Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness

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Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness
Strengthening Ireland’s Environmental Research: Updates and Opportunities in Horizon Europe 2026–2027

Strengthening Ireland’s Environmental Re...

by Eva Cummins

Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Research and innovation continue to be critical components of the EU’s goals to be more sustainable, competitive and resilient with an allocation of €14 billion to the final two years of Horizon Europe recently announced in the Work Programme for 2026 and 2027. Upcoming Cluster 6 calls will address challenges associated with ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and other important areas.

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Europe’s Budget Pivot: Security, Competitiveness, and Ireland’s Strategic Choices

Europe’s Budget Pivot: Security, Competi...

by Eva Cummins

Cluster 3 Civil Security for Society

The European Commission’s proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 signals a profound shift in EU spending priorities. This shift is in reaction to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia; the hybrid pressure campaign attributed to Russia such as drone incursions, GPS jamming, cable cuts, arson/sabotage at logistics hubs, and cyber operations; and doubts about US commitment to NATO.

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EqualHouse: Identifying solutions to address European housing inequalities in a more sustainable, affordable and inclusive way

EqualHouse: Identifying solutions to add...

by Brigid Burke

Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Ireland is not the only European country facing a severe shortage of affordable housing. While the causes may differ, the problem is shared across almost every EU Member State. The Horizon Europe-funded EqualHouse project seeks to provide robust, evidence-based guidance to support and empower policymakers and other stakeholders in the development of affordable, inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.

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Cluster 6 and the Mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030

Cluster 6 and the Mission to Restore Our...

by Eva Cummins

Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

The NCP network has been busy preparing for the launch of the 2026 calls and highlighting future opportunities under the 2027 work programmes. An analysis undertaken of the upcoming calls with links to marine and maritime related research and innovation shows that there is approximately €1.55Bn available in the last part of the Framework Programme for SMEs, industry and academic researchers.

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Social sciences and humanities (SSH) Integration

Social sciences and humanities (SSH) Int...

by Eva Cummins

Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

The first Horizon Europe monitoring report for SSH Integration, covering the period 2021-2023 was released over the summer. In total 40% of Topics under Horizon Europe have been flagged as being SSH relevant, and 41% of total funding has gone to those Topics. Unsurprisingly, Cluster 2 saw high levels of involvement, but there was meaningful involvement , and significant levels of coordination, right across all Clusters.

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Boosting women led innovation in farming and rural communities

Boosting women led innovation in farming...

by Brigid Burke

Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

The Horizon Europe-funded GRASS CEILING (Gender Equality in Rural and Agricultural Innovation Systems) project has highlighted the significant but often invisible role played by women in the success of European farm enterprises and their potential to make an even greater contribution both to farms and rural economies if the right support frameworks are in place.

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Driving Europe Forward: A New Era for Connected and Automated Mobility  

Driving Europe Forward: A New Era for Co...

by Eva Cummins

Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility

In a landmark move to future-proof Europe’s automotive industry, the European Commission has launched the European Connected and Automated Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA)—a bold initiative uniting key stakeholders to accelerate innovation in smart mobility, autonomous driving, and sustainable transport.
This new alliance marks a strategic merger of three major Horizon Europe partnerships: 2Zero, CCAM and BATT4EU.

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FLIARA: Challenging gender stereotypes around farm and rural innovation

FLIARA: Challenging gender stereotypes a...

by Brigid Burke

Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

The Horizon Europe-funded FLIARA project has shone a spotlight on the often hidden and undervalued contribution made by women innovators to agriculture and rural communities across Ireland and Europe. The project explores the challenges faced by women innovators in this sphere and has produced policy recommendations on how best to tap into this vast underutilised resource.

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