FP10 and European Competitiveness: "We need an ecosystem that makes universities thrive" (J. Ay)

"We really need people who can develop and apply technologies. European universities aim to educate and train these people, ideally, even more than they do today, because the challenges are ever greater. We need an ecosystem that makes universities thrive", says Judith Ay, Policy Director at European Round Table for Industry, which brings together 60 of Europe’s largest companies in the industrial and technological sector on 19/03/2025.

She takes part in a round table dedicated to the FP10 during the EuroTech Annual Event 2025, held at the Bavarian Permanent Representation in Brussels.

Christian Ehler, German MEP from EPP and former rapporteur for Horizon Europe, thinks that "the question is whether we have a framework programme or not". Referring to a leaked memo, he says: "The Competitiveness Fund seems to completely substitute the framework programme. There would be four priorities: digital, net zero, defence, and biotechnology and if there are some additional funds, it will be given to the ERC".

"That is DG Budg's idea of how to structure innovation. I've been here for 21 years…