The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is an essential tool to boost excellent research and innovation and foster collaboration at European level. Science Europe actively promotes its vision for an ambitious programme that will help develop excellence throughout the European Research Area.
The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is the main EU funding instrument for research and innovation (R&I).
The topic is a major priority area for Science Europe and its Member Organisations (MOs). Science Europe represents both Research Performing Organisations (RPOs), who are among the main beneficiaries of the Framework Programmes, and Research Funding Organisations (RFOs), who have decades of experience in setting up leading research programmes and who collaborate regularly with the European Commission notably through joint initiatives.
Science Europe and its MOs are committed to contributing to making EU Framework Programmes a successful and efficient tool to boost R&I.
The European Institutions are currently preparing Horizon Europe, the next Framework Programme for 2021-2027. Science Europe firmly believes that Europe needs and deserves a research programme which:
Science Europe is an active voice in the policy dialogues for the Horizon Europe preparations and is actively collaborating with policy makers from the EU Institutions to ensure that the input of its Research Performing Organisations and Research Funding Organisations is integrated into the final programme.
Science Europe puts forward the experience of its Member Organisations, and feedback from approaches tested at national level, to inform the decisions regarding the development and implementation of new initiatives developed within Horizon Europe.
Science Europe also informs and supports its Member Organisations in the context of their own engagement with Horizon Europe.
| Country | Organisation | Acronym | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Austrian Science Fund | FWF | Reinhard Belocky |
| Belgium | Fund for Scientific Research | FRS-FNRS | Natacha Wittorski |
| Belgium | Research Foundation Flanders | FWO | Ann Van Hauwaert |
| Denmark | Independent Research Fund Denmark | DFF | Anne Lindeløv |
| Estonia | Estonian Research Council | ETAg | Ülle Napa |
| Finland | Academy of Finland | AKA | Hannele Lahtinen |
| France | French National Research Agency | ANR | Nakita Vodjdani |
| Germany | German Research Foundation | DFG | Martin Winger |
| Germany | Max Planck Society | MPG | Rüdiger Hesse |
| Ireland | Irish Research Council | IRC | Peter Brown |
| Ireland | Science Foundation Ireland | SFI | Dolores Melgar |
| Italy | National Institute for Nuclear Physics | INFN | Francesco Ferlaino |
| Lithuania | Research Council of Lithuania | LMT | Jūratė Devižienė |
| Netherlands | Dutch Research Council | NWO | Joyce Kuipers |
| Norway | Research Council of Norway | RCN | Tom-Espen Møller |
| Norway | Research Council of Norway | RCN | Tor Ivar Eikaas |
| Poland | Foundation for Polish Science | FNP | Michal Pietras |
| Poland | National Science Centre Poland | NCN | Sylwia Kostka |
| Portugal | Foundation for Science and Technology | FCT | Ana Mafalda Dourado |
| Spain | Spanish National Research Council | CSIC | Berta Martínez |
| Sweden | Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development | FORMAS | Britta Fängström |
| Sweden | Swedish Research Council | VR | Ana Beramendi |
| Switzerland | Swiss National Science Foundation | SNSF | Rahel Byland |
| United Kingdom | UK Research and Innovation | UKRI | Inga Benner |
Together with LERU, EUA, EARTO, and the Vice-Presidents of the European Research Council (ERC), we join MEP Christian Ehler from the EEP Group in his call to match the Green & Digital goals with a budget fit for this age.
In its response to the European Commission, Science Europe outlines numerous topics that should be further addressed in order to create the best possible start for Horizon Europe. Such developments include striking the right balance between research and innovation, embedding the whole spectrum of equality aspects, better integration of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the creation of synergies between the various parts of the programme.
Science Europe welcomes the European Commission’s ambitions for digital and green transformation as highlighted by President von der Leyen today.
The Research and Innovation (R&I) sector has been sacrificed in these budget negotiations, when it should have been the spearhead of an ambitious, future-oriented, knowledge-based plan for Europe. Science Europe now calls the European Parliament and the European Commission, as the protectors of European R&I, to continue taking a strong stand in favour of a larger budget for Horizon Europe
Science Europe calls on the leaders of the EU to dedicate increased funding to research and innovation at the 19 June European Council meeting on the EU long-term budget and COVID-19 recovery fund.
An increased budget is necessary to meet the ambitious objectives of the European Union for a sustainable, healthy planet, and to ensure the global competitiveness of its research sector.
Science Europe also emphasises the need for sustained European leadership in tackling all COVID-19-incurred challenges.
Science Europe joins 300+ organisations in call to EU decision-makers to pledge ambitious EU Budget on vital R&I.