What's on the Horizon?

Cue 'Ode to Joy' (photo: Phil Ward)

A proposal for Horizon Europe, the successor to Horizon 2020, is due to be published on 7 June 2018. However there have been plenty of hints, suggestions and straightforward leaks already, and the current plan is the worst kept secret ever. So what do we know so far? Well, unless there are significant changes in the next couple of weeks, here are the seven take home points.

So That's Where the 2.9% Is Going!

Whilst David Cameron tussles with his European counterparts to try and get the EU funding increase reduced from a proposed 6% to 2.9%, we've got a little insight into where some of that funding increase is going. A new organogram! Hurrah! Yes, you read it right, and UKRO have got their hands on this beautiful beast. How dare you say that's taxpayer's money wasted? The European Union - the world - needs a new organogram.
An exciting knock on effect is that DG Research (that's Directorate General Research, or another way of saying the 'Dept for Research' in Eurospeak) has got a shiny new name. Wait for it, wait for it...it's DG Research and Innovation. This is to reflect (serious face now) the EU 2020 Strategy and the launch of the Innovation Union flagship initiative.
If you want the full, gory eurocrat-tastic detail of what the changes will mean, have a look at the UKRO story here. And do try and stay awake, Bond.