Spanish presidency of the EU Council has held talks on the final three years of Horizon Europe, as policymakers start to set outlines for the successor seven-year research framework programme

In Horizon Europe, China is barred from some calls, but welcomed on others. Despite rising geopolitical tensions, scientific collaboration is still happening – but not without friction

In the latest call, researchers based in Spain won 12 of 66 grants awarded to shape up basic research for commercialisation. This is more evidence of a resurgence of Spanish science, which is now number three in the Horizon Europe funding table

In a sign of increased self-confidence, three projects led from Poland have won EU funding. This is seen as a significant advance for a country whose researchers have preferred to join consortia as partners, not leaders

The hearing will focus on Ivanova’s competences and her plans for tackling teething problems at the European Innovation Council, the future of fundamental research in the EU framework programme and bridging the east-west gap in research capabilities

The EU’s €10B innovation fund has been riddled with problems since launching in 2021. Christian Ehler MEP says it’s too early to say it doesn’t work - but without more independence from the Commission, the EIC won’t fulfil its mission

Christian Ehler worries about reopening the Brexit deal and jeopardising association negotiations with Japan and Canada. His intervention comes as the UK looks set to delay any decision on Horizon association until after the summer

With the research budget already overstretched, any more funding for the Missions cannot be at the expense of other parts of Horizon Europe, critics say

Policymakers will have to decide whether to back partnerships in new sectors, including brain health, forestry, solar photovoltaics and raw materials

Two years in, a leaked document shows the Commission has ruled its novel Mission approach to research funding is working. It wants policymakers to back the launch of a sixth programme on Bauhaus