- Commission seeks scientists to join ERC identification committee
- EuroHPC JU opens new call for proposals
- Parliament, Council secure funding increase for Horizon Europe, Erasmus+
- University alliances can invest in research but not at expense of education, the Guild says
- Association to next Horizon Europe must be independent from Competitiveness Fund, Science Europe says
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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The European Commission has opened a call for nominations for the European Research Council (ERC) Identification Committee, a group of reputable scientists tasked to scout for new members of the ERC’s Scientific Council.
The Scientific Council is the ERC’s governing body in charge of setting the strategy of the EU’s basic science funder. The deadline for submitting nominations is November 30.
More details here.
The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has opened a call for European start-ups working on integrated hardware-software quantum computing solutions.
The call will be divided into two phases. With an indicative budget of €4 million, Phase 1 will fund quantum start-ups over four months through Horizon Europe, while Phase 2 will invite the most promising projects to submit proposals to the European Investment Bank.
“Priority will be given to start-ups integrating their quantum solutions into European supercomputing centres, ensuring interoperability within the European Union’s HPC infrastructure,” EuroHPC says.
The call for Phase 1 is set to close on January 8.
More details here.
The European Parliament and EU governments have reached a provisional agreement that will increase the 2026 budget for Horizon Europe by €20 million and for Erasmus+ by €3 million.
In total, an additional €372.7 million in funding was secured under this deal, part of which will also go to the EU’s environment and climate action instrument and the EU4Health programme. Meanwhile, military mobility and border management will both get an extra €10 million.
More details here.
Funding for European University Alliances must remain focused on education and pedagogical innovation, according to the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
“Where alliances wish to invest in research or societal engagement, they should be free to do so, but not at the expense of education,” the lobby group said in a statement.
The Guild also advises the EU to continue to encourage mobility and collaboration, facilitate alignment at the EU level on administrative procedures, and support and reward participation.
More details here.
Association to the next iteration of Horizon Europe should retain its independence regardless of plans to be connected to the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), according to Science Europe.
“Participation rules in areas linked to ECF ‘policy windows’ must be transparent to avoid excluding excellent research partners from outside the EU,” the lobby group said in a statement.
More details here.
Skeleton Technologies, a company supported by InnoEnergy, one of the communities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), has opened a new factory in Varkaus, Finland, to supply high-power storage solutions for artificial intelligence data centres.
“With a total of €50 million invested in the facility, it becomes Europe’s first production site dedicated to high-power batteries for AI infrastructure and the world’s first to industrialise backup power systems for mission-critical computing and emerging technologies such as nuclear fusion,” said Taavi Madiberk, CEO and cofounder of Skeleton Technologies.
The facility is expected to provide one gigawatt of high-power battery capacity annually.
More details here.
The European Commission has launched a survey to gather input on the forthcoming Charter of access to research and technology infrastructures, which aims to facilitate access for companies, small and big.
“The Charter will help simplify access and contractual conditions of such infrastructures, ranging from advanced laboratories to large scientific instruments, pilot lines, testbeds, and more,” the Commission says. “As a result, companies will be able to test and validate their innovative solutions under the best conditions and bring them to the market more quickly.”
The survey will be open until December 10, and the Charter is expected to be presented next year.
More details here.
The European Commission has opened the Erasmus+ 2026 call for proposals worth around €5.2 billion to support opportunities in education, training, youth and sport across Europe and beyond.
Under this call, some 1,275,000 participants are expected to benefit from learning mobility experiences and over 100,000 organisations involved in Erasmus+ projects receive support.
More details here.
Between 2025 and 2027, the European Commission will discuss with EU ministers how to improve water management and address water efficiency across Europe, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) on water.
“A healthy ocean and resilient freshwater systems are two sides of the same coin,” fisheries and oceans Commissioner Costas Kadis said. “EIT Water will help us bridge the gap between blue and green innovation by empowering local communities, businesses, and researchers.”
More details here.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has selected the Allwaters consortium to lead its new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), EIT Water.
The KIC will focus on water scarcity, drought and floods, marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation, and the development of a circular and sustainable blue economy.
“We are proud to welcome EIT Water to the EIT Community, which will be a platform for collaborative innovation, bringing together business, research, and education with strong industry involvement to deliver real solutions for Europe’s water challenges,” said Stefan Dobrev, chair of the EIT governing board.
Allwaters is composed of 50 partners from 24 countries.
More details here.
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