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DRAFT BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT (COM(2025) 0544 – C100218/2025 – 2025/0544(CNS))

On the proposal for a Council Decision on establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2028-2034, laying down the rules for participation and dissemination under that Programme

BUDG-PA-782455

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Olivier Chastel

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The Committee on Budgets gives a budgetary assessment of the proposed Council Decision setting up the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe for 2028-2034. It asks for a larger programme envelope, stable staffing, simpler rules, detailed budget lines and clear funding for the ERC, the EIC and European partnerships. It also tables three amendments: a new recital on the budget implications, a new recital on parliamentary oversight and budget nomenclature, and a change to Article 3(1) on the indicative financial envelope.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgets proposes a larger programme envelope, stable human resources, simpler rules, detailed budget lines, clear funding for the ERC, the EIC and partnerships, and timely information for Parliament. It tables three amendments on budget implications, oversight and the financial envelope.

Key points

  1. The committee finds that the Draghi report backs a simpler programme focused on select priorities with an increased budget of EUR 200 billion.
  2. It notes the interim evaluation confirms the programme's European added value, and that only 30 % of high-quality proposals could be financed, with an additional EUR 81.8 billion needed to fund them all.
  3. It cites the Budapest declaration's aim of dedicating 3 % of GDP to research and development by 2030, and the Letta report's proposed '5th freedom' for research, innovation and education in the Single Market.
  4. It considers the programme envelope should rise from EUR 154 billion to a number from the interim report, in current and 2025 prices, to boost innovation in strategic sectors and support the 3 % of GDP objective.
  5. It says sufficient human resources must be available from the outset and throughout the next multiannual financial framework, with clear and predictable allocations so bodies such as the European Research Council and the European Innovation Council keep stable staff.
  6. It calls for less administrative burden for beneficiaries, simpler financial rules, especially on personnel costs, and streamlined reporting.
  7. It says work programmes cannot be the only way funds are allocated, and calls for detailed budget lines so the budgetary authority can oversee and steer the programme.
  8. It wants Horizon Europe allocations to stay clearly identifiable and traceable throughout implementation, including where actions are programmed with other EU instruments or policy windows.
  9. It stresses Parliament should get timely information on the adoption of work programmes, including the financial allocation per action and its consistency with the basic act's objectives.
  10. It supports European partnerships as implementing bodies, but calls for European added value, transparency and openness, a clear and predictable budget, and transparent reporting on EU and partner contributions and performance.
  11. It regrets the lack of a specific budget for the European Research Council and calls for clear, predictable and sufficiently ambitious funding, and calls for a clear budget for the European Innovation Council.
  12. It notes the Commission's 16 July 2025 proposal for a performance regulation with a single list of indicators, and says any change to the programme's architecture, objectives or eligible actions must be reflected in that regulation's monitoring provisions.

Who is affected

  • The European research and innovation sector, which would receive a larger programme envelope and simpler financial rules.
  • Beneficiaries of Horizon Europe, who would face less administrative burden and streamlined reporting.
  • The European Research Council and the European Innovation Council, which would receive clear, predictable budgets and stable human resources.
  • European partnerships, which would need genuine European added value, transparency, openness and transparent reporting.
  • Parliament, which would receive timely information on work programmes and gain oversight through detailed budget lines.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 200 billion — the increased budget supported by the Draghi report.
  • 12 % — the average success rate in Horizon 2020.
  • 16.4 % — the average success rate in Horizon Europe.
  • 30 % — the share of high-quality proposals that could be financed.
  • EUR 81.8 billion — the additional amount needed to fund all high-quality proposals.
  • 3 % of GDP — the research and development spending target for 2030.
  • EUR 154 billion — the current programme envelope the committee wants increased.
  • 2028 to 2034 — the period for which the indicative financial envelope is set.

Legal basis: Article 310(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union