Horizon 2020 is the EU's largest research and innovation funding program, operating from 2014 to 2020, aimed at boosting competitiveness and addressing societal challenges. It integrates three prior programs into a single framework, emphasizing innovation from research to market, and supports a wide range of areas including health, clean energy, and food security, with a significant budget allocation toward SMEs. The program features various funding schemes designed to facilitate collaboration among researchers and industries across Europe and beyond.