €1,041 billion ($1,183 billion)

2020 Funding: €427.4 million ($485.7 million)

Highlights:

“€116 million [$132 million] to develop cyber security and privacy technologies—calls open in November 2019 and March 2020”

€20 million [$23 million] for better understanding the human factors when combating disasters, fighting crime and terrorism & enhancing border security—call opens in March 2020”

For more information, please see the EC’s final document.