Following an online naming competition, the next round of EC Framework funding is going to be called “Horizon 2020”. Three names were shortlisted. Horizon 2020 received 3,055 votes against, 2,785 for Imagine 2020, and 2,478 for Discover 2020. In total, 8,318 votes were received. The full name being put forward this year as part of the legislative proposal for the new programme is “Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation”.
The competition winners are Marcela Endlova, a student from the Czech Republic, and Beata Zyngier, a teacher from Poland who both suggested the name.
The EC see the new name as a step towards establishing research innovation at the heart of EU policy making and they hope it will help research connect with the wider public.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner is planning the new programme to fund research and innovation in a focused way which will clearly address global challenges.
“These different types of funding will be brought together in a coherent and flexible manner. This will be a smarter way to support researchers and innovators in Europe – so as to further boost excellence and to help ensure that good ideas reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs”
“The new programme now has a name with an optimistic ring that evokes vision, new possibilities and an ambitious view of what EU-funded research and innovation can achieve,” she said.
Featured image credit: iamharin via Shutterstock
EuroScientist is looking for contributors!
If you would like to write guest posts in EuroScientist magazine, send us your suggestions of articles at office@euroscientist.com.
- EU collaboration with Singapore - 19 March, 2012
- Innovative bread for picky Europeans - 1 February, 2012
- More money on the horizon - 8 December, 2011
EuroScientist journal 
There is already a EU programme called Horizon 2020:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/enlarg/med/horizon_2020_en.htm