Reactions to the MFF: "A new course for the future" (C.Ehler); "Ensuring scientific excellence" (EUA)

"With the new MFF proposal, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, charts a new course for the future of Europe. The new European Competitiveness Fund finally makes global competitiveness of European industry a budgetary priority, but we cannot allow it to be a blank cheque to the Commission. The enlarged Framework Programme will put R&I at the heart of the European economy by strengthening European scientific leadership and tackling the innovation gap", says Christian Ehler, German MEP from EPP and former rapporteur for Horizon Europe, on 16/07/2025.

He is reacting to the European budget 2028-2034 (MFF) proposals, which were presented on 16/07/2025 by the European Commission. It notably proposes, among its budget of €2 trillion, €175 Bn for Horizon Europe (87.2% increase), €40.8 Bn for Erasmus+ (55.73% increase) and €451 Bn for the European Competitiveness Fund (including the Innovation Fund).

Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary General of Leru, highlights the "impressive" work of Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation: "When…