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01/12/2025

Shared vision, unified voice: universities and research institutes in Europe propose joint FP10 amendments

EU-LIFE, together with six other leading organisations representing Europe’s research and innovation community, presents a set of amendments to the European Commission’s proposals for the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).

We are united by a simple, urgent call: enable Europe to move at the speed and scale that the moment demands. The decisions taken in the coming period must show that Europe is markedly stepping up its capacity to lead in cutting-edge research and innovation, in order to accelerate advanced technological and societal development underpinned by the latest scientific breakthroughs.

To this end, CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the European University Association (EUA), EU-LIFE, the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), are pleased to share a cover note with a concise overview of our objectives and a full list of our jointly proposed amendments to the FP10 legal texts, which are available in this link: https://eu-life.eu/newsroom/publications/joint-amendments-fp10

“FP10 must empower Europe to remain a global leader in science by protecting what works: excellence-driven, investigator-led research and a strong pipeline of talent. Our joint amendments ensure that FP10 reinforces—not dilutes—its scientific mission while working coherently with other EU instruments. Europe needs a research programme that is ambitious, smartly designed and fully equipped to turn knowledge into long-term competitiveness and societal resilience,” said Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE.

The joint amendments address essential elements of the FP10 legal architecture, focusing on strengthening what already works while correcting areas where greater alignment, clarity or focus are needed. Key objectives include:

  • Clear and autonomous programme objectives, rooted in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, and covering excellence, talent, societal impact, sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
  • Reinforcing flagship programmes, notably the ERC and MSCA, by protecting their investigator-driven, excellence-focused nature.
  • Ensuring complementarity with other EU instruments, particularly the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), while removing ECF-derived provisions that are not suited to funding research.
  • Strengthening horizontal principles and definitions, including interdisciplinarity, open science, research infrastructures, gender equality, international cooperation and co-creation.
  • Robust, expert-led governance, with enhanced autonomy for the ERC Scientific Council, the EIC Board and new mechanisms for transparent governance in Pillar II.
  • Simplification and flexibility in implementation, improving clarity on funding forms, eligibility, and the reinstatement of the Seal of Excellence.
  • Open and excellence-based participation, including predictable association pathways for countries such as Switzerland and the UK.
  • Balanced support across the R&I continuum, with strong emphasis on early and intermediate stages of research.
  • Clear distinction between civil R&I and defence, ensuring FP10 remains focused on civil or dual-use areas while defence-specific activities are channelled through more suitable programmes.

Together, representing more than 900 universities and research institutes, we call for an FP10 that strengthens Europe’s capacity to generate excellent research, attract world-leading talent, and translate knowledge into real-world impact. Indeed, these proposed amendments are intended to help ensure that the final legal texts enable the programme to meet the needs of the R&I community and to maximise its contribution to Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and prosperity.

We stand ready to support the co-legislators by explaining our proposals in detail and by providing further input as negotiations progress. Horizon Europe’s next chapter is a unique opportunity to reinforce Europe’s scientific leadership and innovation potential, underpinned by the talent that makes it possible. 

These amendments are also supported by ALLEA, Aurora Universities Network, ECIU, ISE, MCAA, UNICA and Young Academy of Europe. Stakeholder organisations that wish to support the amendments please email contact@eu-life.eu 

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