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 under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) opened a new call for doctoral and postdoctoral programmes with a budget of €105.5 million, another for Staff Exchanges with €97.9 million in funding to promote knowledge transfer.
The deadline for submitting proposals for the former is April 8 and the latter April 16.
The European Commission has announced €8.85 million in funding for the development of a new diagnostic device that would help doctors identify types of bacteria faster and assess which antibiotics are more effective.
“Antimicrobial resistance is already costing lives and placing real strain on Europe’s health systems,” said Hadja Lahbib, the commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management. “Too often, doctors must prescribe antibiotics without having fast and accurate diagnostic answers. Investing in rapid diagnostics gives them the means to treat with precision instead of precaution.”
The device will be developed by ShanX MedTech, Aidian Oy, Biosurfit, Unitron and Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal in Spain.x
According to the Commission, antimicrobial resistance costs healthcare systems in Europe an estimated €11 billion every year.
More details here.
Singapore has launched the Horizon Europe Complementary Fund, which aims to provide financial support and stimulate the participation of Singapore-based researchers in Horizon Europe.
“Through a complementary funding mechanism, Singapore will provide financial support to its eligible legal entities participating in collaborative research under Pillar II of Horizon Europe, in priority areas for Singapore,” the European Commission said in a statement.
This initiative, which is part of a pledge from the Singaporean government to invest more than €31 billion over five years under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 plan.
More details here.
EIT Culture & Creativity, a community hub the European Institution of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and French public investment bank Bpifrance, have reached an agreement to speed up European investment and innovation in creative industries.
“By establishing this collaboration with Bpifrance, we are creating a coordinated European investment vehicle that strengthens national ecosystems while enabling innovative creative ventures to expand confidently across borders,” said Anette Schaefer, CEO of EIT Culture & Creativity.
Under this agreement, the two partners will explore joint funding, investment syndication and deal flow opportunities, especially in the architecture, audiovisual media, cultural heritage, fashion and gaming sectors.
More details here.
Maria Leptin, the president of the European Research Council (ERC), has been awarded the 2025 Madame de Staël Prize by ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to developmental biology and leadership in European research.
“The values celebrated by this award, such as scientific curiosity, European intellectual engagement, and academic freedom – embodied by Madame de Staël – are ones I deeply share, as does the European Research Council,” said Leptin about her nomination.
More details here.
The European Commission has announced a second “Choose Europe for Science” call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) with a budget of €51.25 million, as part of efforts to reinforce attractiveness of European research careers.
MSCA will also support cutting-edge research with €1.25 billion next year.
More details here.
In 2025, 20% of EU companies with at least 10 employees used artificial intelligence technologies, up 13.5% from 2024, according to EU statistics office Eurostat.
This increase was led by Denmark, whose share reaches 42%, Finland with 37.8%, and Sweden with 35%. On the other end of the range stood Romania at 5.2%, Poland at 8.4%, and Bulgaria at 8.5%.
More details here.
The European Commission has adopted proposals aimed to revise the legal base of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, which provides grants to research and innovation projects in the areas of coal and steel, as part of efforts to support the decarbonisation of the two sectors.
The goal of the reform is to streamline and speed up investments in steel research.
“The Fund will become more attractive and impactful for coal and steel sectors to drive a fair, clean and competitive transition,” the Commission said. “This will help businesses, researchers and citizens, especially from steel-producing and coal mining regions, to benefit from this transition and secure future jobs.”
More details here.
MEPs are calling for a new harmonised corporate form, the Unified European Company, to be registered digitally within 48 hours with a seat in one of the 27 member states. The form should have a minimum required paid-in capital of one euro and be subject to accelerated and specialised dispute resolution mechanisms.
MEPs recommend “a separate corporate structure recognised across EU countries and based on fully harmonised rules” as the European Commission is scheduled to propose the 28th regime, a new EU-wide framework set to support innovative companies.
“The 28th corporate regime is an essential piece of the puzzle for completing our internal market,” said MEP René Repasi of the S&D group. “If we want Europe to compete globally, we must ensure that great ideas are not only born here but have the space to grow, attract investment, and scale in the EU, without becoming a vehicle for circumventing the social fabric of our member states.”
More details here.
The European Commission has launched a prize of €1 million for the innovative governance of energy at the local and regional level.
“By rewarding the most innovative energy communities in Europe, this new prize aims to place European citizens at the heart of the energy transition,” said EU research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva.
Applications will be open from January 20 to June 25.
More details here.
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