Universities and research institutes call for at least €200 billion for Horizon Europe

EU-LIFE and six partner organisations publish today the joint statement Investing in what makes Europe strong as negotiations advance on the EU’s long-term budget for 2028–2034 and the next Horizon Europe programme (FP10). We warn that the European Commission’s proposed €175 billion budget falls short of the investment needed and call on EU Member States to increase it to at least €200 billion.

The statement calls for

1. Investment at the necessary scale. At least €200 billion for Horizon Europe, giving the programme the resources to support scientific excellence, breakthrough discoveries and long-term impact.
2. Budget certainty. A stable and protected budget that is treated as a minimum commitment, with at least 12% of the total programme budget committed each year and additional resources for emerging priorities.
3. Balance across the research and innovation continuum. Strong support for frontier research, research talent, early-stage collaborative research and breakthrough innovation, particularly where private investment is less likely to step in.
4. Timely agreement. Agreement on the EU budget and Horizon Europe’s legal acts in time for the first funding calls to launch from 1 January 2028.
5. Complementary European and national investment. An ambitious EU-level budget matched by national progress towards investing at least 3% of GDP in R&I, including the public-effort target of 1.25% of EU GDP, to be achieved by each Member State by 2030.

“For Europe to remain a global leader, a competitive economic power and a sovereign actor, it needs strong science and innovation. For me, the equation is simple. Science and innovation can only carry the weight of Europe’s future if ambition is matched by investment. That means at least €200 billion for a stable and balanced FP10, accompanied by stronger national investment. Public funding must also be boldest where private capital is least likely to step in, supporting the early, high-risk stages where tomorrow’s breakthroughs begin,” said Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE.

The statement is jointly authored by CESAER, Coimbra Group, EUA, EU-LIFE, The Guild, LERU and YERUN. Together, the seven organisations represent more than 900 universities and research institutes across Europe. Its publication coincides with Investing in What Makes Europe Strong: Research and Innovation in the Next EU Budget, a high-level event in Brussels co-organised by the same group of organisations. European policymakers and research leaders will discuss what FP10 must deliver for Europe’s future and why Europe cannot afford to underfund it in times of crisis.

These activities build on the seven organisations’ coordinated engagement on FP10 and the wider EU research and innovation agenda. EU-LIFE remains committed to working with its partners and EU decision-makers to help secure a programme that supports excellent research, talent and innovation across Europe.

Read the full joint statement here.