FP10 sets the course for Europe’s global relevance

FORWIT makes recommendations for the design of the European Union’s tenth European Research Framework Programme (FP10).

 

The preparatory discussions for the European Union’s tenth research framework programme (FP10), which will replace the current Horizon Europe programme in 2028 and is expected to run until 2034, are now in full swing. The FP10 budget is to be discussed as early as summer 2025 as part of the negotiations on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework.

„For strategic reasons alone, it makes sense for the Federal Government to advocate a strong framework programme. Firstly, it is the area in which Austria raises significantly more funds than it contributes to the budget. Secondly, investment in research and development will determine how well Europe masters current and future challenges and transformation processes,“ says Thomas Henzinger, Chairman of FORWIT.

For strategic reasons alone, it makes sense for the federal government to advocate a strong framework programme.

Thomas Henzinger

Against this backdrop, FORWIT has spent the past few months working intensively on the question of which criteria can be used to ensure a future-oriented design of FP10. To this end, 23 stakeholder organisations were invited to contribute their perspectives. Today, the Council published the results of its work in a recommendation, which is intended to serve the Austrian federal government and the relevant federal ministries as an informed basis for the upcoming negotiations on FP10.

Durchlässigkeit erhöhen und strategisch relevante Wertschöpfungsketten stärken

From FORWIT’s point of view, strengthening the permeability between basic and applied research as well as between the individual sectors and nation states is essential for the success of FP10. This creates synergies that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of European research.

This would also help to strengthen strategically relevant value chains and promote the sovereign (further) development of key technologies. Other aspects addressed in the recommendation include defence research, the development of the European Research Area (ERA) and the future of European competitiveness.

Investition in die Zukunft Europas

This is the only way to ensure Europe’s competitiveness vis-à-vis the USA and China.

Helga Nowotny

With regard to the financial endowment, FORWIT supports the call for FP10 to be given a budget of €200 billion. „This is the only way to guarantee Europe’s competitiveness against the USA and China,“ emphasised Council member Helga Nowotny, adding that the budget must be secured for the entire duration exclusively for the defined objectives of FP10 and must not be used for other priorities.

„Research funding is an investment in the future of Europe, in its global competitiveness and in the prosperity and security of our society. It is therefore particularly important that Austria brings an ambitious position to the negotiations on FP 10. FORWIT offers its expertise and accompanying advice for this purpose,“ emphasises Thomas Henzinger.