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.
Finland should improve support schemes for SMEs support, to keep promising companies within the national ecosystem, according to a report from the European Commission’s Policy Support Facility.
The report also notes that Finland should strengthen incentives for universities to work with businesses and increase the role of sectoral ministries in supporting R&I policies.
The proposed reforms would help Finland achieve its plan to boost national R&D expenditure to 4% of GDP by 2030.
Read the full review here.
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced that €721 million in funding would go to the 281 researchers across Europe who won its latest Advanced Grant competition.
The grantees, who are based in 23 EU member states and associated countries, will cover scientific fields ranging from developing a preventive vaccine for hereditary breast cancer to exploring the hidden oceans on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
“In the next competition rounds, scientists moving to Europe will receive even greater support in setting up their labs and research teams here,” research commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva said in a statement.
However, Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, pointed out that once again many applicants “remained unfunded” due to a limited budget. Leptin has previously decried budget limitations at the ERC, which receives more excellent applications than it has the money to fund.
The deadline for the next round for the ERC Advanced Grants is August 28.
Read the full statement here.
The two joint degree programmes MERGED and M3EP, organised by the 4EU+ university alliance, have received more applications than expected.
MERGED, or master’s in global environment and development, received 814 eligible applications out of 1,155 in total from citizens in 93 different countries. M3EP, known as master’s in European environmental economics and policy, received 472 eligible applications for its first-ever intake.
“The huge number of applications [. . .] reflects young people’s willingness to engage with positive change and to push the green agenda forward,” Carsten Smith-Hall, MERGED coordinator and head of studies at the University of Copenhagen, said in a statement.
Read the full statement 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.
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