Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union's key research and innovation framework programme (2021-2027), funding the FAVOR autonomous ships study.
Last refreshed: 6 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is EU funding driving the autonomous-ship regulatory rulebook rather than the IMO?
Timeline for Horizon Europe
Provided £1.2m in funding for the FAVOR MASS regulatory architecture project
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: FAVOR funds the rulebook nobody finished- What is Horizon Europe and who can apply?
- Horizon Europe is the EU's 2021-2027 research funding programme with a €95.5bn budget. Universities, research institutes and companies in EU member states and associated countries (including the UK since 2023) can apply.
- Is the UK still part of Horizon Europe after Brexit?
- Yes. The UK re-associated to Horizon Europe in September 2023, restoring the ability of UK institutions to lead and participate in funded projects. LJMU's leadership of FAVOR is an example of this re-association in practice.
- How is Horizon Europe funding autonomous shipping research?
- Horizon Europe provided £1.2m to the FAVOR project, led by Liverpool John Moores University, to design a unified regulatory architecture for autonomous ships. The project launched on 1 June 2026 and covers cybersecurity, human factors and workforce transition.Source: Lowdown
Background
Horizon Europe is the European Union's research and innovation framework programme running from 2021 to 2027, with a total budget of approximately €95.5 billion. It is the world's largest transnational research funding programme, supporting scientific research, technology development and innovation through grants to universities, research institutes and companies across EU member states and associated countries. The UK re-associated to Horizon Europe in September 2023 following a post-Brexit gap, restoring UK institutions' eligibility to lead and participate in funded projects.
Horizon Europe is the funding source for the FAVOR project, providing £1.2m to a Liverpool John Moores University-led consortium to recommend a unified regulatory architecture for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships. The grant reflects the EU's interest in shaping the post-IMO MASS Code regulatory environment before national regimes diverge during the Experience Building Phase.
Horizon Europe's role in FAVOR illustrates a recurring pattern: EU research funding is used to develop the regulatory and standards architecture that complements EU legislative frameworks. For autonomous shipping, the MASS Code provides the global baseline and Horizon Europe-funded projects like FAVOR are expected to translate that baseline into European harmonisation proposals.
