In a statement published on 9 October, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) has called on the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU to ensure that the next EU long-term budget provides a strong financial foundation for research, innovation and education.
Ahead of the October European Council, LERU set out its priorities for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, including a budget of at least €200 billion for the next EU research and innovation programme, FP10; at least doubling the European Research Council’s budget; substantially strengthening the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions; an adequately funded European Competitiveness Fund; and an Erasmus+ budget of at least €60 billion.
The statement highlights the importance of sustained investment, international cooperation and academic freedom in supporting scientific breakthroughs and Europe’s future prosperity. LERU also calls for the next EU budget to provide the resources and flexibility needed to meet Europe’s research, innovation and education ambitions.
The statement follows the publication of Investing in What Makes Europe Strong: Research and Innovation in the Next EU Budget, a report produced by LERU and six other European university and research organisations, bringing together key messages from discussions on the next EU budget.
As Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, discussions on the next EU budget form part of the wider European conversation about research, innovation and the role of universities in addressing shared challenges.
Read the full LERU statement: From Nobel ambition to budget decisions: Europe must invest in its future