EU ministers made a decisive good step on research financing

Today, EU research ministers adopted the Council’s position on Horizon Europe, the next EU flagship programme for research and innovation.

Next to emergency financial support for millions of firms across Europe, programmes, like Horizon Europe, are key to prepare Europe’s future growth and prosperity. A well-designed Horizon Europe has the potential to boost private investments in research and innovation at a time when companies have to make difficult choices in response to the unprecedented economic times. The increase of the overall budget of Horizon Europe is very important.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "Today’s adoption in Council is a decisive step forward for the programme to timely start in January 2021. We need sufficient financial means for the collaborative, mission-oriented and technology-intensive projects. 

We need to stimulate and leverage investments of European firms. 60% of Horizon Europe’s envelope should be dedicated to global challenges and industrial competitiveness in the areas of health, inclusive and secure society, digital and industry, climate, energy and mobility, food and natural resources, the so-called 'Pillar 2'. 

We also need to promote international cooperation by ensuring fair access to third countries that have a strong track record on science and innovation, respect of intellectual property rights and that reciprocally ensure access to funding to EU’s undertakings. In these very challenging times, this is the signal European firms need to stimulate and leverage investments."