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As the European Union negotiates the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a critical debate is unfolding concerning the future of research funding. The European Commission has proposed a “Competitiveness Fund” that would consolidate existing funding programmes. However, this proposition has been met with significant resistance from the research community, who fear potential consequences for the continuation of Europe’s premier Research and Innovation initiative, currently implemented as the 9th Framework Programme, entitled Horizon Europe. The fear is that there would not be an autonomous Framework Programme 10 (FP10), which could endanger the setting of research priorities and the overall effectiveness of research and innovation.
At the heart of this debate is the question of how best to support European research and innovation in the coming years. The Commission argues that merging programmes into a single fund would streamline processes and boost efficiency. However, critics worry that this approach would lead to a shift towards policy-driven innovation and technology, potentially at the expense of basic research and investigator-led projects. Concerns have also been raised about the lack of a clear implementation plan and the challenges of achieving impactful research outcomes under an increased emphasis on rapid results.
A prominent voice in this debate is Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Christian Ehler, who has emerged as a leading advocate for maintaining FP10 as a standalone programme. Ehler’s report on Horizon Europe, unanimously adopted by the European Parliament, strongly urges that FP10 remain independent, with a substantially increased budget to meet the 3% GDP spending target on Research and Development and fund at least 75% of excellent research proposals.
This advocacy also led to the Warsaw Declaration, a statement of support for a standalone FP10, backed by EU Research Ministers. The declaration rejects proposals to merge FP10 into a broader European Competitiveness Fund and emphasises the importance of a robust, well-funded FP10 for Europe’s technological leadership and competitiveness. The declaration also highlights the importance of maintaining the independence of key research institutions such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Adding another layer to this complex landscape is the ongoing discussion surrounding the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda for 2025-2027. The European Commission has put forward a proposal that aims to strengthen the European research landscape, focusing on long-term issues like open science, research infrastructures, and research careers. It also addresses current challenges such as artificial intelligence in science and research security. The ERA Policy Agenda includes specific actions and workplans for each proposed structural policy, with the final adoption by the Council scheduled for May 2025, under the Polish Presidency.
As negotiations continue, the future of European research funding hangs in the balance. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the direction and scope of research and innovation across the continent. Whether FP10 remains a standalone programme or is absorbed into a larger fund will ultimately shape the European research landscape for years to come.
For further information:
Competitiveness Fund: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_339; source of the picture: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jan-palmowski-40420aa_competitivenessfund-eic-msca-activity-7304891870331961345-Nj5U/
Christian Ehler’s report: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-10-2025-0021_EN.html, press conference: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/press-conference-by-christian-ehler-epp-de-rapporteur-on-implementation-of-horizon-europe-programme_20250311-1630-SPECIAL-PRESSER
Warsaw Declaration: https://polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/r5fa13v5/warsaw-declaration_final.pdf
ERA Policy Proposal 2025-27: https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-02/COM_2025_62_F1_PROPOSAL_FOR_A_RECOMMENDATION_EN_V5_P1_3951028.PDF