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OPINION (COM(2025)0543 – C100164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695

CULT-AD-782406

Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Laurence Farreng

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The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the proposed Horizon Europe regulation for 2028-2034, which sets rules for participation and dissemination and repeals Regulation (EU) 2021/695. The amendments add culture, education, skills and social sciences and humanities across the programme's objectives, recitals and articles. They require that at least 40% of the EUR 7 606 000 000 for the 'Society' component fund collaborative research on European cultures and cultural heritage, supporting cultural and creative industries. They also add rules on the European Research Area, the European Universities Alliances, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, the European Innovation Council, international cooperation and simplified funding.

Committee position. The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal, adding culture, education, skills and social sciences and humanities across the programme, requiring 40% of the Society component for cultural research, and setting rules on the European Research Area, innovation ecosystems and international cooperation.

Key points

  1. Recital 1 would state that research and innovation activities are based on scientific excellence, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and aim at the well-being of peoples in an educated and skilled society.
  2. Recital 2 would add cultural, educational and intergenerational impact, and skills development, to the programme's aims.
  3. New recitals would recognise cultural and creative industries as drivers of competitiveness and technological sovereignty, and call for support to research and cross-border collaboration in the creative field.
  4. Recital 12 would describe the New European Bauhaus Facility as bridging science, technology, art and cultural heritage, and supporting smaller and medium-sized municipalities.
  5. Recital 14 would require predictable and adequate funding for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and support for European higher education capacity.
  6. New recitals would state that research should serve the public interest and address long-term societal challenges, and that European Universities Alliances contribute to the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area.
  7. Article 3 would add democratic resilience and social cohesion to the programme's objectives and make social sciences and humanities a structural component.
  8. Article 4 would add cultural heritage and cultural and creative sectors, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its knowledge and innovation communities, to the programme's activities.
  9. Article 5 would require culture and creativity and social sciences and humanities across all components, gender mainstreaming, and a non-for-profit scholarly communication ecosystem.
  10. Article 6 would require that a minimum share of 40% of the EUR 7 606 000 000 for 'Society' fund collaborative research and innovation sustaining European cultures and cultural heritage and supporting cultural and creative industries.
  11. Article 15 would make cultural institutions, independent cultural organisations and civil society actors eligible in collaborative research, and add culture, creativity and digital transformations to its areas.
  12. Article 18 would remove the reference to infrastructures from its title and delete the provision that the programme contributes up to 20% of the building costs of critical new world-class European research and technology infrastructures.

Who is affected

  • Cultural and creative industries: recognised as strategic for competitiveness and eligible for research and innovation support.
  • Cultural institutions, independent cultural organisations and civil society actors: eligible participants in collaborative research and innovation projects.
  • Universities and higher education institutions: European Universities Alliances recognised and supported in research and innovation ecosystems.
  • Researchers and doctoral candidates: support for careers, training, mobility and gender balance in evaluation panels.
  • Smaller and local beneficiaries: reduced administrative burden and clear Commission guidance on funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 7 606 000 000 for the 'Society' component of Pillar II, of which a minimum share of 40% for collaborative research on European cultures and cultural heritage.
  • €7.6 billion allocated to the Society component in the current proposal.
  • €3.4 billion, equivalent to 40% of the Society component, described as a significant yet balanced increase.
  • €2.3 billion, the current budget of the 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society' cluster.
  • At least 3% of GDP target for investment in research and development.
  • Grants should not be awarded for actions where activities go above TRL 8.
  • European Universities Alliances launched in 2019.
  • Innovation Scoreboard Index (2023-2025) above 75% of the Union average for 'Transition countries'.