Find information that will simplify your application to Horizon Europe, including in-depth guidance on specific topics, useful links, and frequently asked questions.
On this page
Applicant how-tos
Please consult the following guides to explore the funding opportunities available through Canada's association to Horizon Europe.
- Horizon Europe application checklist
- Horizon Europe Pillar 1
- Horizon Europe Pillar 2
- Horizon Europe Pillar 3
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Intellectual property (IP)
- European partnerships
- Eligible costs
- National Contact Point roles and responsibilities
- How to find Horizon Europe consortium partners
- How to use CORDIS
- Finding Horizon Europe program calls
- Open Science
- Ethics and integrity
- Gender equality plan
- Horizon Europe grants: Management and processes
- Legal Entity Appointed Representative (LEAR)
- European missions in Horizon Europe
- Horizon Europe proposal evaluation process
- Roles within a Horizon Europe consortium
- Horizon Europe: Benefits for Canadian businesses
Helpful links
Find help and resources to help you navigate Horizon Europe.
Horizon Europe
The European Commission's main program website.
Horizon Europe Made Easy
(PDF, 936 KB)
This package is your guide to accessing funding and opportunities. It provides basic information regarding Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe as an associated country.
EU Funding & Tenders online manual
A user guide to grants, procurements, and prizes, and how to manage them electronically in the Funding & Tenders portal.
Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS)
Comprehensive information about EU research and development projects.
EU Science & Innovation
A YouTube channel with videos about EU research and innovation activities, including how-to videos on Horizon Europe.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide
Detailed guidance on Horizon Europe's structure, budget, and political priorities. It also explains how to prepare proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions on Horizon Europe
The European Commission's answers to common questions about Horizon Europe.
EU Partner Search
An online search tool to help you find organizations registered with the European Commission, based on the criteria you select.
Horizon Europe: Investing to shape our future
The European Union presents an overview of Horizon Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Associate status—Why is Canada's association under Pillar 2 important?
With Canada's association under Pillar 2, Canadians can now:
- Join and lead consortium projects
- Receive direct funding
- Collaborate with European partners and other associated countries in various research and innovation areas
- Important: Due to the complexity of leading a Pillar 2 application, Canadian organizations that are new to Horizon Europe should connect with consortia that have previously led Horizon Europe applications.
- Benefit from increased collaboration and networking
- Expand the reach and citation impact of their research
- Showcase their expertise on the international stage, potentially leading to commercialization of tangible solutions to global challenges
- Retain their Intellectual Property Rights for awarded projects
Learn more: Canada's role in Horizon Europe
Classified information—What is the difference between "classified information" and "sensitive information"?
"Classified information" is information whose unauthorised disclosure could adversely impact the interests of the EU, or one or more of its Member States. It is usually determined by the EU and/or national rules. The EU classification contains four levels:
- EU top secret
- EU secret
- EU confidential
- EU restricted
"Sensitive information" refers to information that should not be made public (e.g. commercially sensitive information, business or trade secrets, confidential market data, valuable results not yet protected by intellectual property rights, or security-sensitive information).
Digital tools—Do Canadians have equal access to the Horizon Results Platform as their EU counterparts?
Canadian beneficiaries can use the Horizon Results Platform to publish their project results, as EU beneficiaries do. Any interested party can access the Horizon Results Platform to discover results from Horizon Europe projects.
Eligibility—Who is eligible for Horizon Europe funding?
Funding eligibility depends on the pillar:
- Pillar 1: Individual researchers with a PhD seeking a Fellowship with organizations within in Europe to continue their research.
- Pillar 2: Canadian legal entities that are part of a consortium that includes organizations from the EU and Pillar 2 associated countries.
- Pillar 3: Start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises whose business is located in one of the EU Member State.
Intellectual Property—How is intellectual property managed?
Applicants must outline their strategy for managing intellectual property, including
- protection measures (if relevant)
- how these measures would support exploitation in the proposal (section on impact)
Horizon Europe specifically aims to strengthen the deployment and exploitation of innovative solutions. This calls for transparency and clarity in terms of results ownership. The natural or legal entity that generates the results is the owner of those results.
Information sharing—Are Canadians barred from sharing their results with United States counterparts?
As a general rule, Canadians are not barred from sharing their results with non-associated countries, such as the United States.
Terminology—What is the difference between "third parties" and "contractors"?
A "contractor" refers to a party with whom a contractual relationship exists, such as between a beneficiary and another legal entity.
A "third party" is a legal entity that does not sign the grant agreement.
Timing—When should I apply?
2024 topics under Pillar 2 are currently open for proposals. It is important to develop the application with the consortium lead as early as possible, ahead of the deadlines.
Learn more: Application process