Evaluation study on excellent science in the European framework programmes for research and innovation : executive summary phase 2 : supporting the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe

This evaluation study, performed in line with the Better Regulation Guidelines, serves as an input into the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027. Established by Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council and implemented by Decision (EU) 2021/764, Horizon Europe is the European Union's key research and innovation programme, with a budget of EUR 95.5 billion. This study assesses the contribution of Horizon Europe to excellent science across the Framework Programme (FP), with a particular focus on activities under Pillar 1, Excellent Science - namely, the European Research Council (ERC), the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), and Research Infrastructures (INFRA), including the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Partnership, as well as activities under the horizontal pillar on Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA).