Horizon 2020 reflects the policy priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy and addresses major concerns shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere.

The challenge-based approach brings together resources and knowledge across different fields, technologies and disciplines, including social sciences and the humanities. This will cover activities from research to market with a new focus on innovation-related activities.

The “Societal Challenges” pillar addresses the following challenges:

1. health, demographic change and wellbeing;
   
2. food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy;
   
3. secure, clean and efficient energy;
   
4. smart, green and integrated transport;
   
5. climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
   
6. Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
   
7. secure societies – protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.