Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) is one of the Research & Innovation themes identified for funding by the European Commission. It encompasses a wide range of research fields, including history, architecture, sociology, psychology and political sciences, among other areas.
SSH and Europe 2020
The key societal challenges facing the European Union are identified within the “Europe 2020” Strategy. A quick glance at the list shows clearly that SSH can provide an evidence base for policies to address the Europe 2020 priorities and its flagship initiatives related to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
SSH and Horizon 2020
The EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 reflects the policy priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy. Under the pillar “Societal Challenges”, funding will be channelled into finding solutions for challenges such as:
- health, demographic change and wellbeing;
- food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bioeconomy; secure, clean and efficient energy;
- smart, green and integrated transport;
- climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials;
- inclusive, innovative and secure societies.
The Vilnius Declaration – Horizons for SSH
The conference “Horizons for Social Sciences and Humanities” took place from 23 to 24 September 2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event highlighted the fact that integrating SSH into Horizon 2020 offers a unique opportunity to broaden understanding of innovation, realigning science with ongoing changes in the ways in which society operates. The ensuing Vilnius Declaration establishes the basis for the integration of the SSH into Horizon 2020.
Join the Network of National Contact Point for Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities!
An international network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Socio-Sciences and Humanities (SSH) was established under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme. Known as NET4SOCIETY, it aims at increasing SSH visibility, facilitating knowledge exchanges and improving support to researchers. Under Horizon 2020, the network mainly comprises National Contact Points dealing with Societal Challenge 6: "Europe in a changing world: inclusive, innovative and reflective societies".