CNRS: Pillar 1 of Horizon Europe program needs additional funds

Like all its European partners, the CNRS is convinced that the competitiveness and then the future of Europe requires a balance between the three pillars of the future Horizon Europe program.

Thanks to the European Parliament, since the trilogue of November 10th, €4 billion are being added to the Horizon Europe budget.

In line with the European Parliament's commitments to basic research and is well aware of its crucial role for Europe, the G6 Declaration (the Italian CNR, the French CNRS, the Spanish CSIC, the Helmholtz Gemeinschaft, the Leibniz Gemeinschaft and the Max-Planck Gesellschaft) “Let's have the courage to give it the means it really needs”  (Novembre 25th ) and the statement of the ERC scientific Council (December 7th), the CNRS strongly recommends that the majority of these €4 billion be allocated to pillar 1.

Not taking the decision to strengthen the basic research budget would endanger the scientific flagship that has become the ERC and make us take the risk of no longer retaining or attracting the best researchers.  Since fundamental research of the highest international level is the only crucible for real breakthrough innovations, this would also call into question Europe's capacity to develop a sovereign economy, creating jobs and values.