Coimbra Group and European research and university organizations call for at least €200 billion for Horizon Europe
09 September 2026
Seven leading European research and higher education organisations urge EU policymakers to secure ambitious, predictable and balanced investment in research and innovation in the next EU long-term budget.
The Coimbra Group, together with CESAER, EUA, EU-LIFE, The Guild, LERU and YERUN, is calling on EU Member States and the European Parliament to secure a budget of at least €200 billion for the next Horizon Europe programme, as negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 enter a decisive phase.
In a joint statement, “Investing in what makes Europe strong”, the seven organisations stress that the choices made today will shape Europe’s capacity to generate breakthrough discoveries, drive social progress, strengthen innovation and build long-term prosperity, resilience and competitiveness for decades to come.
While the European Commission has proposed €175 billion for Horizon Europe, the organisations warn that this remains below the level needed to match Europe’s ambitions. Inflation and rising research costs also significantly reduce the increase compared with the current programme in real terms. They therefore call for the budget to be increased to at least €200 billion, in line with the level proposed by the European Parliament.
Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, stressed that “Europe cannot aspire to lead globally in competitiveness, innovation and resilience while underinvesting in the knowledge and talent on which these ambitions depend. A strong and predictable Horizon Europe budget is not simply funding for research: it is an investment in Europe’s capacity to shape its own future. Universities stand ready to deliver, but Europe must give its researchers the means and the long-term certainty to do so.”
Five priorities for the next EU budget
The joint statement calls on Member States and the European Parliament to act on five priorities:
1. Match Europe’s ambitions with at least €200 billion for Horizon Europe.
Research and innovation must be prioritised as a strategic investment underpinning Europe’s competitiveness, security, resilience and prosperity.
2. Guarantee budget certainty for Horizon Europe.
The programme’s financial envelope should constitute a minimum commitment rather than an indicative allocation, providing researchers, universities, research organisations and innovative businesses with the stability and predictability needed for long-term planning and ambitious research.
3. Ensure balanced investment across the research and innovation continuum.
The next programme should provide strong support for excellent frontier research, research talent, early-stage collaborative research, research infrastructures and breakthrough innovation, with particular attention to lower and medium technology readiness levels where public investment plays a critical role.
4. Agree an ambitious EU budget in time for Horizon Europe to start in January 2028.
Timely agreement on both the MFF and Horizon Europe is essential to allow the first funding calls to be launched from 1 January 2028. Delays would create uncertainty for applicants, disrupt European collaboration and slow the implementation of Europe’s research and innovation priorities.
5. Invest in research and innovation at both European and national levels.
An ambitious Horizon Europe must be complemented by stronger national investment. The organisations call for swift progress towards investment of at least 3% of GDP in R&I, including a 1.25% of EU GDP public effort, to be achieved by each Member State by 2030.
The signatories underline that Horizon Europe creates European added value by supporting activities that no Member State can deliver alone, connecting knowledge, talent, institutions, companies and innovation ecosystems across borders.
At a time of significant geopolitical and economic pressures, the organisations acknowledge the constraints facing public budgets but stress that these make clear strategic choices even more important.
Research and innovation are not costs to be contained, but investments in the knowledge, talent and technologies on which Europe’s future strength depends.
Signatories:
Coimbra Group
CESAER
European University Association (EUA)
EU-LIFE
The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
League of European Research Universities (LERU)
Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN)