“Horizon 2020” is the winner of a "You Name it" online vote to name the future EU-funding programme for research and innovation. The full name of the legislative proposal for the new programme will therefore be: "Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation".

The competition winners are Marcela Endlova, a teacher from the Czech Republic, and Beata Zyngier, also a teacher, from Poland. The winners receive a trip to the European Innovation Convention, which will take place in Brussels in December 2011 and will have the opportunity to meet Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and other leading political, scientific and business figures.

The new name is an important symbol of a new departure and a new adventure. “Horizon 2020” is the new, integrated funding system that will cover all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). These different types of funding will be brought together in a coherent and flexible manner.

This will be a smarter way to support researchers and innovators in Europe – so as to further boost excellence and to help ensure that good ideas reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs. Research and innovation funding will focus more clearly on addressing global challenges. Needless red tape will be cut out and participation made simpler.