R&I in the next EU budget: investing in Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness
10 April 2026
We are pleased to invite you to follow online the high-level event, “R&I in the next EU budget: investing in Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness”, hosted on Monday 20 April, from 11.00 to 12.30 (CEST), at the European Parliament in Brussels, under the auspices of MEP Carla Tavares (BUDG Committee), co-rapporteur on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
This event will place research and innovation at the centre of the discussion on Europe’s future priorities and investments. It will move beyond a narrow budgetary debate about what can be preserved, and instead address a more strategic question: what must Europe invest if it is serious about delivering on its ambitions?
In this context, the event will make the case that €220 billion for FP10 is a credible and politically coherent baseline for a Union seeking to strengthen its competitiveness, prosperity and resilience. The discussion will underline that research and innovation are not a policy silo, but a foundational capability that supports progress across Europe’s key priorities. A strong FP10 is therefore about far more than research policy alone. It is about Europe’s ability to drive economic strength, industrial renewal, security, preparedness, sustainability, public health, digital leadership and societal well-being.
Following opening remarks by MEP Tavares and a keynote address by Prof. Manuel Heitor, the event will feature a hight-level panel with representatives from the Parliament, universities – including the President of the Executive Board of our member Leiden University, Prof. Luc Sels – and other stakeholders. The panel will address why FP10 matters for Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity and resilience and the need for stronger financial commitments. The meeting will conclude with closing remarks by MEP René Repasi (ITRE Committee), rapporteur for the specific programme for the implementation of FP10.
Please note that attendance at the European Parliament is by invitation only. However, we would warmly welcome you to join the meeting online using the following link.
This event is co-organised by the Coimbra Group in collaboration with its close partners within the informal group of university associations (including CESAER, EUA, The Guild, LERU and YERUN). It contributes to the Research Matters Campaign launched in 2024 to increase Europe’s funding in R&I.
Indicative programme:
11:00 -11:15 | Welcome and opening
- Carla Tavares, Member of European Parliament, co-rapporteur on the next MFF
11:15 -11:30 | Keynote address: why Europe’s future depends on stronger investment in research and innovation
- Manuel Heitor, Chair of European Commission expert group on the future of Horizon Europe
11:30 – 12:15 High-level panel discussion: why FP10 matters for Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity and resilience
- Bertrand Bouchet, CEA Representative in Brussels; CEA is a member of European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO)
- Lina Galvez, Member of the European Parliament
- Magnus Madfors, Vice President, Head of Standard & Industry Initiatives Europe & Africa Group Function Technology, Ericsson
- Luc Sels, President of Leiden University
- Carla Tavares, Member of European Parliament, co-rapporteur on the next MFF
Moderator: Silvia Gómez Recio, Secretary General, YERUN
12:15 – 12:30 Closing
- René Repasi, Member of European Parliament