On 13 March, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Christian Ehler, lead rapporteur for the regulation establishing Framework Programme 10 (FP10), presented his draft report on the European Commission’s proposal for the programme. On the same day, MEP René Repasi, rapporteur for Specific Programme 10 (SP10), the legislation governing the programme’s implementation, also published his draft report.

In his report, Ehler introduces significant changes to the European Commission’s initial proposal, including a call for a €220 billion budget for FP10, in line with the recommendations of the Heitor Report, and the proposal that all defence research should be funded under the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), thereby preserving the programme’s civilian nature. The draft also seeks to establish a clearer governance structure. In particular, it aims to clarify the interaction between FP10’s Pillar II — dedicated to collaborative research — and the ECF, which focuses on the deployment of innovative technologies in strategic sectors. This clearer interaction would notably take shape through the creation of two councils within Pillar II, appointed for five years: one on industrial competitiveness and technology, and the other on societal challenges. These councils would oversee expert teams composed of four to six specialists from academia or industry for each broad thematic research priority. The expert teams would be responsible for drafting calls and managing project portfolios.

Alongside this governance reform, the draft also proposes extending Horizon Europe work programmes to three years instead of the current two, with the final year overlapping with the first year of the subsequent programme. Through this approach, Ehler seeks to promote a more agile, bottom-up model relying on expert leadership, whereby public authorities define broad priorities while experts steer implementation. Under this system, experts could propose calls throughout the entire three-year period.

The draft report also advocates greater independence and autonomy for the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC), which Ehler considers essential to fostering disruptive innovation. This view is echoed by SP10 rapporteur René Repasi, who highlights the key role of the ERC, the EIC and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Repasi also stresses the importance of excellence and expert-led governance.

Repasi’s draft also introduces an additional mechanism under the ERC Scientific Council, whereby research organisations from specific sectors could develop six-year sectoral plans to stimulate the development of concrete research projects. In line with the selected research theme, projects would be implemented following approval by experts from the scientific community. According to Repasi, this mechanism would support the advancement of entire scientific fields while fostering sector-specific cooperation.

Asked about the future of the negotiations, Ehler — who is also co-rapporteur for the ECF — expressed confidence in the potential of interinstitutional cooperation to deliver a robust programme. He nevertheless warned that discussions around the ECF could complicate negotiations, as they will involve finance ministries, which are not usually responsible for research funding.

The publication of the draft reports marks an important first step towards the adoption of the legislation establishing FP10. The files have now been submitted to the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) for amendments. A compromise is currently expected in September, with the European Parliament plenary vote scheduled for 5 October. In parallel, research and innovation ministers in the Council of the European Union are expected to reach a partial general approach on 29 May. Once both positions are adopted, interinstitutional negotiations can begin.

EERA welcomes the draft reports, which confirm the European Parliament’s longstanding support for an ambitious, ring-fenced FP10 budget, support the entire research and innovation value chain, and bring much-needed clarification on the potential interaction between FP10 and the ECF — an issue EERA has consistently highlighted. EERA will remain actively engaged throughout the negotiations and will continue to advocate strong financing for clean energy research and a programme promoting excellence, expertise and coherence across the innovation value chain as key drivers of decarbonisation, competitiveness and security in an increasingly challenging geopolitical context.