Open Letter of scientists and entrepreneurs regarding MFF and FP10
June 10, 2025
After the presentation of the European Competitiveness Fund, there has been much uncertainty regarding the positioning and funding for Research and Innovation in the next European Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) period 2028–34. Fortunately, in the last weeks, the EC president Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that ‘the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will stay as a self-standing programme’. However, a clear plan has not been presented and a tight connection to the Competitiveness Fund has been indicated.
As scientists and entrepreneurs, represented by the Initiative for Science in Europe and many other science and industry associations, we want to firmly stress the importance of a ring-fenced R&I budget of critical mass funding (220 Billion EUR) to ensure frontier research (ERC), training of scientists and entrepreneurs (MSCA) and R&I including collaborative basic research (current pillar 2) and the EIC (current pillar 3), which form the essential basis to any innovation.
Science is under threat. The (geo)political situation within and beyond Europe have created an unstable, unpredictable research and innovation climate, without “science at its heart”. Academic freedom is at stake, there are major budget cuts in research and education in many nations (across Europe and beyond with nations spending well below the agreed 3% GDP on R&I), the generation of scientific knowledge is being undermined. There is a focus on defence and achieving/maintaining an attractive framework for companies and industry. At the same time, it is important to become autonomous in many areas of R&I and the economy.
However, a sustainable, autonomous, and economically sound future for Europe relies on the creation of new knowledge and technologies, requiring substantial investments in research and innovation, as clearly highlighted in the reports from Letta, Draghi, Heitor and Ehler as well as in the Warsaw declaration of research ministers. The current focus on Choose Europe, positioning Europe as the place for science, attracting the best (international) scientists via for example additional investments in ERC, exchanges of researchers via Marie Curie programs, attention to research careers, etc. are essential to extrapolate in the next MFF period. Science and innovation need stable and reliable funding for results to come to fruition and to translate into societal and economic benefit. Safeguarding Europe's leadership in research and innovation demands a firm and sustained political and financial commitment—starting with the next MFF.
ISE has, in consultation with its members and many stakeholders, set out clear priorities for a next Framework Programme, which are outlined here: https://initiative-se.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/25_02_27_ISE_FP10-Main_recommendations.pdf. As scientists and entrepreneurs, we therefore urge the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States to recognize the importance of a substantial and ring-fenced budget for an EU Research and Innovation Programme, independent from and not “swallowed up” within the Competitiveness Fund.
Signatories (organizational & individual):
ISE - Initiative for Science in Europe, Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp (President)
EPSO - European Plant Science Organization, Dr Karin Metzlaff (Executive Director)
EASN - European Aerospace Science Network, Prof. Andreas Strohmayer (Chairman)
ICoRSA – International Consortium of Research Staff Associations, Dr Gianna Avellis (Chair)
FEBS - Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Dr. Melita Vidakovic (Science and Society committee)
EASA - The European Association of Social Anthropologists, Dr. Alexandra Oancă (Board)
ATSPB - Austrian Association of Plant Biology, Prof. Wolfram Weckwerth (President)
EGU – European Geosciences Union e.V., Prof. Peter van der Beek (President)
AERG – Association of ERC Grantees, Prof. Dr Axel Cleeremans (President)
EURODOC - European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, Dr. Pil Maria Saugmann (President)
EPS - European Physical Society, Prof. Mairi Sakellariadou (President)
MCAA - Marie Curie Alumni Association, Dr. Gian Maria Greco (Chair)
Prof. Kurt Deketelaere - Professor of Law, KU Leuven, Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities (LERU)
Initiative for Science in Europe (Prof. Dr. Moniek Tromp, President) Contact the author of the petition