EU's higher education and research agenda: what to expect in 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 academic year should bring many turning points in EU policy on research, higher education and innovation. Several proposals that the Commission has been preparing for months will be presented, whilst others, which have been under discussion for a year, are expected to enter a more advanced stage of negotiation.

Unveiled in July 2025, the European Commission’s proposal for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 will be at the centre of every discussion within the academic community. Behind the budget negotiations lies the future of several programmes fundamental to universities and researchers: Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). The MFF is also expected to determine the continued funding of European university…