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 Communities of Practice of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) has launched a call for a new Twinning Programme for to pair cities and regions with peers to strengthen circular economy initiatives.
The call, which is open to local and regional authorities across the EU and associated countries to Horizon Europe Associated Countries, will close on June 27.
More details here.
University groups CESAER and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities are calling on the European Commission and member states to ensure that call deadlines under the Framework Programmes are “widely spread and predictable” in efforts to strengthen collaboration with research managers.
“With only one call deadline for most proposals, we run the real risk of privileging institutions with large research support offices that may be able to adjust, at the expense of smaller institutions,” Jan Palmowski, secretary general of The Guild, said in a statement.
Read the full statement here.
The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has launched a new call to support the creation of Centres of Excellence and advanced software tools for supercomputers, known as Lighthouse Codes.
The call, which is funded under Horizon Europe, is open for submission until 20 January 2026.
Read the full statement here.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has launched its pre-accelerator call with a view to helping SMEs and start-ups to apply for funding, attract private investments or access other support mechanisms.
The call, which is a joint initiative between the EIC and the Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) programme, “is designed to unlock the innovation potential of early-stage deep tech companies from the widening countries,” the EIC writes in a statement.
Successful applicant companies can obtain up to €500 000 each, in addition to tailored support and guidance.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 18 November 2025.
Read the full statement here.
The European Commission has announced a total equity investment of €90 million as part of the EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) scale up call.
The selected companies are:
Multiverse Computing (quantum/AI), Spain
Hyimpulse Technologies (satellite launch services), Germany
Dronamics (drones for cargo delivery), Bulgaria & Ireland
Classiq Technologies (quantum software), Israel
The STEP scheme aims to address the market gap in financing initial investment rounds, which are critical for scaling breakthrough innovations in Europe.
The companies will now go forward to the EIC Fund for investment decisions.
More details here.
The multi-billion R&D budget announced by the UK government this week is a “welcome vote of confidence in the UK’s R&D sector, and the role it plays in driving economic growth,” said Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group of universities.
The money will go towards research and development in the UK's fastest growing sectors such as tech, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
“We will continue using our research, innovation and skills as engines for growth, ensuring this new investment pays dividends for the national economy and for local communities for decades to come,” Bradshaw said.
Read the full statement here.
The National Digital Exchange (NDX) is a new digital hub being built to help improve the UK public sector’s procurement of technology.
Currently in early development, the hub is set to modernise how the public sector invests £26 billion a year on technology. It hopes to save up to £1.2 billion annually through enabling hospitals, schools and government departments to rate suppliers and make faster decisions on which tech to buy.
In a major shift, the platform aims to use an AI powered engine to match teams with suppliers based on what they actually need, significantly reducing processing times. Additionally, this should all contribute to opening the market to more UK tech firms, with a target of a 40% increase in small business involvement in government contracts.
Through including “real reviews, upfront pricing and smart AI to match buyers with the right suppliers in hours”, NDX will contribute towards “cutting waste, boosting innovation and backing British tech”, says Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government.
Full the full statement here.
The Commission received 734 responses from 43 countries, as well as 166 responses to their call for evidence on the future European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science. An additional questionnaire targeting the scientific community was answered by 568 respondents.
The strategy aims to make science in the EU more impactful, through the effective adoption of AI. Contributions to the consultation covered seven main areas including:
Access to infrastructure
Access to talent
The European Data ecosystem
Interdisciplinary partnerships
Improving AI skills
Coordination between member states
Enhancing international cooperation.
Feedback from the consultations is under analysis and will contribute towards defining the priorities of the strategy.
“Our goal is to make sure AI supports scientists and inspires innovators”, says Ekaterina Zaharieva, commissioner for startups, research and innovation.
More details here.
The UK government has announced a £86 billion package to fund scientific and technology fields ranging from new drug treatments to longer-lasting batteries.
The investment, which is part of the wider Plan for Change, is expected to reach £22.5 billion each year by 2029-30 and includes up to £500 million to create regional innovation clusters across the UK.
The announcement comes ahead of the government’s Spending Review designed to stimulate the UK’s fastest-growing sectors, from life science to advance manufacturing to defence.
Read the full statement here.
Horizon Europe is in for a small boost next year if the European Commission’s proposal to set its budget at €12.97 billion is approved.
The proposed budget is €211 million bigger than this year’s. But the increase is all but certain as the budget will have to be approved by the EU Council of member states and the European Parliament. Most years, this process sees the member states make small cuts to Commission’s proposal.
A part of this proposed increase will be funded by redeploying €147,7 million of unused Horizon funds. Around half of this money, €73,3 million, will finance the European Research Council’s Advanced Grants call that next year will target researchers from abroad under the Choose Europe initiative.
The rest of the money will allow for small top-ups in other parts of the European Research Council and Horizon’s Pillar II for collaborative research.
Other draft EU programme budgets include:
€1.00 billion for the European Defence Fund
€1 billion for Digital Europe
€299 million for InvestEU
€2.33 billion for the space programme
€4.3 billion for the Erasmus+ education and mobility programme.
More details here.
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