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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

REGI-AD-782392

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza

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The Committee on Regional Development gives its opinion on the proposed Horizon Europe 2028-2034 regulation, the tenth EU research framework programme. It proposes amendments to add a territorial dimension: geographical balance, synergies with Cohesion Policy, smart specialisation and support for less-developed, rural, peripheral and outermost regions. It keeps excellence as the main funding criterion but asks for inclusive excellence, wider participation of widening and transition countries, and measures against brain drain. It proposes new definitions, rules on partnerships, missions, the ERC, MSCA, EIC, JRC, agriculture, food and water resilience, defence research, and simplification of funding. It also amends budget figures, Seal of Excellence rules, third-country participation and evaluation procedures.

Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes amendments to the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal to reinforce its territorial dimension, improve synergies with Cohesion Policy and ensure excellence-driven research emerges and is deployed across all regions.

Key points

  1. The committee welcomes the proposed Horizon Europe 2028-2034 and says it should better integrate the territorial dimension and reinforce synergies with Cohesion Policy.
  2. It finds participation uneven across member states and regions, with funding concentrated in a few hubs, and calls for a geographically balanced European Research Area.
  3. It asks for stronger coordination between Horizon Europe and Cohesion Policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, using ERDF, ESF+, the Seal of Excellence and the Stairway to Excellence.
  4. It proposes amendments to align the programme with smart specialisation strategies and to define smart specialisation strategies, regional innovation ecosystems, urban ecosystems and place-based innovation.
  5. It keeps excellence as the primary funding criterion but asks for support to emerging centres, SMEs, start-ups and widening countries, and for brain circulation rather than one-way mobility.
  6. It proposes that the ERC remove barriers for researchers from widening countries and establish ERC fellowships for them, and that MSCA focus on early-career researchers and less research-performing regions.
  7. It asks for concrete measures for widening and transition countries, including specific goals for projects coordinated by their entities, bonus points, preparatory grants and monitoring of participation.
  8. It proposes that European Partnerships include regional and local authorities, ensure balanced geographical selection and give member states and regions involvement commensurate with their contribution.
  9. It asks for EU Missions to involve regional authorities and adds a proposed animal health mission on prevention, early detection and control of animal diseases.
  10. It proposes that the EIC strengthen outreach to widening countries and facilitate access for SMEs and start-ups in less developed and transition regions.
  11. It asks for research and innovation in agriculture, food security, animal health and water resilience, and for a multi-actor approach involving practitioners and end-users.
  12. It proposes simplification through lump sums, personnel unit costs, a two-stage evaluation and a minimum funding amount per member state.

Who is affected

  • Regions and local authorities: eligible to participate and coordinate actions, and to be involved in partnerships and missions.
  • Widening and transition countries: specific goals, bonus points, preparatory grants and monitoring of their participation.
  • Outermost regions: eligible as coordinators and up to 100% Union funding for transnational cooperation networks.
  • SMEs and start-ups: up to 100% funding rate and simplified procedures in less developed and transition regions.
  • Farmers and primary producers: involved in research through a multi-actor approach with compensation for their time.

Figures and deadlines

  • At least 3% of the Union's GDP for research and development.
  • EUR 37 000 000 000 for collaborative research under Chapter V 'Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy'.
  • EUR 16 262 000 000 for Part IV 'European Research Area', of which EUR 5 387 000 000 for widening participation and spreading excellence.
  • Up to 100% of total eligible costs may be reimbursed; up to 70% for profit-making entities.
  • Up to 20% of the building costs of critical new world-class capacities.
  • Grants should not be awarded for actions above TRL 8.
  • Up to 100% Union funding rate for transnational cooperation networks of Outermost Regions.

Legal basis: Articles 173(3), 182(1), 183, 188, second subparagraph, Article 322(1), point (a), and Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.