European research funding could undergo a significant shift if a joint proposal from France and Poland gains traction among EU member states. The Franco-Polish plan calls for Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme, to provide long-term, substantial financing directly to pan-European networks of laboratories aligned with key EU priorities, rather than limiting support to individual projects.
Background on Horizon Europe and Current Funding Models
Horizon Europe runs from 2021 to 2027 with an indicative budget of €93.5 billion. It supports collaborative research projects, individual researcher grants through the European Research Council, and widening participation actions. Funding has traditionally flowed to specific projects with defined timelines and deliverables, often involving consortia of universities, research organisations, and industry partners across member states and associated countries.
The programme emphasises excellence, impact, and addressing societal challenges such as climate change, health, and digital transformation. National excellence initiatives in several countries have complemented EU efforts by providing sustained support to top-performing institutions and laboratories.
The Franco-Polish Proposal: Core Elements
France and Poland have put forward a proposal for “European excellence initiatives” within the next phase of Horizon Europe. The idea draws directly from France’s laboratoires d’excellence (Labex) programme, launched in 2010 under the Investments for the Future initiative. That national scheme awarded long-term funding to outstanding French research units to strengthen their international competitiveness and strategic capacity.
Under the Franco-Polish vision, Horizon Europe would extend similar logic at the European level. Selected pan-European networks of laboratories would receive significant, multi-year financing to build critical mass, foster deeper collaboration, and align research agendas with EU strategic priorities. This approach aims to move beyond project-based cycles toward more stable institutional support for excellence clusters spanning multiple countries.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Early Reactions
EU governments are actively considering the proposal as discussions advance on the successor programme to Horizon Europe. Proponents argue that direct laboratory funding could enhance Europe’s global research standing by creating durable networks capable of tackling complex, long-horizon challenges. Critics and observers note the need to balance such initiatives with existing project funding mechanisms and widening participation goals to avoid concentrating resources in already strong research hubs.
University leaders and research administrators across Europe are monitoring developments closely, as the change could influence institutional strategies for securing sustained EU support and attracting top talent.
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Implications for European Universities and Research Organisations
Direct funding to laboratory networks would offer universities greater predictability in planning research infrastructure, hiring senior researchers, and maintaining long-term projects. Institutions in both established research nations and widening countries could benefit from participation in pan-European consortia, potentially strengthening cross-border mobility and knowledge exchange.
PhD candidates and early-career researchers might gain access to more stable environments with dedicated resources for training and career development. Administrators would need to adapt grant management practices to handle larger, longer-duration awards focused on institutional capacity rather than discrete deliverables.
Alignment with Existing European Excellence Initiatives
The proposal builds on the existing European Excellence Initiative under Horizon Europe’s Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence pillar. That action supports alliances of higher education institutions to raise scientific excellence and knowledge valorisation through geographically inclusive cooperation. The Franco-Polish idea extends this concept by emphasising sustained laboratory-level funding across borders.
National models in France and Poland, alongside similar programmes in other member states, provide precedents for how excellence funding can complement project-based support without replacing it.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Implementing direct laboratory funding would require careful design to maintain transparency, competitive selection, and alignment with EU treaty principles on research policy. Questions around governance of pan-European networks, performance evaluation over multi-year periods, and integration with national funding streams remain central to ongoing discussions.
Ensuring broad geographic participation and avoiding duplication with existing instruments such as European Research Council grants or research infrastructure actions will be key priorities for policymakers.
Future Outlook for Research Funding in Europe
As negotiations on the post-2027 framework programme progress, the Franco-Polish proposal represents one of several ideas under consideration to strengthen Europe’s research ecosystem. If adopted, it could mark a notable evolution in how Horizon Europe supports excellence, complementing project funding with institutional-level investment in laboratory networks.
Universities, research organisations, and national ministries are expected to engage actively in the consultation process to shape the final design. The outcome will influence Europe’s ability to attract and retain research talent while addressing strategic priorities over the coming decade.
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Opportunities for Academics and Job Seekers
Researchers and administrators interested in European funding opportunities can monitor updates through official channels of the European Commission and national contact points. Participation in emerging networks could open new avenues for collaboration, career advancement, and institutional development.
Academic job markets in Europe may see increased demand for expertise in managing large-scale, long-term research programmes if the proposal advances.
