Horizon 2020 – the successor to the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) – is the prominent funding programme. It runs from 2014 to 2020 with a €70.2 billion budget and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.

The other programmes are part of the Innovation Union, which is one of the 7 Flagship Initiatives of the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Innovation Union has main 3 goals:

• make Europe a world-class science Performer

• remove obstacles to innovation – like expensive patenting, market fragmentation, slow standard setting and skills shortages – that currently prevent ideas getting to market quickly

• revolutionise the way public and private sectors work together, notably through Innovation Partnerships between European institutions, national and regional authorities and Business.