According to the current proposal by the European Commission, there is no dedicated component for culture or artistic research in the next Horizon Europe programme. Similarly, the European Parliament’s draft report on Horizon Europe does not establish a specific framework for culture. Instead, culture is referenced as a horizontal principle, without a distinct thematic cluster comparable to the current Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society).
Such an approach is seen as reducing visibility, limiting targeted funding opportunities, and weakening the role of culture within the programme. The draft also proposes structural changes, including the potential dissolution of the Society pillar, which would be integrated into a broader Competitiveness pillar.
In response, the Artistic Research Alliance has submitted proposed amendments to strengthen the cultural dimension within Horizon Europe. The Alliance has called for:
- The inclusion of culture within a dedicated framework by renaming the relevant policy window to “Culture and Global Societal Challenges”.
- An increase in funding for culture-related research, proposing a rise from €2.28 billion in the current programme to €5 billion in the next period.
Stakeholders argue that maintaining a clear and well-resourced structure for culture is essential to preserve the progress achieved under the current programme, where culture, the arts and the creative sectors have been recognised as strategic priorities for European research and innovation.
