The road to FP10: How will the EIC's ARPA-style pilot work in practice?

As the European Union works to strengthen its competitiveness and economic security, research and innovation (R&I) policy and instruments are set to play an increasingly strategic role. Following the July publication of the Commission’s vision for the next Framework Programme, intensive debates have already begun among stakeholders – not just regarding the big picture for FP10, but also how future ambitions will shape the remaining years of Horizon Europe as a bridge into the 2028-2034 programming period.

In that context, a major highlight of the Commission’s proposal is the significant expansion of the European Innovation Council (EIC), with its budget proposed to triple to €34.5 billion by 2028. Among the early-defined changes on the horizon is the launch of an ARPA-style approach: high-risk deep tech challenges that will be piloted in the EIC’s 2026 work programme with an initial €29 million budget. This two-stage process will test feasibility studies before moving into prototyping and real-world application, marking a new phase in European innovation policy.

Nonetheless, despite these ambitious plans, many key details remain unresolved: the scope of the challenges, the allocation of funding across other EIC instruments, and the expanded role of programme managers in shaping portfolios of high-potential projects. With up to six new programme managers expected to be recruited by 2026, their influence in defining and guiding Europe’s innovation priorities is set to grow considerably.

On September 24, Science|Business will bring together members of its international Network for an exclusive discussion with Michiel Scheffer, President of the EIC Board, to explore these critical developments. The event will provide a unique opportunity to examine the future of European research and innovation programming, assess the implications of the EIC’s evolving role, and debate how these changes could shape Europe’s long-term competitiveness.