FP10: "The crucial role of innovative universities in achieving the needed societal impact" (ECIU)

"Innovative universities, such as ECIU alliance partners, play a crucial role in helping achieve the needed societal impact of FP10. They help foster an ecosystem where knowledge diffusion propels both economic vitality and societal advancement, which is crucial for the technological autonomy of Europe", can one read in the position paper on FP10 by the European university alliance ECIU, published on 06/11/2024.

The alliance is putting forward three key messages for the next European framework programme for research and innovation:

• "Build upon the unique role of universities driving regional and European competitiveness,
• enhance the societal impact of research with bottom-up calls to allow for multifaceted impact,
• enhance Europe’s innovation potential through smart investments and a dedicated, ringfenced €220 Bn budget."

Interrogated by News Tank on the document from the European Commission's DG Budget proposing the merger of FP10 and other programmes into a Competitiveness fund, Olga Wessels, head of ECIU alliance Brussels, says:

"A dedicated programme for R&I is very…