Horizon Europe newsletter

Ascend Innovation Conference, Copenhagen
The European Innovation Council team attended the ASCEND Innovation Conference which focused on turning Europe’s breakthrough technologies into globally scalable companies - the event took place in Copenhagen in November under the Danish presidency, connecting with the Danish Delegation and EISMEA (EC). Pictured L-R: Lukas Overgaard, Academic Officer at the Technical University of Denmark; Julie Stubbe Jensen, EU Officer at Technical University Denmark; Justyna Tisserand, Project Adviser at EC; Daniela Angione, National Delegate and NCP for EIC and James Walsh, NCP for EIC.

Ireland in Horizon Europe
As we approach the end of the fifth year of the seven-year Horizon Europe programme, Ireland has secured €1.05bn in funding representing 2.08% of all awards to date - so far, €50.64bn of the €93.5bn fund has been allocated. 552 Irish organisations have signed 1598 grants with one in five eligible proposals receiving funding. There are just two years to go but plenty of opportunities remain - the Horizon Europe main work programme for 2026-2027 has now been adopted and published so get in touch with any member of our National Support Network team to find out how you can participate.

Six new ERC grant awards for Ireland
The latest European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator grant competition has been described as "the most competitive ever" having received a 35 percent increase in applications compared to the previous round. Six researchers from Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland have been awarded grants for projects ranging from AI in the legal system to new therapies for bone cancer - you can read the full story here.

New Irish Research Management Professionals Association (IRMPA)

Research Management professionals gathered in Dublin this week for an inspiring networking event to celebrate IRMPA's upcoming CLG status and to share updates on the progress of the organisation - Kevin Burke, National Director for Horizon Europe, was a participant in a panel discussion on the future of research management. The National Support Network team wishes the association every success and looks forward to working closely with IRMPA in the future.

Success Stories series

Our latest Ireland success stories are both focused on women-led projects: GRASS CEILING highlights the significant but often invisible role played by women in the success of European farm enterprises while HIDDEN looks at the history of Identity Documentation regimes in Europe, drawing connections between the past and present. You can read these success stories further below.

If you are an SME participating in a Horizon Europe project and would like to feature in our success story series, please email horizonsupport@enterprise-ireland.com.

National Support Network team updates
In this month's newsletter, ERC and Cluster 2 NCP Patrick Lansley gives an overview of the recommendations identified in a monitoring report for Social Scientific and Humanities (SSH) integration in Horizon Europe. Cluster 6 NCP Fiona Grant provides a comprehensive overview of opportunities in marine-related research while NCP Philip Cheasty focuses on opportunities under Cluster 5 Energy and the New European Bauhaus.

IMR's Industry Members Network Event
Irish Manufacturing Research's (IMR's) annual event for Industry Members took place in Mullingar on 20 November. More than 100 industry leaders, technology experts and member companies attended along with members of the Horizon Europe National Support Network team.
Pictured L-R: Kevin Fraser, IMR; Sergio Fernandez-Ceballos, Cluster 4 National Delegate, Enterprise Ireland; Daniela Angione, EIC National Delegate, Enterprise Ireland; Bob Flynn, Cluster 5 National Delegate, Enterprise Ireland; Karl Crowley, IMR; Claire Whelan, Cluster 4 National Contact Point (NCP), Enterprise Ireland; Stephen O'Reilly, Cluster 4 NCP, Enterprise Ireland; Lise-Ann Sheahan, IMR and Mark Sweeney, Cluster 6 NCP, Enterprise Ireland.

Patrick Lansley National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe ERC Social Scientific & Humanities (SSH) and Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

SSH integration is driving collaboration across Horizon Europe. With 40% of topics flagged as SSH-relevant and strong involvement from Irish partners, the latest report highlights its growing impact. Patrick shares key recommendations for successful multidisciplinary projects and insights into what’s next for SSH in the upcoming Framework.

You can read Patrick's report here.

Fiona Grant National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe Cluster 6 – Natural Resources and NCP for Ocean and Waters Mission

Major opportunities are ahead for marine and maritime research. With €1.55 billion in funding available under Horizon Europe’s final phase, Fiona highlights upcoming calls, key events, and practical guidance to help you engage. From January’s Info Days and brokerage events to European Ocean Days in March, learn how to contribute to the mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030. Find the details here.

Upcoming events:

15-17 Dec - EU Agri-Food Days 2025. Details here.
15 Jan - Horizon Europe Cluster 5 info day. Details here.
20 Jan - Novelties in the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe work programme. Details here.
20-21 Jan Horizon Europe info days - EU Missions. Details here.
21 Jan - Cluster 6 Brokerage event. Details here.
22-23 Jan - Horizon Europe Cluster 6 info day. Details here.
28-29 Jan - NCP4Missions’ Brokerage event. Details here.
10 Feb - RTR 2026 Results from Road Transport Research - Details here.
12 Feb - Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal? Details here.
2-6 Mar - European Ocean Days. Details here.
23 Mar - European Robotics Forum 2026. Details here.