Nordic Rectors’ Conferences call for strengthened funding of research and innovation in next EU budget

The Nordic Rectors’ Conferences have called for more ambitious research and innovation funding and a stronger role for scientific excellence in the upcoming financial framework, ahead of months of debate between member states regarding the next EU budget.

The rectors’ conferences of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden "welcome the fact that the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have placed education, research and innovation at the centre of strengthening the European Union’s future competitiveness," they said in a joint statement on 29/05/2026.

They presented their views for the preparation of the next EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe 2028-2034, as well as the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF):
• Europe needs an ambitious and predictable funding framework that enhances the excellence of research and innovation, attracts talent and supports societal and economic impact;
• The future Horizon Europe programme must remain the EU’s key instrument for high-quality, open and researcher-driven research as well as…