University and research associations present ideas for Horizon Europe and ECF to work smoothly together

Seven associations of universities and research centres in the life sciences have proposed a way for the EU's Horizon Europe (HE) research programme and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to work together to take the results of research through to commercial development.

The groups say that their "interface model" is intended to ensure that both programmes operate autonomously, complement one another and remain driven by scientific excellence and expertise.

The idea is a response to the proposal from the European Commission from July 2026 for an ECF that is separate from but closely linked to the HE programme for 2028-2034 (FP10). The organisations are concerned that the ECF proposal risks downgrading frontier and interdisciplinary research within the FP10 in the pursuit of short-term interests.

They also fear that the proposal would introduce a common set of rules for both programmes that would make it easier for the Commission to manage, but would not reduce the administrative burden for researchers.

The organisations propose a dual governance structure with separate…