Exploring synergies between Horizon Europe and the EU cohesion policy

The original full study analyses the evolution and current implementation status of synergies between the Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme (HE) and the funds and programmes underpinning the European Union's (EU) Cohesion Policy (CP). Synergies between the HE and CP funding instruments, as defined in the study, result from specific operational mechanisms that allow for identifying, pooling and exploiting funding complementarities. These mechanisms aim to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of research and innovation (R&I) funding, ultimately driving greater impact on innovation outcomes. Building on the achievements and obstacles of the operationalisation of synergies in the 2014-2020 programming period, the study asseses both the legal framework updates and the implementation status of those synergies pursued for the 2021-2027 period. It explores the evolution of synergy mechanisms and the extent of their implementation to date, and examines the persistent barriers and key drivers to synergy realisation, considering regional disparities in R&I performance and funding concentration across the EU.