Horizon Europe Pillar 2 Cluster Guide for Applicants: Mapping Your Innovation to the Right Cluster

Horizon Europe Pillar 2 represents the EU’s core funding framework for research and innovation, structured around six thematic clusters. Selecting the appropriate cluster for your project is critical to demonstrate strategic fit, relevance, and maximise your chances of success. This Horizon Europe Pillar 2 cluster guide helps research institutions, SMEs, NGOs, and public bodies understand how to align their innovation or research idea with the right cluster and meet the expectations of evaluators.

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Understanding Horizon Europe Pillar 2 and Its Clusters

Horizon Europe is structured into three pillars. Pillar 2 focuses on Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, addressing societal challenges through targeted research and innovation activities. It is organised into six thematic clusters:

1. Health
2. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
3. Civil Security for Society
4. Digital, Industry and Space
5. Climate, Energy and Mobility
6. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Each cluster targets specific societal challenges and innovation ecosystems, with tailored calls and work programmes. Correctly mapping your project to one of these clusters is the essential first step in preparing a competitive proposal.

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Why Strategic Fit to a Cluster Matters

From an evaluator’s perspective, proposals must demonstrate:

• Alignment with the specific objectives and expected impacts described in the cluster’s work programme.
• Clear contribution to the cluster’s thematic priorities and EU policy goals.
• Suitability of the consortium, methodologies, and innovation approach for the cluster domain.

Misaligned proposals risk rejection even if technically sound. Demonstrating a strategic fit signals that you understand the cluster’s ambitions and that your project can leverage Horizon Europe resources effectively.

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Step-by-Step: Mapping Your Idea to the Right Cluster

1. Define Your Innovation or Research Focus

Start by clarifying the core problem your project addresses:

• Is it related to health technologies, disease prevention, or medical research? (Cluster 1: Health)
• Does it involve cultural heritage, social inclusion or creative industries? (Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society)
• Are you developing technologies or solutions for safety, cybersecurity, or crisis management? (Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society)
• Does your innovation focus on digital technologies, manufacturing, or space applications? (Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space)
• Is your project aimed at climate action, renewable energy, or sustainable mobility? (Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility)
• Are you working on sustainable agriculture, bio-based economy, or environmental protection? (Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)

2. Examine the Cluster Work Programmes

Review the latest Horizon Europe work programmes, available on the European Commission’s Participant Portal. Look for:

• Specific calls matching your topic
• Expected impacts and types of activities funded
• Eligibility criteria and consortium requirements

This step ensures your project fits the cluster’s thematic scope and funding priorities.

3. Align Your Project Objectives with Cluster Impacts

Each cluster defines specific expected impacts. For example, Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) may prioritise decarbonisation, clean energy integration, and sustainable transport.

Frame your objectives to contribute clearly to these impacts. Use language reflecting the cluster’s terminology and priorities to demonstrate alignment.

4. Identify the Most Relevant Calls

Sometimes your idea can fit into multiple clusters or calls. In such cases:

• Evaluate which cluster offers the best strategic fit in terms of scope and impact.
• Consider the competitiveness and funding availability of the calls.
• Review past funded projects and consortia to understand success patterns.

5. Validate with Experts and Networks

Engage with National Contact Points (NCPs), EU funding consultants, or thematic experts to validate your cluster choice. They can provide insights on strategic fit and evaluator expectations.

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Cluster Comparison: Key Features and Focus Areas

Cluster	Core Focus	Typical Applicants	Example Topics	Strategic Fit Tips
Health	Medical research, health technologies, disease prevention	Research institutes, biotech SMEs, hospitals	Digital health, rare diseases, pandemic preparedness	Highlight health impacts and patient-centred innovation
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society	Social sciences, cultural heritage, inclusive growth	Universities, cultural NGOs, SMEs in creative sectors	Digital arts, social innovation, democratic participation	Emphasise societal benefits and inclusion aspects
Civil Security for Society	Security technologies, disaster resilience, cyber defence	Public bodies, security tech SMEs, research units	Crisis management, cybersecurity, border security	Demonstrate operational relevance and security impact
Digital, Industry and Space	Digital transformation, manufacturing, space technologies	Tech SMEs, industry leaders, space agencies	AI, IoT, quantum tech, satellite systems	Focus on industrial competitiveness and tech readiness
Climate, Energy and Mobility	Climate action, renewable energy, sustainable transport	Energy companies, mobility providers, research bodies	Clean energy, mobility solutions, climate adaptation	Align with EU Green Deal and decarbonisation goals
Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment	Sustainable agriculture, bioeconomy, environmental protection	Farmers, bio-SMEs, environmental NGOs	Circular economy, biodiversity, soil health	Stress sustainability and bio-based innovation

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Examples of Strategic Fit for Different Organisations

Research Institution Pursuing Digital Health Innovation

A university developing AI-driven diagnostics should focus on Cluster 1: Health, specifically calls related to digital health and personalised medicine. Demonstrating how the project improves healthcare outcomes and aligns with EU health priorities strengthens the proposal.

SME Developing Cybersecurity Solutions

A cybersecurity startup targeting critical infrastructure protection fits best into Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society. Aligning project objectives with security resilience and crisis management expected impacts is key.

NGO Working on Climate Adaptation in Agriculture

An NGO promoting sustainable farming practices and climate resilience fits Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. Emphasising environmental protection and bioeconomy contributions will demonstrate fit.

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Evaluator Perspective: What They Look For in Cluster Alignment

• Relevance: Is the project clearly addressing the call topic and cluster objectives?
• Impact: Does the proposal describe credible impacts aligned with cluster priorities?
• Innovation: Is the innovation appropriate and competitive within the cluster’s field?
• Consortium: Does the team have the expertise and diversity relevant to the cluster?
• Coherence: Are work packages and methodology consistent with cluster expectations?

Failing to address these areas can lead to lower scores or outright rejection, even if the scientific or technical quality is high.

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Additional Tips for Successful Cluster Selection and Proposal Preparation

• Use the Horizon Europe Participant Portal to stay updated on cluster calls and deadlines.
• Avoid common pitfalls by reviewing our post on 7 EU Grant Application Mistakes to Avoid.
• Consider complementing Horizon Europe funding with programmes such as the Digital Europe Programme when relevant to your digital innovation.
• Build a strong consortium tailored to the cluster’s needs; see our guide on How to Build a Winning Consortium for EU-Funded Projects.
• Prepare an impact section that explicitly matches cluster expectations, guided by How to Write an Impact Section for EU Proposals.

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How Nexus Grant Solutions Supports Your Cluster Selection and Proposal Success

Navigating Horizon Europe Pillar 2 clusters requires expert insight and strategic clarity. At Nexus Grant Solutions, based in Brussels, we specialise in mapping your innovation or research idea to the optimal cluster and crafting proposals that resonate with evaluators.

Our services cover:

• Cluster and call identification tailored to your project
• Proposal development aligned with cluster priorities
• Consortium building and partnership facilitation
• Budget planning and impact articulation

Explore our full range of services or contact us directly for personalised support via our contact page. Discover how we have helped organisations secure Horizon Europe funding in our case studies.

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Aligning your project to the right Horizon Europe Pillar 2 cluster is the foundation of a successful EU grant application. Use this guide to ensure strategic fit, avoid common mistakes, and position your innovation for impact and funding success. Reach out to Nexus Grant Solutions to turn your Horizon Europe ambitions into reality.