MEP calls for Horizon Europe to fund research equipment over buildings

The MEP drafting the Parliament’s Culture and Education (CULT) Committee report on the European Commission’s proposal for Horizon Europe 2028-2034 has stressed that infrastructure funding should prioritise research equipment rather than “physical infrastructure”.

Laurence Farreng, a French MEP from the liberal Renew group, presented her draft report on Horizon Europe to the CULT committee on 27/01/2026. She said: "I think the Horizon programme should focus on research and I am somewhat perplexed by the Commission's proposal to fund physical 'infrastructure'. This potentially means buildings. However, given the budget that buildings can attract, there is a danger of draining all the funds that could be earmarked for pure research. I clarified the point in the report and suggested allowing the funding for the 'equipment' needed for research projects."

She presented two other priorities in this report, such as the recognition of cultural and creative industries and the central role of higher education in research.

She said she wanted to "ensure that cultural and creative industries are…