MEPs seek to shield EU research from political meddling
Members of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee backed a bigger budget and a more expert-led structure for the EU’s 2028-2034 Horizon Europe research programme. They said the changes would strengthen the bloc’s scientific base and sustain its long-term competitiveness and technological innovation. The aim is also to help Europe address major societal challenges.
The committee voted on Parliament’s position on the programme. MEPs want to restructure its link with the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to create an effective pathway for the practical application of research.
They want to raise the programme’s overall budget from the European Commission’s proposed €175 billion to €200 billion in current prices, equivalent to €177 billion in 2025 prices. They also support keeping the programme’s existing format and funding around four policy areas: science excellence; competitiveness and society; innovation; and the European Research Area.
The MEPs’ text includes strong budget guarantees for the European Research Council (ERC), which funds frontier research, and the European Innovation Council (EIC), which funds innovation in a lab-to-market approach. It also warns against any erosion of the independence of either body.
To reinforce budget transparency and traceability, MEPs propose giving each pillar dedicated budget lines. They also propose capping the Commission’s transfers within pillars at 10 percent of the relevant appropriations.
Proposed expert council and fast-track schemes
Committee members propose creating a high-level council for collaborative research and innovation. It would be made up of at least 30 independent experts from science, industry and civil society. According to the proposal, it would give strategic advice on thematic priorities, topics for European partnerships and resource allocation. It would also help draft calls for proposals, the mechanism through which the programme allocates funding.
MEPs also propose establishing broad lines of activities to give the programme a sharper focus. To speed up the development of research and innovation projects, they propose “fast track to excellence” and “fast track to innovation” schemes. They also propose a European support programme for researchers at risk, along with similar initiatives for the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany), rapporteur for the regulation, said Horizon Europe is the only EU programme for which the Draghi report recommended a specific budget, of €200 billion. He said the programme is essential for Europe’s competitiveness but must reform to deliver its objectives better.
Ehler said that, as Mario Draghi recommended, “the ERC must retain its autonomy”, and that the EIC needs to become more autonomous and agile. He said the Commission had ignored these recommendations and that member states had not reacted. He described Parliament as the only institution truly putting science and research at the heart of the European economy.
René Repasi (S&D, Germany), rapporteur for the Council Decision, said researchers working in laboratories and universities are best placed to judge which questions hold the greatest long-term potential. He said decisions should rest on scientific excellence and the exploration of unexplored avenues, rather than on contemporary political priorities or the industrial interests of tomorrow. He said this was why MEPs were strengthening the ERC’s scientific autonomy and proposing a pilot project to give researchers a greater say in setting their own research priorities.
Parliament’s position on the regulation was adopted by 67 votes to 1, with 18 abstentions. Its position on the decision passed by 66 votes to 1, with 19 abstentions. MEPs also voted to open negotiations on the regulation, by 65 votes to 18, with 2 abstentions.
The committee position and the negotiating mandate are expected to be approved at one of the forthcoming plenary sessions. Interinstitutional negotiations can begin only once member states have adopted their full mandate, including the overall funding levels for the EU’s long-term budget.
The legislation is part of the EU’s 2028-2034 long-term budget (MFF) package. Parliament wants the budget to remain a strong investment tool that supports citizens, regions and businesses while delivering clear added value beyond national budgets. MEPs propose enlarging the draft budget to meet new challenges and insist on the importance of new revenue sources to fund an ambitious and sustainable budget.
