"To remain global leaders, a competitive economic power, and a sovereign actor, Europe needs strong science and innovation." Seven scientific organizations, representing over 900 European universities and research centers, have decided to speak up and, in a joint manifesto, demand ambitious funding for the next framework program of the European Union.
In particular, they advocate for at least 200 billion euros to be allocated to the next EU research and innovation program, called FP10, which will run between 2028 and 2034.
"The decisions made in the coming months will determine Europe's ability to generate revolutionary discoveries, drive social progress, strengthen innovation, and lay the foundations for its future prosperity, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. In this context, research and innovation constitute a fundamental strategic investment," states the manifesto, signed by EU-LIFE, an alliance of 16 European research institutes, CESAER, the Coimbra Group, the European University Association, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, LERU, and YERUN.
These organizations include institutions and universities such as Oxford (UK), Sorbonne (France), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona (CRG), Pompeu Fabra University, and the Conference of Spanish University Rectors (CRUE), among many others.
"The decisions made now will determine Europe's ability to compete, innovate, and act in the coming decades", emphasizes the text, highlighting that "research and innovation are not costs to be contained but investments in knowledge, talent, and technologies on which Europe's future strength depends." In this regard, the signatories urge "policymakers to translate Europe's ambitions into the necessary resources to compete on a global scale."
As explained in a press briefing by Marta Agostinho, executive director of EU-LIFE, the European Commission has proposed a budget of 175 billion euros, a significantly higher amount than the current program's investment, which stands at 93.5 billion euros (Horizon Europe, 2021-2027). However, this amount is still "below what is needed" considering inflation and the rising costs of research, she clarified. For this reason, the signatories demand that the investment reach at least 200 billion euros.
In addition to this amount, the manifesto also calls for a "stable and protected" budget with at least 12% of the total committed each year to "enable ambitious and high-risk research and strengthen Europe's research capacity, providing the necessary continuity to ensure long-term competitiveness and prosperity," the text states.
Likewise, it advocates for maintaining a balanced investment in research and innovation, "with strong support for frontier research of excellence, research talent, collaborative research in early stages, and disruptive innovation."
Scientists also call for a political agreement to ensure the program starts on time and without delays, in January 2028. Lastly, they demand that the European funds requested be accompanied by a strong commitment to science in each country. Thus, the manifesto requests that each European state allocate at least 3% of GDP to research and development. In 2024, Spain allocated around 1.5% of its annual GDP to research and development.
The manifesto is being published simultaneously with a joint event in Brussels to present these demands.
"In the coming months, the EU will decide where to invest for the next decades. It is an essential strategic investment in this geopolitical context," stated Agostinho, emphasizing that "if we do not put money where the words are, we will not achieve what is needed in terms of sovereignty and competitiveness."
"Current decisions determine Europe's future", she insisted, highlighting the need for politicians with the courage to invest not only in defense but also in innovation and knowledge.
"Research and innovation are not expenses to be contained but a critical investment for competitiveness and the technological war we are currently facing," she added.
Expressing a similar sentiment, also mentioning the word "war," Luis Serrano, former director of CRG and one of the co-founders of EU-LIFE, stated, "In technology and innovation, we have not realized that we are facing a different kind of war. If we do not invest, we will end up like in defense, isolated and abandoned. We are falling behind China and the USA."
"In the future, Europe cannot rely on importing technology without producing it. We run the risk of becoming the world's Disneyland, attracting tourists but producing nothing. It is a decision of what we want to be," Serrano added.
Both Agostinho and Serrano emphasized the importance of sustaining basic research as a strategic priority. "It is an area that contributes to all areas in the long term. We need much more investment in fundamental and multidisciplinary research, in open science. It should be a more valued strategy with more investment," they advocated.