Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted a report on the assessment of Horizon Europe and recommendations for FP10. EURASHE welcomes the report and congratulates its rapporteur Christian Ehler. Along with other university associations, EURASHE sent comments on the report as it was going through the committee stage.
According to the report, the European Parliament “Strongly believes that, beyond their key role for long-term and sustainable competitiveness, applied research, development and innovation policies are instrumental to avoid, anticipate and cope with the main global and societal challenges”.
EURASHE is pleased that the report includes many of the elements of its FP10 position paper. In particular, the report:
- Argues for an integrated and complementary approach between place-based and excellence-driven R&I activities;
- Notes that a thriving European innovation ecosystem requires strong and well-connected place-based innovation ecosystems, and that universities can be drivers;
- Underlines the importance of an open and accessible programme with low thresholds for applying in order to ensure participation of newcomers;
- Emphasises that collaborative research is at the heart of the European framework programmes;
- Highlights the key role of the EIT HEI Initiative in closing the innovation capacity divide, while asking for more synergies with the I3 Instrument (regional innovation cooperation) and the Preparatory Action on Innovation for place-based transformation;
- Supports the knowledge triangle approach to innovation (integration of education, research and enterprise);
- Welcomes the positive results of widening actions and notes the negative consequences of the innovation gap.
We call on the European Commission to adopt a proposal for FP10 that maintains a balance between basic and applied research, strengthens support for innovation ecosystems and the key role of organisations such as the EIT in building capacity, and develops an integrated and inclusive European Research Area.
