Shaping FP10: EU-LIFE advocacy at a decisive moment for European research
During 2025, as Europe entered a decisive phase in the definition of its next long-term Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), EU-LIFE intensified its engagement to help shape the programme. Grounded in extensive consultation with its member institutes, EU-LIFE’s positions were consistently reflected in debates on FP10, the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe and the EU’s broader competitiveness agenda.
As discussions progress from strategic orientations to concrete legislative texts, EU-LIFE’s role is evolving accordingly, with a clear shift from agenda-setting to direct influence. At this critical stage, particular attention has been placed on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the emerging legal architecture of FP10.
Positioning FP10 within the EU’s long-term budget framework
The European Commission’s proposal for MFF 2028–2034, published in July 2025, marked a pivotal moment for FP10. EU-LIFE welcomed several important elements of the proposal, including the recognition of FP10 as a standalone and independent programme and the proposed increase in its overall budget.
At the same time, EU-LIFE identified several serious concerns that require close attention during the negotiations with the Council and the European Parliament. These include the risk that FP10’s budget could be diluted, the potential subordination of FP10 to the governance of the European Competitiveness Fund, and emerging threats to excellence-driven, investigator-led research. There were also concerns about possible impacts on the autonomous governance of flagship programmes such as the European Research Council, insufficient support for early-stage research across the research and innovation continuum, and unclear definitions of open calls that could, in practice, limit bottom-up participation.
In response, last summer EU-LIFE issued an open letter addressed to the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, setting out concrete priorities and recommendations for the negotiations ahead. [1]
Joint amendments to the FP10 legal texts
Since September 2025, EU-LIFE has worked closely with other leading research and innovation stakeholder organisations to analyse the MFF proposal in depth and to develop detailed amendments and recommendations for Member States and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This coordinated approach enabled the research and innovation community to articulate a consolidated view on FP10 and to convey its priorities in a coherent and aligned manner. The work culminated in December 2025, when EU-LIFE co-led the publication of joint amendments to the European Commission’s FP10 legal proposals, developed together with CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the European University Association (EUA), the League of European Research Universities (LERU), The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and YERUN.
Supported by a broad coalition representing more than 1,000 universities and research institutes across Europe, the amendments aim to strengthen FP10’s legal architecture while preserving the core elements that underpin Europe’s scientific excellence. They focus on ensuring clear and autonomous programme objectives rooted in the EU Treaties; robust, expert-led and transparent governance; greater simplification and flexibility in implementation; open and excellence-based participation; balanced support across all stages of research and innovation; and a clear distinction between civil research and defence-related activities.
Following the publication of the joint amendments, the proposals were presented to Christian Ehler, MEP, rapporteur of FP10 and co-rapporteur of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) from the European Parliament. This marked the start of a broader phase of engagement, with ongoing meetings involving relevant MEPs, European Commission policymakers and representatives from across the research and innovation sector. These discussions allow for an in-depth examination of the amendments and their underlying rationale, with a focus on strengthening FP10’s legal architecture, governance and implementation, and on clarifying how the proposals respond to the needs of the research and innovation community.
Looking ahead
As negotiations advance, the group of stakeholder organisations is increasingly focusing on the ECF and its interaction with the FP10. The objective is to contribute to the development of an ECF proposal that effectively supports Europe’s innovation journey while fully integrating research and innovation as core strategic assets. By providing consolidated sector-wide feedback, EU-LIFE and its partners aim to help ensure that FP10 is well designed and robust, that the ECF delivers on its objectives, and that both instruments are coherent, complementary and mutually reinforcing in strengthening Europe’s long-term research and innovation capacity.
[1] For detailed information on EU-LIFE’s proposals about the future Framework Programme FP10, consult:
