Background on the Aurora Universities Network and European R&I Policy
The Aurora Universities Network represents a coalition of research-intensive institutions across Europe committed to advancing societal impact through collaborative research and education. Members include Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the University of Iceland, University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, Università Federico II of Naples in Italy, and Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain, among others. This alliance has long advocated for policies that strengthen Europe's research ecosystem, particularly in the context of successive EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation.
European Framework Programmes have served as the primary vehicle for transnational R&I funding since their inception. Horizon Europe, the current programme running from 2021 to 2027, operates with a budget of approximately €95.5 billion. It supports excellence in science, industrial competitiveness, and responses to societal challenges through pillars focused on frontier research, collaborative projects, and innovation ecosystems.
The Call for an Ambitious FP10 Budget
In a recent high-level event, the Aurora Universities Network joined other European higher education organisations in urging policymakers to allocate a substantially larger budget to the next Framework Programme, known as FP10 or the successor to Horizon Europe for 2028-2034. Speakers emphasised the need for at least €200 billion to maintain Europe's competitive edge in global research and innovation.
This position aligns with broader calls from university associations and aligns with draft reports from the European Parliament advocating for significantly increased investment. The emphasis is on ensuring that FP10 remains a standalone programme with a ring-fenced budget, rather than being subsumed into larger competitiveness funds that could dilute its focus on fundamental research and long-term scientific advancement.
Context of the European Commission's Proposal
The European Commission proposed a budget of €175 billion for the Horizon Europe programme covering 2028 to 2034. While this represents an increase over the current cycle, stakeholders in the higher education sector argue it falls short of what is required to address pressing challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, health crises, and geopolitical competition.
University leaders stress that adequate funding is essential for supporting the European Research Council grants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for researcher mobility, and large-scale collaborative projects that drive breakthroughs. Without sufficient resources, Europe risks losing ground to major players like the United States and China in key scientific domains.
Stakeholder Perspectives from European Universities
Rectors and research leaders from Aurora member institutions have highlighted how increased R&I investment directly benefits academic communities. For early-career researchers, including PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows, robust funding translates into more opportunities for international collaboration, access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, and career development pathways.
Administrators at universities across the network note that FP10 resources enable institutions to attract and retain top talent, foster interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to regional innovation ecosystems. They point to successful outcomes from Horizon Europe projects in areas like sustainable energy and public health as evidence of the programme's value when properly resourced.
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Implications for Higher Education Institutions
A stronger budget for FP10 would have profound effects on European universities and colleges. It would support expanded participation in joint degree programmes, enhanced mobility schemes for students and staff, and greater investment in research infrastructure at institutions of varying sizes and locations.
Smaller or widening-participation universities stand to gain particularly from targeted allocations that promote inclusivity and capacity building. This could help address disparities in research output between different regions of Europe while strengthening the overall excellence of the continent's higher education sector.
Challenges in Current R&I Funding Landscape
Despite the successes of existing programmes, stakeholders identify several hurdles. Administrative burdens associated with grant applications and reporting remain high, potentially discouraging participation from smaller teams or institutions with limited support staff. Additionally, the integration of research funding with broader economic competitiveness objectives raises concerns about the balance between applied innovation and curiosity-driven discovery.
University networks like Aurora advocate for simplified procedures, predictable multi-year funding cycles, and safeguards that preserve the core mission of advancing knowledge for societal benefit. They also call for stronger synergies between FP10 and other EU instruments such as Erasmus+ without compromising either programme's integrity.
Potential Impacts on Research Careers and Innovation
Increased investment would likely expand opportunities for researchers at all career stages. More funding for individual grants and collaborative consortia could lead to higher success rates in competitive calls, reducing the time academics spend on unsuccessful proposals.
On the innovation side, stronger R&I budgets support technology transfer offices at universities, spin-out companies, and partnerships with industry. This ecosystem approach helps translate academic discoveries into practical solutions, contributing to economic growth, job creation in knowledge-intensive sectors, and Europe's strategic autonomy in critical technologies.
Comparative International Context
Europe's Framework Programmes operate in a global environment where competitors are scaling up their own investments. The United States continues to bolster federal research agencies, while China pursues ambitious national strategies in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
European university leaders argue that a €200 billion commitment would signal serious intent to compete at the highest level. It would also reinforce Europe's values-based approach to research governance, emphasising open science, ethical standards, and inclusive participation.
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Future Outlook and Policy Recommendations
As negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the specific FP10 regulation advance, the coming months will be decisive. Aurora and allied organisations plan continued engagement with the European Parliament, Council, and Commission to build support for ambitious targets.
Recommendations include maintaining a dedicated R&I envelope, prioritising excellence alongside widening participation, and ensuring long-term stability for university alliances and large-scale research infrastructures. Success will depend on political will at the member-state level to prioritise knowledge investment amid competing budgetary pressures.
Actionable Insights for the Academic Community
University administrators and researchers can prepare by strengthening internal grant support services, fostering cross-border partnerships in advance of calls, and contributing data on the societal returns of past Framework Programme investments. Engagement through national rectors' conferences and European associations amplifies collective voices in the policy debate.
PhD-track job seekers and early-career academics should monitor developments closely, as expanded budgets could translate into more postdoctoral positions, fellowship opportunities, and international projects in the years ahead.
