Winners and losers: what’s at stake for research in the next EU budget proposal?

08 Jul 2025 | News

Increased funding for some Horizon Europe research schemes and a potential end to others. Here’s what the rumours say

Photo credits: jamdesign / BigStock

The much-anticipated proposal for the next long-term EU budget promises a complete revamp of EU research funding. Some in the research community fear the changes; others are ready to embrace them. Here’s what’s at stake when the European Commission presents its proposal on July 16. 

FP10 independence, or how ringfenced is ringfenced? 

The main novelty in the next EU research programme, FP10, will be its link with the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). The mega-fund is set to combine various EU programmes that aim to boost Europe’s economy, likely including FP10, or at least parts of it. This prospect has many in the research world worried about the independence of EU research funding. 

In May, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen