EP committee report calls for the ERC to be independent agency with separate legal basis

René Repasi, a German MEP drafting the EP's report on the implementation of the next Horizon Europe programme, has called for the European Research Council (ERC) to be an independent agency.

In his report, published on 13/03/2026, written for the Parliament's industry, research and energy (ITRE) committee, he asks the Commission to "assess the feasibility and potential added value of establishing the ERC as an independent Union agency provided for under a separate legal basis".

He also proposed another change in Pillar I ("Excellent Science"), adding a new ERC mechanism, "Sectoral plans". This would let research institutions within a specific field collaborate to define joint research priorities, supported by a pre-allocated budget in the ERC work programme.

Repasi's report on the so-called "Specific Programme" addresses the implementing rules for Horizon Europe for 2028-2034. The German centre-left MEP said that his report was "subordinate to the Framework Programme," on which MEP Christian Ehler published a report on the same day.

In his report, Repasi writes: "Legal clarity and…