Successful launch of the new EU funding program for research & innovation "Horizon Europe" on December 11, 2020.

When good planning is strengthened by positive events, the end result is a very informative and interesting event. This is how one could sum up the Saarland online launch event for the new EU research and innovation funding program "Horizon Europe". After the official welcomes by the President of Saarland University, the Saarland Minister President and the Federal Minister of Education and Research, the Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation introduced the new funding program with the words, "you could not have chosen a more topical date for the event." The representatives of the EU member states agreed on the funding budget for the new EU funding program of around EUR 95.5 million in a night meeting held in Brussels immediately before the event began.

Several times during the event, reference was made to the successful performance of Saarland innovation players in the expiring EU funding program "Horizon 2020". A total of more than 120 million euros in funding has already been brought to the Saarland. Special mention was made of the funds raised by Saarland SMEs - small and medium-sized enterprises - and non-university research institutions, as well as the outstanding participation of Saarland University in European excellence research. The event program was rounded off by a virtual panel discussion with Saarland innovation stakeholders who looked at the opportunities and challenges associated with the new funding program in perspective. There was consensus that Saarland is also well positioned for the upcoming funding period (2021-2027).

Following the launch event, concrete funding opportunities were presented in further online seminars as part of a digital "Horizon Europe" week. In addition, Saarland EU projects presented their virtual project stands with detailed information on exciting research topics and innovative ideas.

With around 350 participants in the various information formats, the attractive series of events was very well received by Saarland researchers and companies. Axel Koch, coordinator of the Saarland consulting and support project "Route 2025", which is responsible for the overall organization, was pleased with the very good response and positive feedback: "After the good start, we hope that we have been able to motivate many scientists and innovative companies in the region to submit project applications in the new funding period - and that Saarland will also be very successful in the new funding period".