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Europe's Independence Hinges on Innovation

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

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

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. 

Political Extremism Creates 'Climate of Anxiety' for Scientists

Political Extremism Creates 'Climate of Anxiety' for Scientists

The rise of populism and anti-science rhetoric in some regions of Europe is demoralising researchers and innovators, and creating a "climate of anxiety" that makes scientific discovery more difficult, according to a study published this month.

Belgian Universities Renew Call to Suspend Israel from Horizon Europe

Belgian Universities Renew Call to Suspend Israel from Horizon Europe

Belgian university rectors have repeated their call to suspend Israel from the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. In its war in Gaza, Israel has failed to honour its association agreement with the EU, the rectors argue, which states that both parties must respect human rights. 

AI in Science: Is It Useful?

AI in Science: Is It Useful?

Artificial intelligence might be useful to scientists in some circumstances, but it's unlikely to revolutionise the job, according to presentations at a conference held last month that discussed the technology's impact on research. 

Science|Business Summer Reads of 2025

Science|Business Summer Reads of 2025

The EU science policy world is still digesting last month's proposals for the next €175 billion Framework Programme, plans that have set in motion years of haggling over budgets, regulation clauses and committee makeups. But as Brussels empties for August, and the research bubble decamps to the Riviera, Alps or somewhere further afield, it's a good time to take a step back and ask: what is all this policymaking and funding for? What kind of scientific and technological future do we want? 

The Six Months That Shaped the Future of Horizon Europe

The Six Months That Shaped the Future of Horizon Europe

The first half of 2025 saw Brussels consumed by a debate over the future of the EU's research and innovation programme, which ended with a legislative proposal that quenched long-running rumours of Horizon Europe's demise.

EU Records 59.5% Rise in R&D Allocations over Ten Years, Study Shows

EU Records 59.5% Rise in R&D Allocations over Ten Years, Study Shows

From 2014 to 2024, national budget allocations for R&D increased by 59.5% across the EU's present members, according to data from Eurostat. 

European Commission Wants to Suspend Israel from Parts of Horizon Europe

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.

Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers

Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers

Communicating science to the public has been a part of the job for academic researchers for years, but the rise of social media and growing misinformation about science has raised the stakes. As national funders take steps to better prepare their researchers for public engagement, EU programmes are struggling to meet demand for support.

EU Urged to Exempt Research Spending from Deficit Rules

EU Urged to Exempt Research Spending from Deficit Rules

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling on the EU to introduce a major change to its rules to encourage member states to invest more in R&D: decouple national research and innovation investments from deficit rules until the EU's 3% of GDP target is met.

Praise for Commission's Research Programme Proposal, but Concerns Linger over Its Vagueness

Praise for Commission's Research Programme Proposal, but Concerns Linger over Its Vagueness

There was praise for research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and much relief after the European Commission presented its proposal for a €175 billion successor to Horizon Europe on July 16. But concerns remain about the programme's links to the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and plans to simplify funding.

Commission Puts Forward €175B Budget for FP10

Commission Puts Forward €175B Budget for FP10

The European Commission has presented plans to almost double Horizon Europe's budget to €175 billion under the next long-term budget for 2028-34. The tenth Framework Programme for research and innovation will remain "standalone" within a wider €409 billion European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).

European Leaders Cobble Together International Coalition for Ukrainian Science

European Leaders Cobble Together International Coalition for Ukrainian Science

The European Commission has joined various EU countries to launch an international coalition aimed at raising money and know-how to put science, research and innovation at the core of Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term development.

Associated Countries Weigh Up Leaked Plans for Next Framework Programme

Associated Countries Weigh Up Leaked Plans for Next Framework Programme

Non-EU countries associated to Horizon Europe have reacted warily to leaked draft proposals for the bloc's next research Framework Programme. 

EU Commission Draft Proposal for FP10 Leaked

EU Commission Draft Proposal for FP10 Leaked

Collaborative research in Horizon Europe is set to be rebranded after 2028 and will be managed through a "steering mechanism" and a "competitiveness coordination tool" which will be detailed in the regulation of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), a leaked FP10 proposal has revealed. 

EU 'Lagging Behind' on New Approaches to Research Funding

EU 'Lagging Behind' on New Approaches to Research Funding

EU countries and the European Commission aren't experimenting enough with new ways to fund research, according to a member of the expert group advising the Commission on how to design the next Framework Programme."EU countries are lagging behind somewhat in adopting or understanding or applying novel approaches to science funding," said Sylvia Schwaag Serger, president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Science, at a conference in London this week on the study of science, known as metascience. 

Horizon Papers: Industry Calls Get a Clean Industrial Deal Makeover in 2026-27

Horizon Papers: Industry Calls Get a Clean Industrial Deal Makeover in 2026-27

Europe's Clean Industrial Deal is making itself felt in Horizon Europe, according to a leaked early draft of the 2026-27 work programme for Cluster 4, which covers digital, industry and space research.

ERC Makes Bid to Become a 'permanent Standalone' EU Body

ERC Makes Bid to Become a 'permanent Standalone' EU Body

The European Research Council (ERC) Scientific Council wants the EU's fundamental research fund to become independent from the European Commission, with a stable long-term budget.In a surprise move on June 17, the council sent a proposal to create an independent ERC to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and research commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. So far, the letter has not been made public.