On November 30, 2011 the European Commission has published a proposal for 'Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation'.

Horizon 2020 will run from 2014-2020 and will integrate the European framework programme, the programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and SMEs (COSME) as well as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The overall budget, which the Commission has put forward will be EUR 80 billion.

Horizon 2020 has a single Specific Programme, which is subdivided into four 'parts':

I. 'Excellent Science' (EUR 24.6 billion):

• European Research Council (EUR 13.2 billion)
• Marie Curie Actions (EUR 5.8 billion)
• Future and emerging technologies (FET) (EUR 3.1 billion)
• Research Infrastructures (EUR 2.4 billion)

II. 'Industrial Leadership' (EUR 17,9 billion):

• Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (EUR 13.8 billion):
  This part encompasses the themes information and communication technologies, nanotechnologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and processing, space.
• Enhancing access to risk finance for investing in research and innovation (EUR 3.5 billion)
• Innovation in KMU (EUR 619 million)

III. 'Societal challenges' (EUR 31.7 billion):

• Health, demographic change and wellbeing (EUR 8.0 billion)
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and the bio-economy (EUR 4.2 billion)
• Secure, clean and efficient energy (EUR 5.8 billion)
• Smart, green and integrated transport (EUR 6.8 billion)
• Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials (EUR 3.2 billion)
• Inclusive, innovative and secure societies (EUR 3.8 billion)

IV. 'Non- nuclear Direct Actions of the Joint Research Center (JRC) (EUR 2 billion)

The JRC will contribute thematically to Part II 'Industrial Leadership' and Part III 'Societal Challenges'.The direct actions of the Joint Research Centre amounts to a budget of EUR 2 billion.

The EIT will not be part of the Specific Programme and is supposed to be financed by EUR 2.8 billion, of which a huge part is dedicated to the 'Knowledge and Innovation Communities' (KICs).

The proposal package presented today comprises the following documents:

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions on Horizon 2020
• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council establishing Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)
• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council laying down the rules for the participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020
• Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon 2020
• Proposal for a Council Regulation on the research and training programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-18) complementing Horizon 2020

The proposals are accompanied by the ex-ante impact assessments.

Activities in the field of nuclear energy are part of 'Horizon 2020', however the Commission has published a separate proposal under the Euratom Treaty.

The Commission proposal will be presented to the Competitiveness Council on December 6. The first calls for proposals under Horizon 2020 might be published by the end of 2013.