One year after the European Commission unveiled its proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, negotiations have entered a decisive political phase. Since July 2025, discussions on the future 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and Erasmus+ have evolved considerably. The European Parliament and the Council have now developed their respective positions, bringing greater clarity on the direction of travel while highlighting the key political questions that remain unresolved.
As discussions continue within the Council of the EU under the Irish Presidency, the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of Europe’s investment in research, innovation and education.
A year of significant progress
Over the past twelve months, negotiations have moved well beyond the Commission’s initial proposals. The European Parliament has adopted its position on the overall EU budget, while the work on the sectoral legislation for FP10, the ECF and Erasmus+ has advanced substantially. At the same time, the Council has reached a Partial General Approach on all three legislative proposals, establishing its negotiating position on the non-financial aspects of the programmes.
FP10: preserving Europe’s research excellence
Discussions on FP10 have increasingly focused on four key issues: the programme’s overall budget, its relationship with the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), the governance of collaborative research and the balance between scientific excellence and strategic priorities.
The European Parliament’s draft report proposed a larger overall budget of €220 billion while reinforcing FP10’s autonomy as the EU’s flagship programme for excellent, collaborative and bottom-up research. Particular emphasis has been placed on protecting the European Research Council (ERC), the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and strengthening collaborative research under Pillar II.
Within the Council, discussions have focused on strengthening Member States’ involvement in strategic governance while maintaining FP10 as a stand-alone programme operating in close coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund. The Council has also introduced important provisions on research security, dual-use activities and widening participation.
Clarifying the role of the European Competitiveness Fund
The proposed European Competitiveness Fund remains one of the most significant institutional innovations within the next EU budget. Over the past year, discussions have increasingly clarified the respective roles of FP10 and the ECF. There is wider recognition across the EU Institutions that both programmes should operate, despite discussions are now focusing on how this relationship will operate in practice, particularly regarding governance, programming and the implementation of collaborative research activities.
Erasmus+: maintaining Europe’s flagship education programme
Negotiations have also advanced on the future Erasmus+ programme. While the Commission proposes a broader programme with a stronger focus on lifelong learning, skills and talent development, both the Parliament and the Council have emphasised the importance of preserving Erasmus+ as the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport.
The Parliament’s Rapporteurs have called for a stronger overall budget and greater protection of higher education mobility and cooperation, while the Council has already adopted its negotiating position on the legislative proposal.
What’s next?
While progresses and changes to ECF, FP10 and Erasmus+ proposals have been substantial, the final budget and several governance questions will ultimately depend on the outcome of the wider MFF negotiations within trilogues.
YERUN’s contribution to the debate
Throughout the negotiations, YERUN has actively contributed to the European debate through policy analysis, institutional dialogue and joint advocacy with partner organisations. Over the past year, YERUN has engaged extensively with Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and national representatives in the Council, while coordinating a series of joint statements, policy amendments and events on FP10, the ECF and Erasmus+.
Across these discussions, YERUN has consistently advocated for:
• An ambitious long-term investment in research, innovation and education;
• FP10 as a stand-alone, excellence-driven Framework Programme;
• A complementary and well-defined relationship between FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund; and
• A strong Erasmus+ programme capable of supporting Europe’s talent, education and competitiveness.
Looking ahead
Although significant progress has been made over the past year, the most politically sensitive discussions are still ahead. As negotiations move towards the interinstitutional negotiations phase, agreement on the next EU budget will determine not only the size of FP10, the ECF and Erasmus+, but also Europe’s long-term capacity to invest in knowledge, talent and innovation.
YERUN will continue to contribute constructively to these discussions and to advocate for a European funding architecture that enables research, innovation and education to fully support Europe’s future competitiveness and prosperity.
One year after the Commission presented its proposals, the debate has become much clearer. The coming months will determine not only the budgets of FP10, the European Competitiveness Fund and Erasmus+, but also Europe’s long-term ambition for research, innovation and education. YERUN will continue to advocate for a funding architecture that allows universities to deliver the excellence, talent and innovation Europe needs. – Silvia Gomez Recio, YERUN Secretary General
