EARTO publishes analyses and recommendations on ECF and FP10

EARTO, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations, has published a set of analyses (including proposed text changes) on the European Commission proposals for the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe (2028-2034) and the Horizon Europe Specific Programme. In addition, EARTO has also published a set of recommendations for the negotiations on the ECF and Horizon Europe.

EARTO calls on the EU institutions to recognise what it considers the following strengths in the EC’s proposals:

• The creation of the ECF, together with a stand-alone FP10/Horizon Europe dedicated to RD&I and featuring a strong collaborative RD&I component, reflects an integrated approach that links RD&I and industrial policies.
• The commitment to a ring-fenced budget for RD&I, now set at €175.3 billion in the new Multiannual Financial Framework, is a vital step forward. EARTO hopes the Council and the European Parliament will protect this budget in the upcoming EU trialogue negotiations, avoiding any cuts.
• The recognition of applied RD&I through pillar II aligns with EARTO’s call for stronger RD&I investments focusing on strengthening Europe’s technology capabilities.
• The launch of the new European Research and Technology Infrastructures Strategy echoes EARTO’s call for a more robust and competitiveness-oriented RD&I ecosystem.
• These advances, coupled with the continued support for EU industrial partnerships, including simplified joint undertakings, are very welcome, from the association's point of view.

EARTO urges EU policymakers to address what it sees as several unresolved issues that will determine the effective success of the reforms proposed by the EC and accordingly makes the following recommendations to EU negotiators:

• While the proposed funding increase in collaborative RD&I within Horizon Europe’s proposal is very welcome, the increase is lower than for the other pillars and represents a relative weakening. EARTO calls for an even more ambitious allocation restoring the target of 60% of Horizon Europe’s budget to those collaborative RD&I activities.
• Governance structures and joint programming between the ECF and Horizon Europe require greater clarity and transparency to avoid fragmentation and ensure that collaborative RD&I grants are managed effectively.
• Investments in Technology Infrastructures (TIs) must be scaled up, with a dedicated budget line and clear links to the ECF and other funding instruments in its new financial toolbox to ensure Europe’s technology capabilities remain globally competitive.
• The unique role of RTOs must be safeguarded through the explicit recognition of their leadership within the upcoming ECF and Horizon Europe strategic boards and advisory structures.
• The introduction of new instruments, such as the Competitiveness Coordination Tool and the Observatory of Emerging Technologies, brings both promises and uncertainty. Their operations must be clarified to ensure they effectively empower and render more effective rather than encumber future policymaking and EU programming.

For more information:

EARTO - news

EARTO analyses and recommendations on EC proposals for ECF and Horizon Europe