Europe faces enormous challenges. A larger and more long-term research and innovation funding program is essential for Europe to address the growing skills shortage and other societal challenges, as well as to strengthen the Union’s global competitiveness.
Europe needs a long-term and ambitious budget for the research and innovation framework program, which is based on high quality and excellence. The framework program should remain an independent R&D funding program
On July 16 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034. The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation—still named Horizon Europe—continues with familiar elements, and funding is proposed to nearly double to €175 billion (FP9: €95.5 billion). The proposal aligns with Finland’s EU policy priorities emphasizing research and innovation.
The proposal gives a strong signal that Europe is investing in sustainable and transformative growth and in addressing complex societal challenges, driven by knowledge. Inclusion of cross-cutting principles such as the promotion of open science, respect for research integrity and ethics, and academic freedom emphasizes the key values of research, and Europe.
However, some elements require clarification, such as the reference to close links with the regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and the shared “harmonised rulebook” for funding instruments.
Unifi supports a smooth continuum between Horizon Europe and the ECF, but emphasizes the importance of Horizon Europe’s independent regulatory framework based on scientific excellence and competition.
Unifi’ s key Positions
Horizon Europe must be based on scientific excellence and researcher-driven choices. A broad research and knowledge base is a competitive advantage and a resilience factor for both Europe and Finland.
- Curiosity driven groundbreaking research, applied research, innovation, and development activities are not separate entities but parts of continuous and interconnected processes. Curiosity driven research plays a crucial role in the success of the Competitiveness fund and other European competitiveness efforts.
- Investing in excellent research ensures that Europe and Finland have access to the latest expertise and experts. This is critically important in crisis.
- ERC and MSCA funding must remain bottom-up, based solely on competition and research excellence, and must not be subordinated to political objectives.
- Pillar II projects are a significant way to conduct unique collaboration between research institutions, companies, and societal actors. The projects also involve hundreds of European companies and a significant number of Finnish SMEs, for whom the projects are a unique pathway to this level of collaboration. Universities locally engage Finnish SMEs, creating impact. TRLs should not be raised too high within Horizon Europe, in order to preserve this broad impact and to ensure that Horizon Europe and the competitiveness fund form a complementary continuum.
- Excellent curiosity driven research plays a central role in collaboration with industry, notably also at lower technology readiness levels. A general change in mindset is needed for industry to recognize the potential of research results and benefit from investing in further research and projects. Pillar II has a significant role in this.
The proposed €175 billion investment in Horizon Europe is not guaranteed, and some member states oppose increasing the budget. Finland must defend the proposal decisively.
- Finland is currently a net beneficiary of Horizon Europe, and the Finnish government aims increase the returns significantly.
- Universities have secured over 40% of Horizon Europe funding allocated to Finnish applicants. Success in a highly competitive environment for funding and collaboration requires a high national level of science and research and sufficient resources to the universities.
The Horizon Europe’s unique role in multilateral international cooperation is rightly recognized. It is very positive that the program will continue to connect expertise and researchers with third countries also in the future.
- Unifi emphasizes that the International cooperation should only be restricted in exceptional cases, not broadly. Neither should it be unnecessarily restricted due to the “rulebook” shared with the European competitiveness fund.
- Association agreements with non-EU countries sharing common principles are an effective way to enhance collaboration and should be implemented without unnecessary delays right from the beginning of the program.
Dual-use research “label” should not compromise the quality criteria for Horizon Europe funding, nor should it unnecessarily restrict academic freedom, scientific research, or international collaboration.
- Europe needs a broad and high-quality research and knowledge base to build security in a tense geopolitical climate. Dual-use potential of research should be seen as a consequence of high-level research rather than a strategic preselection. The highest possible quality and expertise also best serve comprehensive security and defence
Further information: Unifi Executive Director Heikki Holopainen, p. +358 (0)400 639331