Absorptive Capacity of European Funds in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, and Portugal: A Comparison of Participation in the Horizon Europe Programme

The article compares the participation of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Portugal in Horizon Europe (HE), the EU’s main funding program for research and innovation. While the Czech Republic and Slovakia share a common historical and institutional background, Portugal serves as a comparable yet distinct reference case. Based on 2021–2024 data, the article assesses funding uptake, engagement capacity, and territorial imbalances. It highlights low absorption rates and failure to meet the 3% GDP target for R&D. Reflecting on warnings from the Draghi report about structural weaknesses in the EU’s innovation framework, it proposes reforms to enhance efficiency and support place-based excellence.