Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space

The vision behind the proposed investments under Cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ is to shape competitive and trusted technologies for a European Union industry with global leadership in key areas; to enable production and consumption respecting the boundaries of our planet; and to maximise the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe.

Progress in digital and industrial technologies, including in space, shapes all sectors of the economy and society, transform the way industry develops, create new products and services, and are central to any sustainable future. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war against Ukraine and other disruptions have shown the need to strengthen the industrial base of the European Union and the Associated Countries, enhancing its resilience and flexibility both in terms of technologies and supply chains, so as to reduce strategic dependencies on third countries. They have also reinforced the need to address key societal challenges like sustainability or inclusiveness. In a globalised world of heightened uncertainties and volatile geopolitical interests, what is at stake is not only Europe’s prosperity and economic competitiveness, but also its ability to have access to critical raw materials, technologies and services that are safe and secure for industry as a whole.

As Europe gears up for a more resilient, green, and digital recovery, the EU needs to maintain a strong industrial and technology presence in key parts of digital and other supply chains, in industrial ecosystems while safeguarding its ability to access and operate safely in space. This is critical not only to be able to compete globally, but also to protect its citizens, deliver services and products of the highest quality, and preserve its values and socio-economic model. Europe must develop and deploy technologies and reshape its industries and services towards a new reality, ensuring that industry can become the accelerator and enabler of this necessary change.

Under the work programme 2023-2024 for Digital, Industry and Space, the following 6 destinations are listed below:
1. Climate neutral, circular and digitised production
2. Increased autonomy in key strategic value chain for resilient Industry
3. World-leading data and computing technologies
4. Digital & Emerging technologies for competitiveness and fit for the green deal
5. Open strategic autonomy in developing, deploying and using global space-based infrastructures, services, applications and data
6. A human-centred and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies

Learn more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-7-digital-industry-and-space_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf