11 Nov 2026
ITRE adopts European Parliament's position on Horizon Europe (2028-2034)
The Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) of the European Parliament (EP) voted on the Parliament’s position on Horizon Europe (2028-2034) on 10 November 2026. The draft report by MEP Christian Ehler (DE/EVP) on the Horizon Europe Regulation was adopted by 67 votes to 1, with 18 abstentions, and the draft report by MEP René Repasi (DE/S&D) on the Specific Programme by 66 votes to 1, with 19 abstentions. In addition, the Committee voted to open negotiations on the Horizon Europe regulation with 65 votes to 18, with two abstentions.
The reports propose a considerable number of amendments for the Horizon Europe Regulation and the Specific Programme. Some of these concern the following issues:
- MEPs want to restructure the link between the programme and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), to ensure an effective pathway for the practical application of research.
- MEPs want to increase the programme’s overall budget from the Commission’s €175 billion to €200 billion in current prices (€177 billion in 2025 prices) and they support maintaining its existing format – and funding – around four policy areas: science excellence; competitiveness and society; Innovation; and the European Research Area.
- MEPs are proposing strong budget guarantees for the European Research Council (ERC), and the European Innovation Council (EIC). They also warn against any erosion of the independence of the ERC and the EIC.
- MEPs want to reinforce budget transparency and traceability by giving each pillar dedicated budget lines, and by capping transfers within pillars by the Commission at 10% of the relevant appropriations.
- MEPs propose the creation of a high-level council for collaborative research and innovation, composed of at least 30 independent high-level experts from science, industry and civil society. This council, as proposed by MEPs, would provide strategic advice on thematic priorities, European Partnerships topics, resource allocation, and would help draft calls for proposals.
- MEPs propose establishing “broad lines of activities”, aiming to bring a sharper focus along which the Programme should be implemented. They propose accelerating the development of research and innovation projects by creating so-called “fast track to excellence” and “fast track to innovation” schemes, as well as a European support for researchers at risk programme, and similar initiatives for the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
The ITRE Committee's position and the mandate for negotiations are expected to be approved at one of forthcoming plenary sessions in November. The EP maintains its position that interinstitutional negotiations with the Council and the European Commission can only start once the Council has adopted its full mandate, including the overall funding levels for the EU’s long-term budget.
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