EU Council reaches partial deal on 2028-2034 Horizon programme with more power for member states
The Council of the EU has reached agreement on the main points of the Horizon Europe programme for 2028-2034, with a strengthened role for the member states in setting priorities.
The so-called partial general agreement (PGA) was reached by EU ambassadors on 24/06/2026 and was formally agreed by ministers on 26/06/2026.
A statement by the Council says that the deal “reinforces the member states’ involvement in Horizon Europe’s strategic priority-setting”. EU governments had been concerned that the proposal for the new programme presented by the European Commission in July 2025 reduced their influence.
The agreement is described as “partial” because it does not cover the size of the budget for Horizon Europe in 2028-2034 or issues that apply to the budget as a whole. These are expected to be decided by the end of 2026 as part of an agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.
The PGA was welcomed by Jan Palmowski, secretary-general of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, who called it a “real step forward”. He expressed concern, however, that the version of the new rules for Horizon agreed by the Council might not be flexible enough to cope with fast-evolving scientific developments. “The central issue that the PGA does not resolve lies in its architecture: how to ensure that FP10, i.e. its work programmes and calls, are designed so they are at the cutting edge of science, and can respond quickly as scientific boundaries shift? Strengthening the voice of the Council through the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC), as proposed in the PGA, would achieve the opposite,” he said.
Christian Ehler, a German centre-right MEP who has drafted the EP’s position on Horizon, also welcomed the agreement, highlighting the consensus between MEPs and the Council on the need for the independence of the European Research Council and the President of the European Innovation Council. Ehler said that he was concerned about the lack of reference to the freedom of scientific research. He also criticised the Council’s decision to make programming under Pillar 2 of Horizon (on competitiveness) subject to the rules for the European Competitiveness Fund (which aims to develop the results of research into viable businesses).
Now that the Council has reached a PGA on Horizon, negotiations with the EP on the file can start once the Parliament formally approves Ehler’s report.
Main features of Council's position
The main features of the Council agreement on Horizon Europe are as follows:
- It reinforces the member states’ involvement in Horizon Europe’s strategic priority-setting;
- It clarifies the close links with the European Competitiveness Fund as well as introduces improvements and additional assurances related to European Partnerships, research security, and support for innovation, including for dual-use and defence applications.
- It also strengthens horizontal principles like gender equality, simplification measures for the benefit of the beneficiaries, as well as broad and diversified collaboration throughout the Union.
Main changes to four Pillars
- Pillar I (Excellent Science) - there are adjustments to the governance of the European Research Council and a focus on early-career researchers is added;
- Pillar II (Competitiveness and Society) provides further details on the ‘society’ component and maintains the balance between bottom-up research and policy priorities. A clear process is foreseen for the member states involvement in the priority setting of the entire pillar, most notably the European partnerships;
- Pillar III (Innovation) expands the European Innovation Council’s role, allowing for support of deep-tech innovation—including limited support to defence applications.
- Pillar IV (European Research Area), the agreement grants the Council a more prominent role in co-defining infrastructure support areas and further develops the framework for widening measures.
Governance rules
The governance model proposed by the Council’s position significantly enhances the Council and member States’ role in shaping Horizon Europe’s strategic direction. “Careful consideration” has been given to ensuring coherence between Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund, particularly related to the collaborative research and innovation component, while preserving Horizon Europe's self-standing and excellence-driven nature.
Clearer and stronger European partnerships
The Council position clarifies and strengthens provisions regarding European partnerships between the Union and public and/or private partners — such as industry associations, member states, universities, and foundations — to address European and global challenges, as well as to boost EU’s competitiveness. The Council and its advisory bodies will have a stronger role in identifying priority areas and shaping the strategic direction of partnerships. A stronger lifecycle approach covering the partnerships’ creation, monitoring, evaluation and phasing-out is proposed, while improving coherence with other Union programmes.
Simplification
To support simplification, the Council’s position clarifies eligibility and proposal evaluation rules, making participation in Horizon Europe more transparent and streamlined. Evaluation and implementation procedures aim to improve access, openness, and the impact of Union funding. Key measures include simplified cost options for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), broader use of lump-sum funding, and reduced reporting requirements to lower the administrative burden and risk of errors. The text also simplifies the reimbursement of personnel costs through the use of personnel unit costs, helping participants reduce complexity and facilitate reporting.
Cyprus minister says deal will help EU's competitiveness
Nicodemos Damianou, deputy minister for research, innovation and digital policy of Cyprus, current holder of the presidency of the EU Council, said: “Research and innovation are among Europe’s greatest strategic assets. By investing in scientific excellence and turning breakthrough research into innovative products, technologies and industries, we strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. The Cyprus presidency delivered on Horizon Europe with this ambition, reinforcing its role as key instrument for securing Europe’s place at the forefront of global innovation and translating knowledge into tangible benefits for our economy, society and security.”
To discover all our content, subscribe now
Join our subscriber community by selecting your preferred subscription plan (monthly or annual) or try it for free for 30-day.