1 December 2025 – ISE-EPSO press release

Today, organisations representing Europe’s research and innovation community present a coordinated set of amendments to the European Commission’s proposals for the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).

We are united by a simple, urgent call: enable Europe to move at the speed and scale that the moment demands. The decisions taken in the coming period must show that Europe is markedly stepping up its capacity to lead in cutting-edge research and innovation, in order to accelerate advanced technological and societal development underpinned by the latest scientific breakthroughs.

To this end, CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the European University Association (EUA), EU-LIFE, the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) are pleased to share the following:

• A cover note that provides a concise overview of our shared objectives and key proposals for the future of Horizon Europe (2028-2034).
• A full list of our jointly proposed amendments to the FP10 legal texts.

Together, representing more than 900 universities and research institutes, we call for an FP10 that strengthens Europe’s capacity to generate excellent research, attract world-leading talent, and translate knowledge into real-world impact. Indeed, these proposed amendments are intended to help ensure that the final legal texts enable the programme to meet the needs of the R&I community and to maximise its contribution to Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and prosperity.

We stand ready to support the co-legislators by explaining our proposals in detail and by providing further input as negotiations progress. Horizon Europe’s next chapter is a unique opportunity to reinforce Europe’s scientific leadership and innovation potential, underpinned by the talent that makes it possible.

“In addition to the specific amendments, ISE calls for the entire FP10 including the four policy windows to remain outside the ECF, while maintaining links to it: The entire FP10 should be linked to, but neither determined nor managed by the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). This requires a fundamental change to the EC proposal: The four policy windows found in Pillar 2 “competitiveness” should be moved back into the FP and determined solely by the FP.” – Karin Metzlaff, Vice-President ISE

“To this end, include ‘Fundamental research’ and ‘Bottom-up approaches’ in the ‘competitiveness part’ of pillar 2.” – Moniek Tromp, President ISE

Read the

• ISE Press Release on the Joint Framework Programme 10 (FP10) amendments, 1.12.2025
• ISE Statement to the EC’s proposal on MFF including FP10, 29.10.2025
• ISE main recommendations towards FP 10, 27.2.2025: https://initiative-se.eu/2025/02/27/ises-main-recommendations-for-fp10/.

Contacts:

Karin Metzlaff – EPSO Executive Director & ISE Vice-President & chair Working Group FP10
Moniek Tromp – ISE President