HORIZON BLOG: European R&D policy newsbytes

The European Commission should maintain funding for collaborative research and innovation projects as the centrepiece of FP10, according to the League of European Research Universities (LERU). 

“In an era of geopolitical tensions, the European Commission needs to continue stimulating international R&I collaboration,” Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of LERU, said in a statement. “Precompetitive, collaborative R&I funding is the best tool for ensuring these important international linkages in FP10.” 

LERU says FP10 should have open and strategic calls that are less prescriptive than in Horizon Europe, in order to meet industry-driven and societal needs. LERU also says the Commission should appoint portfolio managers for each priority area. 

Read the full statement here.

Ireland and other EU member states should “actively engage” in shaping the ongoing negotiations on the future of EU research funding, according to Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council (ERC).  

“I strongly urge you to support ambitious proposals for increased investment in research and innovation at European level,” Leptin told delegates at the ERC Impact Forum in Dublin. Ireland will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, when budget negotiations for the EU’s next multiannual budget will intensify.  

“The future prosperity of Ireland – and indeed, Europe's competitiveness – depends significantly on national governments investing confidently in their own research base,” said Leptin.  

Read the full speech here. 

On Wednesday, MEPs approved the Parliament’s guidelines for the 2026 EU budget with 441 votes in favour. The guidelines call for “increased funding to be provided under Horizon Europe to fund at least 50 % of all excellent proposals.”

The Parliament says the EU should continue to support researchers and companies, particularly SMEs, in bringing new innovations to market and scaling up, while also preventing brain drain from Europe.

“We have delivered a strong position, showing the Commission and the Council that Parliament is a serious player, fully prepared to defend the priorities of our citizens," the European Parliament's rapporteur for the 2026 EU budget, Andrzej Halicki, said. 

The Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2026 budget in June 2025.

More here.

The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities called on European and national policymakers to collaborate with universities to meet the EU's climate goals. 

“At a time when policymakers prioritise Europe’s security and its preparedness for future shocks, it is essential that policymakers recognise the holistic support Europe’s universities can provide to support these endeavours, and align them with the urgent need to address the climate and nature crises,” the organisation wrote in a report. 

The Guild said that universities, policymakers and funders should strengthen basic and applied research relevant to a just and sustainable transition and reinforce evidence-based knowledge of sustainability and practical skills for students. 

Read the full report here. 

The university association CESAER says the European Innovation Council (EIC) should facilitate cooperation between technology developers and “problem owners”. 

“Bringing in problem owners early—whether from industry, government, or civil society—helps ensure we’re solving the right problems with the right mix of expertise,” said Tim Bedford, Vice-President of CESAER. 

More info here.

The European Regions Research & Innovation Network (ERRIN) says the next Framework Programme (FP10) should be more flexible and improve coordination and synergies across partnerships. 

“European Partnerships are crucial for fostering research and innovation collaboration across Europe, but their governance structures often marginalise regional and local actors,” ERRIN said in a statement. 

 “Practices such as imposing mandatory entry fees for participants or retaining a percentage of grants to support common services create a negative perception of the instrument as a whole.” 

Read the statement here. 

The European Commission has annonced the projects that will receive a total of €116 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder call, which provides high-risk funding on early-stage technology development. 

This EIC Pathfinder call mainly funds participants from higher education institutes (38%) followed by private organisations (34%) and research organisations (23%). 

More info here.

Preliminary results of a public consultation organised by the European Commission shows European start-ups want better access to finance, markets and talent, fewer regulatory burdens, as well as improved access to research facilities, innovation hubs, and accelerators. 

The final results of the consultation will feed into EU’s upcoming strategy for start-ups and scale-ups, to be presented in May.  

"The insights gathered from this consultation will inform our efforts to create a more supportive environment for startups and scaleups, driving innovation and competitiveness across the EU,” said Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU commissioner for start-ups, research and innovation. 

 More here. 

The European Commission has invited stakeholders, experts and the public to provide feedback on the strategy for European life sciences. 

The strategy aims to speed up innovations in the life sciences by removing key barriers and providing new opportunities to speed up knowledge deployment.   

Stakeholders can submit their views here until 17 April.  

Researchers can apply for a new round of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges. 

The European Commission will support around 85 projects with a total of €97.7 million. Applications are open until October 2025. 

Read more here.