On February 22, 2021, the Commission presented the first work program under Horizon Europe, the work program of the European Research Council. The first call will be launched on February 25, 2021.

It foresees, for exploratory research actions, three main calls for proposals for a total amount of 1.9 billion euros. The European Research Council awards grants to excellent researchers from all over the world who are willing to come to or stay in Europe to carry out pioneering scientific and technological work that can provide the basis for new industries, new markets and social innovations of the future. Out of the total long-term EU budget for the period 2021-2027, the European Research Council is expected to receive more than €16 billion from Horizon Europe, an increase of 22% compared to Horizon 2020.