ECIU welcomes the increase of the combined budget share for Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe in the proposal for the next EU multiannual budget (MFF, running from 2028-2034). The increase from about 9% in the current MFF (2021-2027) to almost 11% for the next MFF (2028-2034), is a promising signal for universities.

The programme budgets of both Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe are proposed to increase. Moreover, the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) will also fund relevant initiatives for universities. The precise budgetary breakdown within each programme is yet to be clarified.

• Horizon Europe 2.0 receives a proposed €175 billion for research and innovation (compared to 95.5 now). Some unclarity remains about the independence from a European Competitiveness Fund and what this would mean for academic independence. More information about the Horizon Europe proposal can be found below (link to programme proposal).
• ‍Erasmus+ 2.0 receives a proposed €40.8 billion for education and mobility (compared to 26.2 now, but it should also include some extra activities such as a European Solidarity Corps) (link to programme proposal).
• The new European Competitiveness Fund receives a proposed €409 billion for innovation (link to programme proposal).
• The Cohesion Policy receives a proposed €865 billion to support national and regional partnership. There will be a stronger performance-based approach that links reforms and investments (more information here).

Although not everything is clear yet, ECIU Universities are happy with these proposed increases in budget. However, this is just the Commission proposal. The European Parliament and Member States still have to position themselves and the trialogue (negotiations) are expected to take some more months (up to two years).

Also, the precise budgetary breakdown within each programme is yet to be clarified. For example, it is still unclear what the exact funding for the next phase (2028 and beyond) of ECIU University will be.

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What’s next

The negotiation period starts now: First, the European Parliament and Member States will take position (Autumn 2025). Then, there will be very tricky negotiations (2026). The final budget agreement, and programme regulations, are only expected early 2027, and they will start on 1 January 2028.

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Needs for research

For this reasons, ECIU members call upon the Member States and European Parliament to follow the reasoning of Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European Competitiveness, as well as the report from the expert group led by Manuel Heitor for the interim evaluation of the ongoing Horizon Europe. Both highlighted that an increase in the framework programme’s budget is critical to boost Europe’s scientific and industrial leadership. This is also the reason why ECIU called for at least a 220 billion euro envelope in its recent FP10 position.

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Needs for education

In the context of the European Universities initiative, ECIU works together in the FOREU4ALL context to ensure a strong voice for the much needed investments in European Universities alliances. ECIU is happy to note that the main funding for European Universities alliances will come from Erasmus+. Moreover, there are very nice anchors in both the Horizon Europe and European Competitiveness Fund proposals. This is very promising when working towards holistic funding for European University Alliances (i.e. also for research and innovation activities). ECIU calls upon the Member States and European Parliament to ensure these anchors are not just words in a legal text, but that the references will be brought to live with crystal clear opportunities for funding and potential impact.