EU Council Takes Stock of Progress in Horizon Europe Talks
EU governments have made progress in negotiations over the Horizon Europe programme for 2028-34, particularly on the fundamental research pillar.
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Race for the ERA Act Begins As MEP Unveils Early Proposal
The European Parliament has started work on a proposal pre-empting the European Research Area (ERA) Act due to be put forward by the European Commission in 2026. The move is an attempt to set the terms of the debate, calling in particular for a dedicated legislative proposal protecting scientific freedom.
Trio of Reports Say the EU is Betting Too Heavily on Generative AI
Three new reports have criticised the EU's artificial intelligence strategy, including its plan to spend €20 billion on enormous supercomputers known as gigafactories to train and run large language models (LLMs), the form of AI that powers chatbots like ChatGPT.
Ukraine Risks Exclusion from Sensitive Projects in Horizon Europe
The European Commission could ban Ukraine from participating in Horizon Europe projects that are related to AI, quantum, communication and network technologies, and space, according to an internal memo circulated in the first week of November.
The Horizon Papers
Science Business is publishing the European Commission’s sector-by-sector plans for its Horizon Europe programme. These documents spell out the research topics, timing and budgets the European Commission plans.
'Web of Incentives' in Research Funding Limit Academic Freedom
An indirect "creeping reduction of freedom" is taking place in academia, according to Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council (ERC), Europe's main funder of fundamental research. This threat is distinct from government "oppression" of universities and scientists in populist regimes such as the US and Hungary.
Egypt Joins Europe’s Flagship Science Program, Raising Academic Freedom Concerns
Egypt Joins Europe’s Flagship Science Program, Raising Academic Freedom Concerns
Horizon Europe’s push for free inquiry clashes with Egypt’s human rights record, critics say.
Council Signs off on Swiss Re-association to Horizon Europe
The Council of the EU has signed off a deal allowing Switzerland to re-associate to the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, taking a further step towards ending years of limbo for Swiss researchers.
MEPs Put Europe's Innovation Gap on FP10 Agenda
Members of the European Parliament's industry and research committee have defended the need for a Widening programme in Horizon Europe after 2027, but also noted that member states should take more responsibility for lagging national R&D expenditures and make better use of EU structural funds.
Scientists Urged to Demand Independent Governance in Horizon Europe
The chair of an expert group charged with advising the European Commission on the next Framework Programme for research and innovation has called for a campaign of "scientific activism" to implement independent governance models across the programme.
Research Ministers Confident of Role in Horizon Europe Negotiations
EU research ministers do not expect to have a reduced role during negotiations on the future Horizon Europe programme, despite Council plans to assign parts of it to finance ministers via the ad hoc working party on the next multiannual EU budget.
Japan Moving Towards Horizon Europe Association
Japan is edging closer to signing off on a deal to join the EU's €93.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva flying to the country on 2 October to continue talks.
Australia and EU Launch Exploratory Talks for Horizon Europe Association
Australia and EU Launch Exploratory Talks for Horizon Europe Association
Exploratory talks that would lead to Australia associating to Horizon Europe were announced by the European Commission on September 10.
Emerging Council Plans Could Shake Up FP10
Just two months after the European Commission published its proposal for the next multiannual EU budget, which included the tenth Framework Programme for research and innovation (FP10) and a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), details are already changing.
Europe's Independence Hinges on Innovation
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen placed competitiveness, research and innovation at the heart of her annual State of the European Union address, arguing that Europe's "independence will depend on its ability to compete in today's turbulent times." "We have seen how dependencies can be used against us," she said. "This is why we will massively invest in digital and clean tech."
The Road to FP10 is Paved with Missing Details
Brussels research lobbies, together with leading MEP Christian Ehler, are calling for more detail and clarity about the European Commission's €175 billion plan for the tenth Framework Programme (FP10).
Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms
Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms
On the eve of officially signing Switzerland's late association with Horizon Europe, both sides are thinking about how to avoid renewed disruption when a new set of bilateral accords is brought forward next year.
Nobel Laureate Calls for Tighter Focus in EU Research Funding
Europe is undermining its own innovation potential by spreading research funding too thinly, according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Jean Tirole."Only 5% [of the Framework Programme annual budget] goes to disruptive research. That's very little money. It's almost nothing," he said, speaking at the annual gathering of Nobel laureates and young scientists in Lindau, Germany, on August 26.
Experts Defend ERC from Commission Overreach in FP10
The European Commission's push to exert more control over the European Research Council (ERC) risks undermining one of the EU's most successful scientific institutions, policy experts warn.
European Commission Wants to Suspend Israel from Parts of Horizon Europe
The European Commission has suggested blocking Israel from a grant targeting start-ups, as EU outrage grows at Israel's food blockade of Gaza, which has begun to cause widespread starvation in the besieged territory.
Has the European Commission Listened to Its Advisors on FP10?
Last week, the European Commission unveiled plans for the next €175 billion iteration of Horizon Europe, set to run from 2028 until 2034. Researchers' organisations across Europe are now combing the fine print to see whether it meets expectations.
Horizon Europe's Retention is Good News - but the Fight Isn't over Yet
Horizon Europe's Retention is Good News - but the Fight Isn't over Yet
A significant budget boost, including for the ERC, MSCA and EIC, must not be undermined by the next two years of wrangling.
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