main webpage of Horizon 2020.

Horizon 2020 is open to everyone including individual researchers, higher education institutes, research performing organisations and private industry including SMEs. The most significant new industrial development aspects include a focus on innovation and the introduction of an instrument which allows innovative SMEs to apply for substantial funding (millions of euros) without the need to collaborate with European partners.

Enterprise Ireland leads the Irish Horizon 2020 Network consisting of National Contact Points and National Delegates from various research and industry agencies and Departments. Further information and key contacts are available at www.horizon2020.ie.

Industrial Leadership in Horizon 2020
The Horizon 2020 Industrial Leadership pillar aims to speed up development of the technologies and innovations that will underpin tomorrow's businesses and help innovative European SMEs to grow into world-leading companies.

Its main objectives are:

• Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies: this will provide dedicated support for research, development and demonstration and, where appropriate, for standardisation and certification, on information and communications technology (ICT), nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and processing and space.
• "Access to risk finance": this will aim to overcome deficits in the availability of debt and equity finance for R&D and innovation-driven companies and projects at all stages of development.
• "Innovation in SMEs": this will provide SME-tailored support to stimulate all forms of innovation in SMEs, targeting those with the potential to grow and internationalise across the single market and beyond.