Commission's "unwavering commitment to R&I" amid uncertainty over Competitiveness Fund details

"While it is too early to be concrete on how the Competitiveness Fund will be formed, we count on your input for designing a strong framework for R&I", can one read in the response of the European Commission to the open letter to the President Ursula von der Leyen from Leru and Yerun, made public on 13/01/2025.

Back in October 2024, Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary General of Leru, and Silvia Gómez Recio, Secretary General of Yerun, wrote to the President of the European Commission to share their insights and recommendations on the new approach to the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the future of EU R&I funding.

In its response written by Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General for Planet, People and Science for Policy at DGRTD, the Commission affirms its "unwavering commitment to R&I". As evidence, it cites the Political Guidelines presented in July 2024 before Parliament, which announce that research and innovation, science, and technology will be placed at the center of the European economy.

The Commission states that it will "increase research spending by developing…