Horizon Europe - Analysis of the Strategic Plan for the Year: R&D and Innovation Layout Amid Geopolitical Changes

Key Chapter Title List

1. Social Challenges and Response Policies
2. The EU R&I Landscape from a Global Perspective
3. Emerging R&D Needs and Potential Driven by Global Challenges
4. Core Potential and Implementation Progress of the Horizon Europe Programme
5. Potential and Limitations in Innovation Output Transformation
6. Evolution and Consequences of the Geopolitical Landscape
7. The Unique Role of R&I
8. R&I Needs for Implementing the Green Deal
9. R&I Needs for Digital and Technological Transformation
10. R&I Needs for Enhancing EU Resilience
11. Synergies Between Horizon Europe and Other EU Funds
12. Gap Analysis and Strategic Compensation Across Various Fields

Document Introduction

The world is currently experiencing multiple overlapping crises and geopolitical restructuring. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the energy crisis, and climate change have intensified uncertainty, highlighting the urgency for the EU's open strategic autonomy and resilience building. In this context, Research and Innovation (R&I) has become central to the EU's policy agenda. As the EU's flagship R&D funding framework, the strategic planning and implementation of the Horizon Europe programme for 2025-2027 are directly linked to the EU's capacity for green transition, digital transition, and addressing global challenges.

Based on solid empirical research and forward-looking analysis, this report systematically outlines the current state and global positioning of the EU's R&I ecosystem. It provides an in-depth analysis of core issues faced by the EU under global changes, including strategic dependencies, technological gaps, and regional imbalances. By integrating data from the December 2022 citizen engagement activities, the 12-week public consultation (involving 2258 respondents), and various policy documents and data, the report constructs an analytical framework covering four dimensions: social challenges, the R&D landscape, innovation needs, and programme potential.

Methodologically, the report combines diverse tools such as customized foresight forecasting, the latest performance evaluation data (e.g., the EU's 2022 R&D Performance Report), multi-level global scenario simulations, and cluster gap analysis to ensure the objectivity and foresight of its conclusions. Data sources include patent application statistics, scientific publication metrics, R&D expenditure accounting, and policy implementation tracking, comprehensively covering R&I dynamics across all 27 EU member states and major global economies.

Key findings reveal that while the EU remains a powerhouse in scientific output (accounting for 20% globally in 2020), it lags behind the United States, China, and Japan in areas such as R&D intensity (percentage of GDP) and digital technology patents. Although it maintains a lead in the green transition, it must contend with the rapid catch-up of economies like China. In terms of digital sovereignty, there are risks of strategic dependency in key technology areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The report identifies three priority directions for future EU R&D: systemic changes related to the Green Deal, achieving autonomy and control in digital and technological transformation, and resilience building encompassing civil security, health security, and social equity.

The report also assesses the implementation progress of the Horizon Europe programme for 2021-2022, including the handling of 44,832 eligible proposals, a project success rate of 15.9%, and a funding gap of 34 billion euros for high-quality proposals. It emphasizes key policy demands such as enhancing synergies with other EU funds, eliminating regional innovation divides, and promoting the transformation of results. This report provides an authoritative reference for understanding the strategic adjustments in EU R&I and holds significant guiding value for policymakers, R&D institutions, businesses, and international partners.