Horizon Europe, the current 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, also offers a wide range of funding opportunities for the social sciences and humanities. Preparations are currently underway for the successor programme to Horizon Europe. What is the status of the discussions here?
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Social science and humanities topics are being addressed in various areas of Horizon Europe. The programme area "Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" stands out in particular. Here, European consortia are funded to conduct research into democracies, extremism, cultural diversity, inequalities or the social impact of transformation processes, for example. Horizon Europe will run until 2027 - preparations for a possible 10th EU research framework programme have already begun. These activities are embedded in the plans for the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The EU Commission is considering merging funding for research and innovation into a large competitiveness fund in the future. However, the research ministers of the EU member states have recently emphasised the importance of independent EU research framework programmes. The European Parliament has also called for an independent 10th EU Research Framework Programme, as have numerous stakeholders from the scientific community - from Germany, for example, the German Rectors' Conference and the Alliance of Science Organisations.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has positioned itself with a series of focus papers on the content priorities and structural aspects of a 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The focus paper "European Societies of the Future: Research for a Democratic, Culturally Diverse and Socially Equitable Europe" addresses the role of the humanities and social sciences. The paper proposes continuing to provide a separate programme section for research funding on social sciences and humanities topics. In terms of content, this programme area should be oriented towards the following topics:
a) Democracy, governance and international relations
b) Culture and society
c) Fair social change
d) Anticipating the European future
In addition, the integration of the humanities and social sciences should also be further promoted in all other thematic areas of the future research framework programme.
