EU governments are considering introducing long-term funding for networks of laboratories on topics of strategic importance
Andrzej Szeptycki, undersecretary of state at the Polish ministry for science and higher education (left), with French research minister Philippe Baptiste (right). Photo credits: European Union
EU governments are considering a proposal from France and Poland that would provide long-term funding in the next Horizon Europe programme for laboratories that is not tied to specific projects, in an effort to boost bottom-up collaborative research.
The idea is to provide “significant financing and for the long term” to “pan-European networks of laboratories on themes that are in line with our strategic priorities,” French research minister Philippe Baptiste said during the Competitiveness Council meeting on May 29.
These “European excellence initiatives” could be included in the 2028-34 Horizon Europe programme under Pillar 2, which is dedicated to collaborative research and innovation.
Pillar 2 is expected to be closely linked to the future European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), but the details of those links are still to be decided. Some fear this could lead to…
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