Commission says European universities alliances "are in a good position" for Horizon Europe 2028-2034

The European Commission believes that European universities alliances "are in a good position" as the EU is finalising the Horizon Europe programme for 2028-2034 (FP10).

An official from the Commission's department for research and innovation, DG RTD, speaking at an event on 08/01/2026, said that FP10 is expected to receive increased funding for both the European Research Area (ERA) and "widening" countries (with poorer research performance) as part of the ongoing negotiations on the EU's budget for 2028-2034. If this is the case, it would allow for larger calls targeted at institutions, he said. The DG RTD representative particularly encouraged university alliances to apply.

In the European Commission's proposal for FP10, Pillar IV (for funding for ERA) would benefit from the largest percentage increase, from around €3.1 billion to around €16.3bn.

"There is hardly any call in our work programme where alliances do not apply," the official added. In the Horizon Europe ecosystem call last year, which will be repeated in 2027, there was a strong focus by alliances on building strong…