The Horizon Europe programme, introduced by the European Union, is the world's largest research and innovation initiative running from 2021 to 2027. It allocates approximately USD 100 billion to address major global challenges through research and innovation. Participating nations provide guidance to their national stakeholders—such as research institutions and companies—on how to access and leverage this funding.

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising space science

• Understand national

policies and identify national policies that utilise space science data

• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders involved in policy implementation

• Access to space science data and analysis capabilities

• Inter-ministerial working group

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (national support activities)

• Includes: funding information sessions and workshops, technical assistance for proposal writing, matchmaking with international partners, creation of a national helpdesk or focal point, seed funding to co-finance applications, legal/financial review support.

Timeframe:

• Overall: 6–18 mo (per funding cycle)

• Phase: scoping & programme mapping (1–3 mo), capacity building and proposal preparation (3–6 mo), submission & evaluation (3–6 mo), negotiation & kickoff for successful projects (3–6 mo)

Pros:

• Funding Expansion – Expands funding opportunities and accelerates technological innovation.

Considerations:

• International Funding Application Burden – Requires detailed documentation and undergoes rigorous evaluation processes, often resulting in long timelines before selection and disbursement are finalized.