European Parliament backs €200-billion research funding plan for 2028–34

The European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) has backed a proposed €200-billion budget for the European Union’s next research and innovation programme, covering 2028 to 2034. The proposed allocation is higher than the €175 billion put forward by the European Commission.

The committee adopted its position on Nov 10, marking a step towards shaping the EU’s next research framework, which will succeed the current Horizon Europe programme. The proposal still needs to pass through further parliamentary and EU-level negotiations before the programme’s final budget and rules are settled.

The committee’s position was adopted by 67 votes in favour, one against and 18 abstentions. Members also supported opening negotiations on the proposed regulation, although discussions with the Council of the European Union will depend on the member states agreeing on their own negotiating mandate.

More funding for scientific research

The proposed €200-billion allocation is intended to strengthen investment across the programme’s research priorities. It represents an increase over the European Commission’s proposed €175 billion and is equivalent to €177 billion when calculated in 2025 prices.

The committee has also called for stronger budget safeguards for the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). The ERC supports frontier research, while the EIC focuses on developing and scaling up innovations.

MEPs want to protect the independence of both bodies and introduce dedicated budget lines for the programme’s different areas. They have also proposed limiting the European Commission’s ability to transfer funds between budget lines within each pillar.

A greater role for independent experts

Another proposal is to establish a high-level council comprising at least 30 independent experts from scientific research, industry and civil society. The proposed body would advise on research priorities, European partnerships and the allocation of resources, while helping shape calls for research proposals.

The committee has also called for faster routes to support research excellence and innovation. Its proposals include schemes to accelerate promising research projects, along with a support programme for researchers at risk.

For universities and research institutions, these proposals could influence how research priorities are set and how funding opportunities are designed under the successor programme. However, the details will depend on the final legislation and funding arrangements.

Universities seek stronger research autonomy

The European University Association (EUA), which represents universities and national university associations across Europe, welcomed the committee’s position in a statement published on Nov13.

The association particularly supported the proposed increase in funding, stronger safeguards for the ERC, and the preservation of the bottom-up character of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which support researchers’ training and career development.

It also welcomed proposals to strengthen international research cooperation and give independent scientific experts a greater role in shaping research priorities.

However, the EUA cautioned that some proposed arrangements for addressing societal challenges could restrict research to a narrower set of predefined priorities. It called for sufficient room for social sciences and humanities research across the programme.

The final allocation will also be linked to negotiations over the EU’s long-term budget for 2028–2034. Until an agreement is reached, the €200-billion figure remains the Parliament committee’s proposed position rather than an approved funding commitment.