H2020 Dashboard: Germany

​Horizon 2020 is the largest EU funding instrument for Research and Innovation. For the current funding period (2014-2020) the programme has a total budget of almost 80 billion euro. As part of Schuman´s H2020 Dashboard, Germany will be the next country to be analysed.

Looking at the statistics, Germany takes a prominent role in Horizon 2020. The country is the number one recipient of funds (6,2 Billion euros). This means, that around 16% of EU funding from Horizon 2020 goes to Germany. The UK received the second most contributions with 5,4 Billion Euros and France, as the third, received 4,3 Billion Euros. 

The country is also very active in submitting project proposals. With 40.166 out of a total of 178.723 eligible project proposals, Germany is the country with the 4^thhighest number of applications, being responsible for 22% of proposals. Of these eligible proposals, 6.051 were retained, giving Germany the 2^ndhighest number of successful project applications. Only the UK with 6.834 successful proposals have more success. Italy, which comes third on this ranking has 4.703 successful applications.

German researchers are also very active. No country has more project participations than Germany (12.675). The United Kingdom as the country with the second most participations counts 11.863. Spain as the third has 10.774. Out of the top 10 participating entities, 2 are German, the "Max-Planck Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaft" and the "Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung". The latter has the second most participations with 715, generating 420.458.198 Euros in funding. The Max-Planck Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaft took part in 430 projects. The total of 604.593.289 Euros in received funds makes the entity the second most funded organisation.

The two largest recipients of funds from the private sector are Siemens (46 Million Euros) and Bosch (40 Million Euros).

Overall, looking at the type of entity that applied for H2020 funds in Germany, higher or secondary education is the most prominent sector. About 40% of the total of 35 Billion Euros were applied for by higher and secondary education entities. 

​Furthermore, German SMEs are very active in Horizon 2020. So far, small and medium sized businesses have received 793 Million Euros in funding, or 12% of the total. No country has received more H2020 funding for SMEs. Spain, which received the second highest amount, was awarded 789 Million Euros, the UK as the third largest beneficiary received 743 Million Euros. Overall, there were about 2400 participations by German SMEs in Horizon 2020 projects.

Upcoming H2020 opportunities for German organisations

On 12 March 2019 applications were opened for 13 energy efficiency topics, with total EU funding amounting to €93 million. The themes of the project proposals under these topics include smart innovations for buildings, sustainable energy skills in the construction sector, energy performance, assessment and audits, project development assistance and innovative financing. Applicants need to submit their proposals by 3 September 2019 and the results will be known by February 2020.

How we can support you?

Through its office in Germany, Schuman Associates can offer overall support to German entities with their bid strategy towards H2020. Schuman Associates can help you to turn your innovation idea into a success and benefit from H2020 through the entire process, from identifying the right opportunity to submitting and implementing your H2020 project. 

If you want to take a look to H2020 Dashboards for Greece, Romania and Spain click on the links.

For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.