UCC ranked among Europe’s top 20 universities for Horizon Europe innovation projects

6 Jan 2026

UCC (University College Cork) has ranked as the 18^th university in Europe for Horizon Europe (2021-2027) innovation activities, highlighting UCC’s strength in translating research excellence into real-world impact through innovation.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation, tackling climate change, helping to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and boosting the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

Unlike traditional large-scale research projects, Horizon Europe Innovation Actions focus on bringing market-ready innovations to life. These projects emphasise prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale validation, and market replication of new products and services. Since the programme’s launch in 2021, European universities have participated in 968 innovation projects, with UCC contributing to 24 projects across diverse areas including health, sustainability, and social innovation. To date, UCC researchers have secured over €13.3 million in Horizon Europe funding for innovation activities.

In addition to its top 20 position for innovation projects, UCC is ranked 34th among European universities for all Horizon Europe grant types, reflecting its broad research and innovation strengths.

Professor John F. Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC said: "Huge congratulations to the UCC research and innovation community on securing a top-20 Horizon Europe ranking and more than €13.3 million in Horizon Europe innovation funding to date. This outstanding achievement reflects the creativity, ambition, and impact of our world-class research community. We are proud to continue building a vibrant entrepreneurial campus that transforms research excellence into products and services with real societal benefit, while further strengthening UCC’s research mission.”

Dr. Sally Cudmore, Director of UCC Innovation said: “We are proud to have placed 18^th in Europe for Horizon Europe innovation activities. This achievement reflects the depth of collaboration and applied research at UCC and demonstrates our capacity to deliver impactful innovation while supporting our long-term research ambitions. Well done to all involved.”

UCC’s success in Horizon Europe innovation activity supports the University’s Strategic Plan Securing Our Future: 2023-2028, underlining the University’s commitment to research that delivers real impact and meaningful contributions to a sustainable and inclusive society.