Brussels lobby groups warn that draft budget reshuffle would drain Horizon Europe pay-ins from programmes associated states use most
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The European Commission’s draft plan to use associated country contributions to Horizon Europe to fund policy priorities rather than researcher-led programmes is unacceptable, according to the Brussels research community.
Last week, Science|Business reported that the Commission was considering a plan to reshuffle Horizon Europe funding for 2026-27, using the money non-EU countries pay to participate in the programme to finance policy priorities and plug a biodiversity funding gap.
The news did not land well with the research community, especially those championing Horizon Europe’s researcher training and mobility programme, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Leaked Commission memos suggested the diverted money would otherwise have gone to meet the increased competition for MSCA funds as more countries join Horizon Europe.
Mostafa Moonir Shawrav, executive…
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