Research community calls for expert-driven governance in Horizon Europe and Competitiveness Fund

The European research community has called for expert-driven governance for the EU's planned European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and the Horizon Europe (HE) programme for 2028-2034.

During a series of hearings at the European Parliament committee for research, industry and energy (ITRE) on 25-26/02/2026 on ECF and Horizon Europe, Manuel Heitor, former chair of the high-level expert group that evaluated Horizon Europe, stressed the need to align governance structures with the model of the European Research Council (ERC).

"The governance [of all instruments of Horizon Europe] must follow the European Research Council (ERC) model," Heitor stated.

Because the ERC is overseen by an independent governing body composed of leading scientists and scholars, Heitor argued that the next Framework Programme (FP10) should likewise operate as a standalone structure, led by scientists and innovators.

Heitor placed particular emphasis on the governance of Pillar 2 of the programme, dedicated to collaborative research: "Pillar 2 must be implemented now with correct governance. The best model is the ERC…