The European Commission adopted the main Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2026–2027, setting out upcoming funding opportunities under a total budget of €14 billion, of which at least 35% is dedicated to climate goals. This represents the final work programme in the Horizon Europe programming period 2021–2027, and will support both EU climate and competitiveness policy objectives, including the Clean Industrial Deal and the Net-Zero Industry Act, ultimately contributing to Europe's transition towards a decarbonised, competitive, and climate-resilient economy by 2050.

Horizon Europe, the EU's €93.5 billion flagship research and innovation programme running from 2021 to 2027, channels competitive funding through work programmes co-created by Commission services and co-designed with Member States, associated countries, the European Parliament, and over 2,000 stakeholders and citizens. 

• The work programme dedicates an estimated €4.9 billion to climate action across its clusters, with Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) receiving the highest estimated climate expenditure at €1.644 billion, covering activities spanning climate science, energy storage, renewable energy generation, grid modernisation, carbon capture utilisation and storage, and sustainable transport across all modes.
• The Missions Work Programme for 2026–2027 includes three climate-relevant missions: the EU Mission on Adaptation (€226 million) focusing on accelerating climate adaptation and protecting cultural heritage; the EU Cities Mission (€220 million) supporting cleaner urban energy and mobility systems and circular infrastructure; and the EU Soil Mission (€246 million) strengthening soil health through improved monitoring, sustainable land management, and ecosystem restoration.
• The work programme supports key European partnerships including Clean Aviation, Clean Hydrogen, the Batteries European Partnership Association, 2Zero, CCAM, Europe's Rail, and SESAR, ensuring continuity and coherence across the full spectrum of transport and energy innovation programmes.

Cluster 5 of the 2026–2027 work programme places transport decarbonisation at the centre of European research and innovation ambitions, promoting more sustainable mobility across road, rail, aviation, and waterborne modes. Activities advance zero- and low-emission vehicles, electrification, and sustainable fuels across the entire transport value chain, addressing both technological development and system-level integration challenges. The estimated €1.2 billion dedicated to transport-related topics within Cluster 5 represents a substantial and sustained commitment to transforming European mobility systems whilst maintaining industrial competitiveness.

The transport programme builds on significant achievements from earlier calls and partnerships. The 2Zero Partnership continues advancing zero-emission road transport technologies, including battery electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and circular automotive solutions. 

Source: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-other-reads/news/commission-adopts-main-horizon-europe-work-programme-2026-2027-and-dedicates-eu49-billion-climate-2025-12-11_en