This live blog is tracking the latest developments in European research and innovation programmes, including the broader debate on the future of R&D policy and funding in the next multiannual budget due to start in 2028. Beyond that, we look at other EU policies with significant research and innovation components in climate, digital, agriculture and regional development. In addition, national governments often come up with new R&D policies, decide to fund new research avenues, and set up international cooperation deals. This blog aims to keep you informed on all of that and more.
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You can read the full archive of this blog here.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is looking for experts in critical defence technologies to help assess which companies should receive direct equity investments to scale up innovations in the field.
Areas of expertise include air and missile defence, artillery and precision strikes, missiles and ammunition, drones and counter-drones, strategic enablers, cyber, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare, military mobility, ground and air combat, maritime, and medical and countermeasures.
More details here.
The European Commission has opened seven calls worth €63.2 million under the Digital Europe programme in efforts to support the adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence in health and online safety.
Of the total amount, €9 million will go to AI-powered image screening in medical centres: €24 million will stimulate digital health services and systems; €12.5 million will fund trainings for advanced digital skills; €8.5 million will finance innovative digital solutions to reduce regulatory burdens on companies; €6 million will boost research on online information integrity; €1.8 million will support Digital Europe’s dissemination and exploitation activities; and €1 million will set up a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium support hub.
“These calls contribute to achieving the ambitions of the Commission's AI Continent Action Plan and Apply AI Strategy,” the Commission says.
The call will close on October 1.
More details here.
The 2026 Staff Exchanges call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which supports collaborative research by funding short-term international exchanges of staff members, has received 416 proposals for a total budget of €482.4 million.
The EU is set to fund between 80 and 90 projects for around €97.9 million.
In 2025, only 363 proposals had been submitted.
More details here.
The Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities has chosen Evelyn Welch, the vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, to take over from Chris Day as its chair from August 2026.
“It is a privilege to chair a body whose members support our NHS [National Health Service], our businesses and entrepreneurs, our cities and our regions,” she says. “I look forward to working with Universities UK and the many other organisations who represent the sector.”
More details here.
The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) have launched a partnership to strengthen research on Mpox and Lassa fever.
Set up under the EU’s health partnership with the African Union, the initiative allows seven early- and mid-career researchers from universities in Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana to take part in a pilot mobility programme of multiple short residencies to support Africa in building capacity for translational research and vaccine development for these two diseases.
“By the end of their placements, each fellow is expected to produce insights that outline core preclinical or early stage results, a high level product development roadmap, an overview of the relevant regulatory landscape, and a short snapshot of policy implications for their selected Mpox or Lassa fever candidate,” the Guild says. “These outputs are intended to serve as practical tools that can inform future investments, partnerships with industry and regulators, and evidence-based decision-making by health authorities.”
These residencies are to be completed by the end of May.
More details here.
The European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism has published a report on advanced materials, urging the EU to adopt policy enabling innovation in the field.
The advisers suggest that while the EU has a strong scientific foundation and established regulatory practices, structural challenges hinder the transition from discovery to use.
To tackle the challenges, they advise creating data spaces to accelerate research and commercialisation, designing standards to support safety and sustainability, strengthening ecosystems to accelerate research uptake by the market, and boosting investment.
The report will feed into the Commission's upcoming Advanced Materials Act, which will propose legislation to strengthen Europe's industrial leadership in advanced materials.
Read the report here.
The European Commission has published a new report showcasing how EU member states use regulatory sandboxes to support innovation.
Regulatory sandboxes are environments that allow to test innovative products and services in the real world for a limited amount of time without subjecting companies to the full burden of existing regulations. This helps bridge the gap between rapidly evolving technology and slow-moving legal frameworks. With the EU encouraging their use, the report outlines the state of play and may serve as guidance.
Find the report here.
The European Commission has adopted revised competition rules for technology transfer agreements, in response to the growing importance of data and the increased use of standard-essential technologies to enable interoperability between products.
The updated rules include guidance on data licensing agreements and on licensing negation groups, where technology implementers negotiate jointly the terms of the licences they wish to obtain from technology owners.
“By supporting pro-competitive licensing, we help ensure that technology, including data, can circulate more widely, encourage investment in research and innovation, and reinforce Europe’s competitiveness on a fair and open basis,” said Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition.
The new rules will enter into force on 1 May 2026. Full details of the changes here.
The European Union and the UK have agreed on post-2027 association to the Erasmus+ programme.
“The UK joining Erasmus+ in 2027 is a win-win, opening doors for young people on both sides of the Channel,” says Roxana Mînzatu, executive vice-president for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness. “We are rebuilding opportunities for the next generation to study, work and grow together, giving access to a far bigger pool of possibilities and diversity.”
The UK will also designate a national agency overseeing its future participation in the programme.
More details here.
The European Commission will award €1.07 billion to 57 projects selected under the 2025 call of the European Defence Fund (EDF), as part of efforts to support the objectives of its Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030.
The winning projects cover critical sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to counter-drone systems.
More details here.
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