This is the first in a series of Horizon 2020 Monitoring flashes. These quick reports on strategic topics will be included in the formal annual Horizon 2020 Monitoring report, and provide insights and analysis of the Horizon 2020 implementation. They will serve as a timely and targeted evidence base for ongoing policy discussions, including in preparing the ground for Horizon Europe. Monitoring flashes complement and contextualise the constantly updated monitoring data that is available through the Horizon 2020 Dashboard.