Horizon Europe: MEPs back plans to strengthen the EU’s scientific base 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

• Bigger Horizon Europe Programme to ensure Europe’s research and innovation
• Expert-led governance
• Fast-track research and innovation

Research MEPs seek to boost EU scientific excellence, empower expert advice, and improve links between research and competitiveness.

On Tuesday, Industry, Research and Energy Committee MEPs voted on the Parliament’s position on the 2028-2034 Horizon Europe programme that aims to strengthen the EU’s scientific base and sustain Europe’s long-term competitiveness, technological innovation, and ability to address major societal challenges. MEPs want to restructure the link between the programme and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), to ensure an effective pathway for the practical application of research.

Bigger budget, greater transparency and traceability

MEPs want to increase the programme’s overall budget from the Commission’s €175 billion to €200 billion in current prices (€177 billion in 2025 prices) and they support maintaining its existing format – and funding – around four policy areas: science excellence; competitiveness and society; Innovation; and the European Research Area. MEPs are proposing in their text strong budget guarantees for the European Research Council (ERC), which funds frontier research, and the European Innovation Council (EIC), which funds innovation in a lab-to-market approach. They also warn against any erosion of the independence of the ERC and the EIC. MEPs want to reinforce budget transparency and traceability by giving each pillar dedicated budget lines, and by capping transfers within pillars by the Commission at 10% of the relevant appropriations.

Towards an expert-led model

Committee MEPs propose the creation of a high-level council for collaborative research and innovation, composed of at least 30 independent high-level experts from science, industry and civil society. This council, as proposed by MEPs, would provide strategic advice on thematic priorities, European partnerships topics, resource allocation, and would help draft calls for proposals – the mechanism by which the Programme allows funding.

MEPs propose establishing “broad lines of activities”, aiming to bring a sharper focus along which the Programme should be implemented. They propose accelerating the development of research and innovation projects by creating so-called “fast track to excellence” and “fast track to innovation” schemes, as well as a European support for researchers at risk programme, and similar initiatives for the social sciences, humanities and the arts.

Quotes

“There is only one EU programme for which the Draghi report recommended a specific budget: Horizon Europe’s €200 billion. It is essential for Europe’s competitiveness but it needs to reform to be able to deliver its objectives better. As Mario Draghi recommended, the ERC must retain its autonomy, and the EIC needs to become more autonomous and agile. The Commission ignored these recommendations, and member states have not reacted. Parliament is the only institution truly putting science and research at the heart of the European economy”, rapporteur for the regulation Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany) said.

“The people who spend their days in laboratories and universities, pushing the boundaries of what we know, are best placed to judge which research questions hold the greatest long-term potential. Decisions should be based on scientific excellence, exploring as-yet-unexplored avenues, rather than contemporary political priorities or the industrial interest of tomorrow. This is why we are strengthening the scientific autonomy of the European Research Council and proposing a pilot project that gives researchers a greater say in setting their own research priorities” said rapporteur for the Council Decision, René Repasi (S&D, Germany)

Next steps

The EP’s position on the regulation was adopted by 67 votes to 1, with 18 abstentions, and the position on the decision by 66 votes to 1, with 19 abstentions. MEPs also voted to open negotiations on the regulation by 65 votes for and 18 against, and 2 abstentions. The committee position and the mandate for negotiations are expected to be approved at one of forthcoming plenary sessions. MEPs can start interinstitutional negotiations once member states have adopted their full mandate, including the overall funding levels for the EU’s long-term budget.

Background

The legislation is part of the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget (MFF) package. Parliament wants the budget to remain a strong investment tool that supports citizens, regions and businesses, while delivering clear added value beyond national budgets. MEPs propose increasing the size of the draft budget to meet new challenges and they insist on the importance of new revenue sources to fund an ambitious and sustainable budget. Find out more information.