Earto calls on Member States and MEPs to improve proposals for Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe

Earto, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations, is calling on the EU's national governments and MEPs to improve the European Commission's proposals for a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and Horizon Europe programme as part of the negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. Issuing its recommendations to negotiators on 10/10/2025, Earto says: "The EC proposals lay a strong foundation, but the work is not yet done".

Earto states that, while the increase for collaborative RD&I within the Horizon Europe proposal is "very welcome", it is lower than for the other pillars and represents a "relative weakening". The association calls on governments and MEPs to restore the target of 60% of Horizon Europe's budget to collaborative RD&I.

It also recommends "greater clarity and transparency" in the governance structures and programming between the ECF and Horizon Europe, to "avoid fragmentation" and ensure that collaborative RD&I grants are managed effectively.

Earto's recommendations on the MFF before negotiations start

The European…