MEP’s on the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee have today adopted their position on the regulation establishing the Horizon Europe programme and its implementation, the next and 9th Framework Programme on research and innovation (R&I) for 2021-2027.

ALDE Shadow rapporteur MEP Lieve Wierinck is optimistic about the outcome:

“During the negotiations I have emphasised the importance of keeping excellence as the main criteria to fund research and innovation projects. The position of ITRE reflects our thorough discussions, where we have agreed upon a balanced approach between fundamental research and market oriented innovation. We have also reinforced those instruments and tools that have worked especially well in the current Framework Programme, Horizon 2020.”

The European Framework programmes have become more important and significant over the years, delivering clear EU added value:

“In order to increase our competitiveness in the global economy, we should increase the overall budget of the programme to at least EUR 120 billion for the 7 years. Furthermore, we need a coherent R&I approach in Member States also, in which EU R&I funding is perceived as an incentive that is complementary to national efforts”, added Lieve Wierinck. 

We hope that in three weeks the ITRE position on Horizon Europe will be presented to the plenary of the European Parliament for a vote on the mandate to enter into inter-institutional negotiations.

MEP Lieve Wierinck said: “It will be a crucial message to our scientists, entrepreneurs and investors that the three EU institutions are working hard to ensure the continuity of research and innovation in the EU.”