European Universities Push for Deeper Integration of Higher Education in Key EU Funding Mechanisms

European universities and research networks are intensifying calls for explicit recognition of higher education within the proposed European Competitiveness Fund and stronger synergies with the successor to Horizon Europe. This push comes amid ongoing negotiations for the EU's next long-term budget covering 2028 to 2034, where competitiveness and innovation stand at the forefront of policy discussions.

The European University Association, alongside groups such as the Coimbra Group, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, and others, has highlighted the need to preserve and strengthen references to higher education institutions and European University Alliances in the regulatory framework. These alliances, which foster cross-border collaboration among universities, are seen as vital for translating research into practical outcomes that boost Europe's global standing.

Context of the European Competitiveness Fund Proposal

The European Commission introduced the European Competitiveness Fund as part of its July 2025 proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework. With an allocated budget of 234 billion euros, the fund aims to accelerate strategic technologies and support the scaling of innovations across the continent. It is designed to complement Horizon Europe, which carries a proposed budget of 175 billion euros for the same period, creating a combined investment pool exceeding 400 billion euros focused on research, innovation, and deployment.

Officials describe the connection between the two instruments as tight, with Horizon Europe emphasizing fundamental research and collaborative projects while the Competitiveness Fund targets later-stage scaling, market uptake, and industrial competitiveness. Universities argue that without clear safeguards and explicit inclusion of higher education elements, the distinct roles could blur, potentially undermining the autonomy that has made Horizon Europe successful.

University Networks Issue Joint Appeals

In statements issued throughout spring 2026, university representatives urged the Council of the European Union to build upon amendments already advanced by the European Parliament. These amendments seek to clarify pathways that link research outputs directly to competitiveness goals while maintaining higher education as a core pillar.

One prominent example comes from the Unite! alliance, whose executive board released an urgent statement emphasizing that Europe's long-term competitiveness depends on robust universities. Similar positions from networks like EMERGE and the League of European Research Universities stress that weakening legal foundations for higher education in the Competitiveness Fund risks reversing progress in collaborative education and research initiatives.

Stakeholders point to the European Research Area as a framework where universities already play multifaceted roles, from talent development to knowledge transfer. They advocate for structured interfaces that allow seamless movement of projects between the two funding streams without creating administrative silos or subordinating one programme to the other.

Budget Figures and Strategic Priorities

The proposed allocations reflect Europe's ambition to close gaps with global competitors in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Horizon Europe would continue supporting excellent science, industrial leadership, and societal challenges, while the Competitiveness Fund would mobilize additional resources for deployment and infrastructure.

University leaders note that higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to bridge these phases. They train the next generation of researchers, host innovation ecosystems, and partner with industry on applied projects. Explicit inclusion in the Competitiveness Fund would enable alliances to expand their activities in skills development and regional innovation hubs.

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Perspectives from Key European University Groups

The European University Association has coordinated multiple joint statements with research stakeholders, calling for coherent positions from member states. In one recent analysis, the association and partners provided detailed recommendations on how the interface between the programmes should operate in practice, including governance mechanisms that ensure predictability for associated countries and institutions.

Coimbra Group representatives have welcomed Parliament's work on Horizon Europe pathway actions, which they see as a model for effective coordination. They argue that such mechanisms would allow universities to contribute more directly to competitiveness objectives while preserving academic freedom and the civilian focus of research programmes.

Other voices, including those from the Young European Research Universities Network, highlight the risk of dual-use ambiguities if connections are not clearly defined. They stress the importance of maintaining the integrity of Horizon Europe as a programme dedicated to open, collaborative research.

Implications for Universities and Researchers Across Europe

For academics and administrators at institutions in countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, and smaller member states, these developments carry direct consequences. Stronger links could unlock new funding streams for collaborative projects that combine education, research, and innovation, particularly through European University Alliances that already span multiple countries.

University staff involved in grant writing and project management would benefit from streamlined processes that reduce duplication. At the same time, concerns remain about potential shifts in priorities that might favor applied outcomes over fundamental inquiry, affecting disciplines across the humanities, social sciences, and basic sciences.

Regional disparities could also narrow if alliances receive dedicated support for capacity building in less research-intensive areas, fostering more balanced participation in EU programmes.

Challenges in Implementation and Proposed Solutions

Negotiations between the Commission, Parliament, and Council involve balancing ambitious competitiveness targets with the need for programme autonomy. University groups propose several practical steps, including dedicated coordination bodies, clear eligibility criteria for higher education participants in the Competitiveness Fund, and monitoring frameworks that track synergies without imposing rigid hierarchies.

They also recommend building on existing successful models, such as the European Universities Initiative, which has demonstrated how alliances can drive both educational mobility and research collaboration. Expanding these models within the new funding architecture would require legislative clarity to avoid legal uncertainties.

Stakeholders emphasize the value of inclusive consultations that incorporate feedback from university leadership, early-career researchers, and national funding agencies to ensure the final regulations reflect operational realities on the ground.

Future Outlook for EU Research and Innovation Policy

As the Council prepares its positions in the coming months, the trajectory of these programmes will shape Europe's research landscape for the next decade. A balanced approach that integrates higher education explicitly could position universities as central engines of competitiveness, supporting everything from talent pipelines to technology transfer.

Observers expect further joint statements and advocacy efforts from university networks as trilogue negotiations approach. Success will depend on maintaining political momentum behind Parliament's amendments while addressing member state priorities on budget allocation and governance.

In the longer term, effective linkages between the Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe successor could serve as a model for other policy areas, demonstrating how education and research investments deliver measurable returns in innovation and societal resilience.

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Practical Steps for University Leaders and Academics

Institutions are encouraged to engage actively with national ministries and EU delegations to convey the benefits of explicit higher education references. Preparing position papers, participating in public consultations, and highlighting case studies from existing alliances can strengthen advocacy efforts.

Researchers may explore opportunities to align project proposals with emerging priorities around strategic technologies, while ensuring proposals retain strong educational components. Monitoring updates from the European University Association and similar bodies provides timely guidance on evolving policy positions.

Ultimately, these efforts aim to ensure that Europe's universities remain vibrant contributors to both knowledge creation and economic competitiveness in an increasingly competitive global environment.