03 Jul 2025
University groups publish recommendations to connect Competitiveness Fund to FP10
The League of European Research Universities (LERU) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild), supported by other university and innovation networks, have released their advice about how to manage research funds in the future. They want the EU to keep the next Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10) and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) as two separate instruments, with their own budget and rules. FP10 should fund only research and innovation projects while the ECF should help move these projects into real-life use and business.
Even though FP10 and the ECF should be apart, the groups think they should work together where it makes sense. For example, special experts, called challenge managers, should help find the best research ideas and make sure they get support from both FP10 and ECF when needed.
The groups warn that research should stay focused on new knowledge, not just on helping business or industry. They say programmes like the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) should continue to let scientists follow their curiosity. The groups also say the EU should keep supporting teamwork and early-stage research, because this helps both companies and society.
The paper can be downloaded here: