Evaluation study on the relevance and internal coherence of Horizon 2020 and its policy mix

The purpose of the 'Evaluation study on the relevance and internal coherence of Horizon 2020 and its policy mix' is to provide the European Commission with the specific data and analyses needed to support the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 regarding the evaluation criteria 'relevance' and 'internal coherence'. Evidence has been gathered during the period August 2021 to September 2022 using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Next to the Horizon 2020 policy mix, the study focuses on processes related to the strategic programming and work programme development. The findings overall show high levels of relevance and internal coherence of Horizon 2020. It proved to be more than its predecessors, which addressed industrial competitiveness, innovation and societal challenges, while continuing to invest in the excellence of the science base. The policy mix was adequate to address the objectives, without major overlaps or duplication. Overall, Horizon 2020 demonstrated flexibility in reacting to emerging needs, and in particular, to the COVID-19 crisis. Improvements made regarding the strategic programming process are acknowledged to support relevance and internal coherence, while the strategic approach to the prioritisation of topics needs strengthening. The strategic use of foresight and policy feedback (i.e. interactions of funded research projects with policy) were not yet systematically institutionalised at the end of Horizon 2020, despite having significant potential to inject some longerterm thinking into the Commission's efforts to orientate the framework programme.