Horizon Europe and the 2026–2027 Work Programme
Horizon Europe is a European Union research and innovation funding programme. France's dedicated national portal for the programme — horizon-europe.gouv.fr — notes the publication of the programme de travail 2026-2027, confirming a fresh funding cycle is now open for applicants.2
National Contact Points (PCNs) are a feature of Horizon Europe, with France's portal listing dedicated PCNs alongside guidance on how to apply.2 France's legal and financial PCN (PCN juridique et financier) is set to host a European Commission delegation for an event focused specifically on the implementation of Horizon Europe projects.2
Who Supports Applicants
France runs a network of National Contact Points covering different aspects of the programme, including thematic and legal-financial specialists.2 France's network includes thematic and legal-financial specialists, reflecting the complexity of grant rules that cover everything from personnel costs to indirect charges.2
The European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) both appear within the Horizon Europe structure, listed under separate pillars on France's national programme portal.2
The EU Framework Behind the Grants
Horizon Europe is overseen by the European Commission, which describes its own role as providing access to information about its political priorities, policies and services.8 The European Commission — whose official website describes its role as providing access to information about its political priorities, policies and services — oversees the programme's rules and implementation.8
The EU itself comprises 27 member states bound by founding treaties, each subject to shared obligations and benefits of membership.10
What to Watch Next
France's national portal notes the launch of the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe work programme by PCNs and the publication of the corresponding work programme.2 Applicants should monitor their national PCN for guidance on eligible cost categories, personnel rules, travel reimbursement thresholds, and flat-rate indirect cost calculations — all of which are defined in the programme's grant agreements.2
The upcoming Commission delegation event in France, focused on project implementation, may yield updated guidance on how costs are handled in practice.2