HORIZON EUROPE CLUSTERS 1–6
Transform ideas into impactful projects with Horizon Europe
This massive funding programme of the European Union annually launches major funding opportunities for ambitious research and innovation. Covering health, society, security, digitalisation, industry, climate, mobility and the environment, these Horizon Europe clusters 1-6 support high‑impact collaborative projects that drive Europe’s strategic priorities forward. Spinverse helps you navigate the competition, build strong consortia and turn your ideas into winning proposals.
Funding opportunities for collaborative research and innovation projects with Horizon Europe
Pillar II of Horizon Europe is the beating heart of the EU’s strategy to address society’s most complex challenges through collaborative research and innovation. With a budget exceeding €50 billion (2021–2027), Pillar II funds large-scale projects that bring together industry, academia, public authorities and civil society across Europe and beyond. The aim is to deliver tangible impact on health, environment, digitalisation, economic resilience and social wellbeing, all while supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy and global leadership.
Pillar II is organised into six thematic clusters, each targeting a strategic challenge area. Calls are highly competitive, requiring multidisciplinary consortia and proposals that deliver clear European added value.
Six thematic clusters: Your opportunity for impact
Each cluster is a dedicated funding area targeting a specific set of societal or industrial challenges, with its own work programme, priorities and expected outcomes.
Cluster 1: Health
Advancing health research and healthcare innovation for all Europeans. Cluster 1 funds projects that improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as to strengthen health systems across Europe.
Scope:
- Understanding disease mechanisms, risk factors and healthy lifestyles
- Tackling infectious diseases, cancer and rare diseases
- Developing digital health tools, personalised medicine and advanced therapies
- Enhancing health systems, policy and preparedness for health crises
What is expected: Multidisciplinary approaches, strong links to European health strategies, measurable benefits for patients and systems, and routes to real-world uptake.
We help you translate cutting-edge science into funding proposals with robust impact logic and policy alignment, build consortia that blend clinical, tech and public sector strengths and ensure your project stands out on a crowded field.
Cluster 2: Culture, creativity and inclusive society
Transforming societies through culture, governance and social innovation. Cluster 2 supports projects addressing democracy, cultural heritage and inclusive social change.
Scope:
- Promoting democratic values, effective governance and civic participation
- Harnessing culture and creative industries for economic and social renewal
- Managing migration, integration, and tackling inequalities
- Fostering education, skills and social resilience
What is expected: Clear contributions to EU values, cross-disciplinary methods and credible pathways to policy and societal change.
We can connect social science, technology and creative partners, ensuring proposals are both innovative and policy-relevant. We also help you frame societal impact in ways that resonate with evaluators.
Cluster 3: Civil security for society
Securing Europe against evolving threats. Cluster 3 funds projects that boost Europe’s resilience to disasters, crime, terrorism and cyber threats.
Scope:
- Preventing and responding to natural and man-made disasters
- Enhancing cybersecurity and fighting disinformation
- Protecting infrastructure and borders
- Developing new tools for law enforcement and crisis management
What is expected: Operational solutions, cross-border cooperation, compliance with EU security rules and clear impacts for citizens’ safety.
We have a wide network of security-cleared partners and industry experts and strong track record in securing defence & security related funding calls. We structure a compliant consortia and shape funding proposals to pass strict security and ethical scrutiny.
Read more about Defence & security 
Cluster 4: Digital, industry and space
Driving Europe’s technological and industrial leadership. Cluster 4 accelerates the development and adoption of advanced digital, industrial and space technologies.
Scope:
- Artificial intelligence, robotics, and data-driven innovation
- Next-generation electronics and advanced materials
- Smart manufacturing, process industries, and circular value chains
- Space-based technologies, services, and infrastructures
What is expected: Projects with high technical ambition, scalability, strong market orientation, and contribution to Europe’s technological independence.
We help you position your innovation at the intersection of digital, industry and space, align with EU sovereignty ambitions, as well as build consortia with both tech disruptors and established leaders.
Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Accelerating the green transition and sustainable mobility. Cluster 5 funds research and innovation for climate action, sustainable energy and future-proof transport systems.
Scope:
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
- Renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart grids
- Clean mobility, zero-emission vehicles, and integrated transport systems
- Urban and rural environmental transitions
What is expected: Integration across sectors, contributions to EU climate targets, and demonstration of solutions in real-world settings.
We bring together technology providers, cities, industry and academia to build large-scale pilots and demonstration projects that create real, lasting impact.
Cluster 6: Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment
Building sustainable systems for food, resources, and the environment. Cluster 6 invests in transforming food systems, protecting biodiversity, and promoting a circular bioeconomy.
Scope:
- Sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- Food safety, nutrition, and sustainable supply chains
- Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration
- Circular economy, bio-based innovation and resource efficiency
- Water, soil and land management
What is expected: Holistic, multi-actor approaches, policy alignment and measurable environmental and societal benefits.
We facilitate cross-sector consortia, align innovation with the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy and ensures your funding proposal addresses both environmental and economic sustainability.
Find out if you are eligible
Are you ready to compete for Horizon Europe Pillar II funding?
Key eligibility points:
- Your consortium must include at least three independent organisations from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
- Eligible participants: Companies (SMEs and large), universities, research organisations, public authorities, NGOs and end-user groups.
- Calls often require multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral teams.
- Most funding covers 100% of eligible costs for research actions and 70% (100% for non-profits) for innovation actions.
Did you know?
Projects must demonstrate clear European added value local or national projects are not funded. Many successful consortia include both technical and non-technical partners to cover the entire innovation value chain. Spinverse can assess your eligibility and help you strengthen your consortium for maximum competitiveness.
How to crack Horizon Europe Pillar II: Spinverse’s insider tips
Success in Horizon Europe is not luck. It is strategy, storytelling and partnership. Here’s our insights on how the frontrunners get ahead and how Spinverse helps you join them:
How to crack Horizon Europe Pillar II: Spinverse’s insider tips
Success in Horizon Europe is not luck. It is strategy, storytelling and partnership. Here’s our insights on how the frontrunners get ahead and how Spinverse helps you join them:
Make your innovation unmissable: Don’t just fit the call, stand out. Frame your idea as the perfect answer to real European need. We help you decode the EU’s priorities and make sure your funding proposal is precisely tailored to the cluster’s objectives and expected outcomes.
Build a focussed strong team, not just a consortium: Winning consortia are more than a checklist. They’re alliances of industry leaders, research pioneers, public authorities, SMEs and end users each bringing unique value. Through our European network, Spinverse finds partners who elevate your proposal from eligible to exceptional.
Design for real-world impact: Evaluators want to see your results in action: market uptake, policy change, societal benefit. We work with you to write a compelling impact narrative, complete with concrete exploitation, dissemination plans and KPIs that make your ambitions credible and measurable.
Connect the story to implementation: A strong scientific or technical concept is only the starting point. You must also present a realistic work plan, clear management structure and robust risk mitigation. Spinverse brings onboard funding proposal writing expertise and project management know-how.
Learning from the best: Top proposals are written for busy reviewers: concise, jargon-free and directly answering every call requirement. We ensure your funding proposal is evaluator-friendly, evidence-based and easy to score at the top of each criterion.
What are the evaluators really looking for?
- Excellence: Is your science or innovation truly next-level?
- Impact: Will your results move the needle for the EU and society?
- Implementation:
Can you deliver on time, on budget and as a team?
Why Spinverse?
We don’t just submit funding proposals - we build winning proposals
Our track record covers several clusters, with more than €1.1 billion secured for our customers across sectors so far.
We know what works
Our insights are based on 20+ years of hands-on experience, direct evaluator feedback, and real success stories.
We open doors
Our network of more than 1000 partners in the Horizon Europe domain connects you to the best partners in Europe, increasing your credibility and reach.
We demystify EU funding
From call scouting to grant agreement, we are your trusted guide. Our experts combine industry experience with deep knowledge of Horizon Europe cluster requirements.
Ready to make your mark in Horizon Europe? Let’s win together. Spinverse supports organisations across the entire funding journey – from identifying the right calls and shaping a winning strategy to building strong consortia, developing compelling concepts and writing high‑quality proposals. We help you design credible impact and exploitation plans, prepare robust budgets, manage Grant Agreement Preparation and successfully coordinate funded projects.
What our customers say
Spinverse has proven experience in preparing successful Horizon Europe funding proposals across the several thematic area of clusters 1-6, supporting both public and private organisations.
UNCAN-CONNECT
Spinverse and their Digital Health team played a central role in shaping our successful UNCAN-Connect project. Their structured approach, deep knowledge of EU Funding and hands-on guidance turned our vision into a strong and competitive proposal. Based on our experience, Spinverse is a trusted and capable partner for complex EU project preparations.
ENERGY ECS
Spinverse team has done a marvellous job guiding the partners through the proposal building phase and towards the successful funding of the Energy ECS project. Their structured approach to managing complexity and support with daily administration of the Project Coordination Office are highly appreciated.
APECS
Spinverse had very good professional understanding of the project and knowledge of proposal formalities and procedures. Their combination of skills made them an invaluable partner for our APECS proposal, significantly contributing to our success..
PREDICTFTD
The Spinverse team was crucial for the coordination of consortium teams and their ideas for the submission of the PREDICTFTD proposal. They were able to link all the parts effectively and get the best out of every partner.
Talk to our expert
Get in touch to discuss whether there are suitable options among the many choices within the Horizon Europe programme and how Spinverse can support your funding proposal preparation.
Janne Kaukojärvi
Insights on funding programmes
FAQs
Horizon Europe Clusters 1-6 are thematic funding areas under Pillar II of Horizon Europe, designed to support collaborative research and innovation projects that contribute to EU policy priorities and long-term competitiveness.
Each cluster focuses on a specific thematic area under Pillar II, addressing different EU policy priorities and societal challenges.
Yes. SMEs can participate either individually within consortia or as technology providers, innovators or demonstration partners.
Cluster calls are highly competitive, with typical success rates ranging from 10% to 20% depending on the topic and budget.
Projects often range from €3 million to €15 million total budget, depending on the call and action type.