Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) of Horizon 2020 Programme is under Scientific Excellence pillar.

The field supports high-risk, long-term, multidisciplinary and multi-partner research activities. Therefore,the aim is to develop new ideas that can create radical technological changes in the field. FET focuses on research beyond what is known and provide the ecosystem necessary for the discovery of new science branches, in particular by supporting interdisciplinary research.

FET can be considered as complimentary to European Research Council (ERC). However, in the field of ERC, researchers are supported individually, FET calls support collaborative work.

In the area FET, it is also expected that discoveries of new technological areas will enable the convergence of science and engineering, and thus have a transformative effect to society. In this sense, FET aims to discover new and breakthrough technologies with high-risk research from science and engineering.FET aims to go beyond what is known.

FET incorporates two different approaches through independent (open part) and subject-led (proactive part) calls and seeks innovative solutions to the future needs of industry and society. In this context, FET has three main subprograms:

• FET Open. Independent scientific and technological research is supported in order to discover new and risky technologies. Discovery of promising fields and the ability to sustain them are the main goals.
• FET Proactive. Subject-oriented research is supported in developing disciplines.
• FET Flagships. Within the context of FET Flagship Initiatives, large-scale and interdisciplinary scientific research is supported to solve global problems. In flagship projects, international consortiums are supported for leadership and excellence in science, and projects are aimed at complementing national programs and existing EU programs. Thus, Flagship projects will increase the transformative effect of science and technology on society and economy.