Rectors from six EU countries call for stronger safeguards on human rights in Horizon Europe 2028-2034

University rectors from France, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Austria and Belgium have called for stronger safeguards on human rights in the next Horizon Europe research programme for 2028-2034 (FP10).

On 16/03/2026, two rectors' conferences from the French- and Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium, plus five other EU countries, asked the EU institutions for human rights to become an explicit requirement for participation in the programme. The statement refers to "fundamental rights", the term used in EU treaties.

The rectors' groups have proposed adding a paragraph to the European Commission’s proposal for FP10 on ethics and research integrity, saying that entities taking part in the programme should "respect human rights and comply with relevant Union, national and international law... throughout the full duration of their participation in the programme". They say that "serious or systemic violations of human rights may lead to the termination of participation in an action and ultimately the exclusion from participating in the programme".

The Commission should be responsible for…