YERUN – Young European Research Universities Network – and leading university networks support the open letter addressed to the Presidents of the EU Institutions, calling for a bold and ambitious vision for Framework Programme 10 (FP10), one that strengthens Europe’s position as a global leader in research and innovation (R&I).
Universities play a critical role in generating breakthrough ideas, fostering innovation ecosystems, and preparing future generations of researchers, innovators, and leaders. A well-funded and excellence-driven FP10 is essential to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of scientific discovery, technological advancements, and societal progress.
As highlighted in the letter, Europe’s competitiveness depends on its ability to invest in research and innovation—ensuring sustainable funding, fostering international collaboration, and supporting bottom-up excellence through key instruments such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Additionally, a strong FP10 must continue to support interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration to translate research into impactful innovation.
This call for a reinforced and well-resourced FP10 is fully aligned with YERUN’s ongoing advocacy for a strong European R&I ecosystem.
YERUN has consistently emphasised the need for stable, long-term investment in research, innovation, and education, advocating for an autonomous and well-funded Framework Programme that fosters cross-border collaboration and scientific excellence. Just as YERUN has called for increased R&I funding—including a significantly larger budget for FP10—it also strongly supports the protection of ring-fenced budgets for key EU programmes like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ to prevent reallocation to other priorities. Moreover, YERUN shares the belief that FP10 should maintain a bottom-up, excellence-driven approach, ensuring that funding mechanisms like the European Research Council, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and the European Innovation Council continue to empower researchers and innovators. These priorities embody YERUN’s broader commitment to strengthening Europe’s research landscape, fostering knowledge-driven innovation, and enhancing the EU’s global competitiveness. This commitment is reflected in:
- Our joint letter with LERU – League of European Research Universities- to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging Europe to strengthen its research and innovation foundations by securing the necessary resources to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
- Our contribution to the EU public consultation on the Single Market Strategy 2025, advocating for the inclusion of the “fifth freedom”—the free movement of knowledge—as a cornerstone of the updated strategy. Recognising knowledge as a fundamental pillar of the Single Market is crucial to enhancing Europe’s research, innovation, and education landscape.
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Supported by
- Orla Feely, President of CESAER, President of University College Dublin
- Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Executive Board of Coimbra Group, Vice-President of Université de Poitiers
- Josep M Garrell, President of the European University Association (EUA)
- Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)
- Michael Hoch, Chair of German U15, Rector of the University of Bonn
- Koenraad Debackere, President of KU Leuven Association
- Chris Day, Chair of the Russell Group, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University
- Luciana Vaccaro, President of swissuniversities, Rector of HES-SO
- Angela Ittel, Co-President of TU9 – German Universities of Technology, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig
- Peter Middendorf, Co-President of TU9 – German Universities of Technology, Rector of the University of Stuttgart
- Luciano Saso, Secretary-General of the UNICA Network
- Dag Rune Olsen, President of YERUN – Young European Research Universities Network-, Rector of UiT – The Artic University of Tromsø
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If you are interested, you can express support here.
